Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of a number of programs, tours and hunting opportunities throughout the state during March. However California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CDFW, officials remind everyone that all calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, certain 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
Invasive Species Youth Art Contest Continues. Students in grades 2-12 are invited to submit an original art piece on the theme “Unite to Fight Invasive Species!” All types of media are welcome: drawings, paintings, mixed media, sculpture, animations, comic strips, videos, audio – send it all. Winners will be announced during Invasive Species Action Week, June 4-12. The deadline to enter is Friday, April 1. Please see submission guidelines at wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/action-week/poster-contest.
Guided Wetland Tours by Reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a half-mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. Each tour is limited to 15 people. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permits for Fishing and Hunting Opportunities. Barrett Reservoir largemouth bass survey opportunities are open for application and spring turkey hunts are available through May. A $12.45 non-refundable application fee is charged for each choice. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
Discover the Flyway School Program, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students that meets Next Generation Science Standards 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 to 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.
Saturday, March 12 — Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. 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, visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
Sunday, March 13 — Elkhorn Slough Reserve Aquatic Wild Workshop, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. This one-day workshop for K-6th grade teachers will dive into the Aquatic Wild curriculum through hands-on activities. Aquatic Wild Curriculum supports the State Science Standards, emphasizes outdoor learning and connects to other academic disciplines. To register, visit www.elkhornslough.org.
Wednesday, March 16 — Last Day of California Spiny Lobster Recreational and Commercial Fishing Season Statewide. Recreational lobster report card data can be reported at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/invertebrates/lobster.
California Wildlife Conservation Board Lower American River Conservancy Program Advisory Committee Meeting, 10 a.m., via Microsoft Teams Meeting. The public is welcome. For more information, visit wcb.ca.gov.
Saturday, March 19 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Pop-up Information Booth, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Parking Lot A, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. The third Saturday of every 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 be present to hand out 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. 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. For more information about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, visit www.yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea.
