Guided nature walks at Cache Creek Conservancy
Enjoy the benefits of walking and being outdoors during a free tour of the Cache Creek Nature Preserve during the remaining Sundays in April.
All the tours start at 10 a.m. and last about one hour. They are scheduled for upcoming Sundays, April 16, 23 and 30, at the Conservancy, 34199 County Road 20, about four miles west of Woodland off Hwy. 16.
The tours are designed to acquaint people with the history and features of the Conservancy and Nature Preserve and are being led by volunteer and docent Elize Van Zandt, who recently moved to Woodland after spending 30 years in Southern California.
She is a retired National Park Service naturalist/interpreter, and her final and favorite position was at Joshua Tree National Park, where she spent 12 years leading walks and learning and writing about the natural world of the desert.
After moving to Woodland, Van Zandt discovered Cache Creek Nature Preserve and began volunteering there. She believes that this move has revitalized her, as now she has a whole new set of plants and animals, and ecosystems to learn about, both at Cache Creek and on hikes in the surrounding mountains.
During a recent tour, Van Zandt spoke about the unique landscape of the Conservancy, its history from prehistoric times to today, and its role in California, along with information about the First Nation people's who lived in the area.
The tours are designed to acquaint people with the history and features of the Cache Creek Conservancy and Nature Preserve.
Van Zandt notes the trails visitors will take are unimproved, so some terrain is uneven but mostly level, although there are three slopes and a set of stairs to climb. The hike is between two and three miles in length.
Walkers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen or hats, and to bring their own water to drink. Weather is anticipated to be mild, but may be cool, so dress appropriately.
People participating in the tours can gather near the large map in front of the Visitor Center, north of the parking lot. Those interested can register by going to the Conservancy's website: https://cachecreekconservancy.org.
The Cache Creek Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on protecting, preserving, and enhancing the lower Cache Creek watershed. The Conservancy partners with Yolo County, regional aggregate companies and others to restore the creek and nature preserve because healthier environments mean healthier communities.