The arrival of warmer weather with the spring brings with it multiple opportunities for getting outdoors and enjoying a variety of programs and activities through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Here are some of the events coming up in April. All calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Weekends
Guided Hikes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Tours fill on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Saturday, April 6
Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join the reserve’s naturalists every first Saturday to learn about the birds of the Elkhorn Slough. This tour is appropriate for birders from beginner to advanced and is recommended for individuals ages 15 and older. The tour meets at the reserve’s visitor center, but depending on recent sightings, the group may walk the trails or caravan out to adjacent parks and natural spaces. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Sunday, April 7
City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., 45400 County Rd 28H, Woodland. The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. During the tour, participants will caravan along well-maintained gravel roads on the auto tour route. Multiple stops will offer guests an up-close encounter with a diverse array of bird species that inhabit the expansive 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands. To register, visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
Tuesday, April 9
California Bumble Bee Atlas Virtual Training, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., via Zoom. Join a community science collaboration between CDFW and The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees and submit data. To register for the project and sign up for the free, virtual training event, visit www.cabumblebeeatlas.org/events.html. For more information, contact Xerces biologist Leif Richardson at leif.richardson@xerces.org.
Friday, April 12
Wildlife Conservation Board April Retreat, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Natural Resources Agency Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento. The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.
Saturday, April 13
California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 10 a.m. to noon, Pinole Library Meeting Room, 2935 Pinole Valley Road, Pinole. Join a community science collaboration between California Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and hosts Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed and Pinole Creek Allies. Find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Parking is at the library. The group will spend 30 minutes inside talking about bumble bee basics then tour the native plant gardens looking for bees. Watching the training video beforehand is helpful but not required. Sign up for the free, in-person optional training event at www.cabumblebeeatlas.org/events.html. For more information, contact CDFW Pollinator Coordinator Hillary Sardinas at hillary.sardinas@wildlife.ca.gov.
Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour on the second Saturday of each month to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River. Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
Monday, April 15
The 2024-25 hunting items go on sale. Hunters can purchase 2024-25 hunting licenses, tags and validations and apply for the annual Big Game Drawing. Items may be purchased online, at select CDFW license sales offices or license sales agents, or by calling telephone sales at (800) 565-1458. Sales transactions for the Big Game Drawing applications must be completed before midnight on June 2, 2024. Contact a local CDFW license sales office for more information.
Tuesday, April 16
California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, time to be determined, San Jose Scottish Rite Center, 2455 Masonic Drive, San Jose. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Wednesday and Thursday,
April 17 and 18
California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time to be determined, San Jose Scottish Rite Center, 2455 Masonic Drive, San Jose. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
Thursday, April 18
Wildlife Conservation Board Lower American River Conservancy Program Advisory Committee Meeting, 10 a.m. to noon, Natural Resources Agency Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento. This will be a hybrid meeting. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.
Sunday, April 21
Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join CDFW on the third Sunday of each month for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft. This month’s theme will be Earth Day. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email julia.kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Tour, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Explore the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area with a knowledgeable field trip leader on the third Sunday of each month from October to June. Witness flooded seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Depending on the season, spot migrating and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, raptors and wading birds. Note that due to the possibility of flooding, this tour may be canceled. Updates will be sent to registrants via email. To register, visit yolobasin.org/ybwa-tours.
Monday, April 22
California Natural Resources Agency Earth Day Event, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Natural Resources Agency Building, 715 P Street, Sacramento. This event will feature activities and games for all ages, including tours around the native gardens and the opportunity to learn how to submit nature observations on iNaturalist. For more information, visit resources.ca.gov/earthday2024.
Tuesday through Thursday,
April 23 through 25
Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Annual Workshop, Natural Resources Agency Building, 715 P Street, Sacramento. The workshop is a free, hybrid event that will include presentations and posters on monitoring and research being done in the San Francisco Estuary. Registration for attending the in-person and virtual event is required. For more information, visit the IEP Annual Workshop web page.
Friday through Monday,
April 26 through 29
City Nature Challenge. CDFW is participating in the eighth annual City Nature Challenge. Cities around the world collaborate to share observations of nature in their neighborhoods. Anyone can join by making observations from April 26-29 using the iNaturalist app. Check out the participating cities for the 2024 City Nature Challenge at www.citynaturechallenge.org/participating-cities, which includes over 10 large regions of California. If your region is not listed, you can join a global project and take part wherever you live.
Saturday, April 27
California Duck Days, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, 45211 County Rd 32B, Davis. Everybody’s favorite festival is back – California Duck Days. Join in for this annual family-friendly wetlands and wildlife festival. With dozens of local exhibitors, all sorts of wildlife ambassadors and plenty of activities for all ages, there’s something for everybody! Parking is $20 per vehicle. Dogs are not permitted. No pre-registration is necessary. For more information, visit yolobasin.org/california-duck-days.
Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Join an experienced reserve docent on a two-mile walk to open the senses on a mindfulness tour around the slough. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
Tuesday, April 30
Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Elk Hunting, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The goal of this webinar is to teach hunters more about the largest of the California big game animals. We will discuss biology, habitat and population distribution with a wildlife biologist. Then, we’ll discuss hunting tactics with some elk hunters and pick their brains for some practical strategies to make the most of this coveted tag. The webinar will also include some ways for hunters to help with elk conservation efforts. For more information and to register, visit the event registration page.
Deadline to Report Spiny Lobster Report Cards. Lobster divers and hoop netters must report their lobster report card data by April 30. Report card holders who fail to return their Spiny Lobster Report Card by mail or report their data online by the deadline will be assessed a $21.60 non-return fee when they purchase a spiny lobster report card for the following season. Divers and hoop netters may report online or mail their report card to the address printed on the report card. To report online, visit www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin.
Ongoing
Invasive Species Youth Art Contest. Students (grades 2-12) are invited to enter their original artwork piece on the theme “Species Reporters Wanted – What’s the scoop on invasives?” Pick an invasive species and show at least one of the following: where they live, what impact they have on the environment, who is affected by their presence, why we don’t want them or how we can stop their spread. Artwork may include drawing, painting, collage, comic strip, etc. The contest meets California curriculum standards in science, English language arts and visual art. Winners will be announced during California Invasive Species Action Week, June 1 through 9. Winning art will be posted on CDFW’s social media platforms. For submission instructions, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/action-week/poster-contest or contact invasives@wildlife.ca.gov. The deadline to enter is May 3, 2024.
