November 26, 2021 - All calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to adhere to all safety protocols including physical distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing. For information on how to get vaccinated in California, please visit myturn.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various Days — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Hunting Opportunities. There are still opportunities available for pig, waterfowl and upland game hunting through February. An $11.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Weekends — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours(opens in new tab).
Weekends — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). This hour-and-a-half tour will stroll a third of a mile to an elevated viewing deck where participants will have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife. Visitors often encounter hawks, rabbits, herons, turtles, cormorants, swallows and much more. This is one of the premier birding spots in northern California, as migratory ducks and geese usually take the spotlight. Tours are canceled in heavy rain. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. To sign up, please visit Eventbrite(opens in new tab). To purchase a Lands Pass, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/lands-pass. There is a limit of 12 people per tour. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, which may include masking and/or physical distancing. Come prepared and be respectful of other visitors. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Saturdays — Swan Tours. Celebrate the bird migration on the Pacific Flyway this fall and winter! CDFW’s free and popular Swan Tours are set for selective Saturdays from November through January. Held in partnership with Mathews Rice Operation, the tours traverse flooded rice fields north of Marysville. This area boasts the largest overwintering population of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Mandatory health and safety protocols are in place. To register, please email Genelle.Treaster@wildlife.ca.gov.
Various Days — Wetland Tours at Ballona Reserve, 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., December 4 and 12, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). The Los Angeles Audubon Society will provide volunteer-led tours of the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve on the mornings of the first Saturday and second Sunday of each month. This is a great opportunity to see the biodiverse habitats and species found in the last remaining coastal wetlands in the City of Los Angeles. The walks are led by trained volunteer naturalists. Tours depart from the entrance to the reserve – the parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing cindyhardin@laaudubon.org or calling (310) 301-0050. Mandatory health and safety protocols are in place.
Various Days — Discover the Flyway School Program, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students that meets Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core Standards. Its goal is to offer children a meaningful outdoor experience that will give them an appreciation for the wetlands, agriculture and wildlife of the Central Valley and contribute to a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic. This school year, Yolo Basin Foundation is offering teachers three options: the chance to bring students to a field trip held at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, the opportunity to have our educators and docents bring the program to their classroom or the option to participate from school or home in a live, virtually led activity. Teachers can learn more and register at www.yolobasin.org/schoolprograms(opens in new tab).
3 — Habitat Restoration at Ballona Reserve, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Roll up your sleeves to help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in the City of Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. The time and effort put into clearing out invasive vegetation give our slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2021/12/03/friday-habitat-restoration(opens in new tab). Mandatory health and safety protocols are in place.
4 — King Tide Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Explore the year’s highest tides at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Join naturalists on a guided hike to witness the “King Tide” phenomenon and learn about efforts to mitigate sea level rise impacts in coastal communities. The tour is open to all ages, but attendees must register in advance. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/events/king-tide-walk-211204(opens in new tab).
4 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Road 30, Davis (95618). The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. Join Yolo Basin Foundation docents for this monthly tour appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. The group will caravan along the hard-packed gravel roads of the auto tour route with optional short walks. Registration is required to attend. There is a suggested donation of $10/adult for tours. Donations support our wetlands education programs. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours(opens in new tab).
9 — Nimbus Fish Hatchery Public Webinar: Salmon Dissection, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., via Zoom. Explore the fascinating physiology of spawning Chinook salmon by watching the dissection of male and female specimens. Each program will include time for live questions from our audience. To register, please visit the Zoom webinar registration page(opens in new tab).
11 — Ballona Creek Cleanup at Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right in the wetlands. The time and effort put into clearing out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on our beaches and in the open ocean. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2021/12/11/creekcleanup(opens in new tab). Mandatory health and safety protocols are in place.
11 — Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). December is a wonderful month to come out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area! Join Yolo Basin Foundation’s docent on a fantastic tour that is appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. View seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Look for migrating and resident waterfowl, geese, swans, raptors and wading birds. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours(opens in new tab).
11 — Teachers on the Reserve Workshop at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). This free teacher workshop is an introduction to the habitats and wildlife on the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Participants will deepen their understanding of estuaries, wetlands, watersheds and conservation issues facing the Elkhorn Slough through informative presentations and topical field activities. All teachers leave prepared to lead meaningful, NGSS aligned field trips at the reserve. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/education-program/tor-application(opens in new tab).
14 — California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. The meeting is to be held via webinar/teleconference due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
15-16 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. December 15 and 8:30 a.m. December 16. The meeting is to be held via webinar/teleconference due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov(opens in new tab).
17 — Habitat Restoration at Ballona Reserve, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Roll up your sleeves to help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in the City of Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. The time and effort put into clearing out invasive vegetation give our slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2021/12/17/friday-habitat-restoration(opens in new tab). Mandatory health and safety protocols are in place.
18 — Garden Days at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Learn about native plant gardening and help the reserve maintain its new demonstration gardens! Participants will spend time exploring topics in native plant gardening and then spend time working in the gardens. Work changes with the season and may involve weeding, planting or collecting native seeds. All ages and abilities are welcome, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar(opens in new tab).
18 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10:00 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Expert docents will lead you through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, where you’ll learn about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants as you journey through different habitats. You might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/tour/10/16/21-x9sbe-b4t8l(opens in new tab). Mandatory health and safety protocols are in place.
18 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Pop-up Information Booth, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Parking Lot A, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Come visit the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area during this time of magical migrations! Waterfowl, geese, swans and more are making their way south along the Pacific Flyway. Every third Saturday of the month, Yolo Basin Foundation will have a pop-up information booth in Parking Lot A of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. If you’ve never visited the area or have questions, it is a great time to visit since volunteers will provide maps of the auto tour route and hiking trails, provide information about what to keep an eye out for and answer questions as visitors set out to explore local wildlife. For more information about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, please visit www.yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea(opens in new tab).
18 — General Season for Band-tailed Pigeons in the Southern Hunt Zone Opens (extending through December 26). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
26 — Black Bear Season Ends Statewide (or earlier if CDFW determines that 1,700 black bears have been reported taken). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/bear. Successful hunters must have their tag validated. All hunters are required to submit a report on their bear tag, whether they hunted for bear or not. Tags can be mailed to the address on the tag or reported online at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin(opens in new tab).
27 — Archery Only Pheasant Season Opens (extending through January 23, 2022). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
Source: CDFW
