Thursday, January 29, 2026

Senior Wetlands Tour - Galt Winter Bird Festival

Enjoy a gentle, senior-friendly walk through the wetlands of the Cosumnes River Preserve. This guided experience includes an approximately ½-mile walk to the boardwalk, where participants will explore the wetlands on foot with knowledgeable naturalist guides. Guides will help spot wintering birds and share insights about the Preserve’s wildlife and habitats, with time to pause, observe, and enjoy the winter landscape at a relaxed pace.

Bus transportation to and from the Preserve will be provided.

Meet at 600 Chabolla Avenue, Galt, CA 95632 at 9:30am for bus transportation. 

Saturday, February 7, 2026

9:00am

Cal-Waste Staff

Cal-Waste Recovery Systems Materials Recovery Facility Tour

Take a guided tour through our Materials Recovery Facility.  See what we do and how we do it.  Each day we recover discarded natural resources destined for landfills, conserve natural resources, create new jobs, and reduce local carbon footprint.  Our goal is to preserve our environment and build a better future for our community and the lands and waterways that surround it.  Good for all ages.  Kids’ activity will be included during your visit.

9:00am

Preserve Volunteers

Family Fun at the Cosumnes River Preserve
If you are interested in learning about the Cosumnes River Preserve’s native flora and fauna while enjoying a family fun walk along the trails, well this tour is for you. Join Preserve staff on a two-hour guided walk along the Cosumnes River Preserve River Walk Trail. Participants will get the opportunity to learn about the native plants and animals that can be found at the Preserve. Come prepared to have fun!

Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center 13501 Franklin Blvd Galt, CA 95632

Explore the Preserve Behind Locked Gates 

Discover what lies behind the locked gates of the Cosumnes River Preserve. This special guided tour offers a rare opportunity to explore areas normally closed to the public — places where wildlife thrives undisturbed and restoration work comes to life.
Your naturalist guide will lead you through seasonal wetlands, oak woodlands, and restoration sites while sharing stories of the Preserve’s conservation efforts, wildlife monitoring, and habitat management. You might even catch a glimpse of Sandhill Cranes, river otters, or secretive raptors in their natural refuge.
Come prepared for light walking, adventure, and a deeper appreciation of the work that keeps this landscape wild and thriving.

Cosumnes River Preserve Farm Center
7300 Desmond Road, Galt 

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat gravel and dirt road in a normally restricted area. The walk goes near managed wetlands hosting various migrants such a s hawks, shorebirds, Sandhill cranes and waterfowl. The path may be muddy if it's been raining or foggy.  There will be little shade as you walk, so please be prepared for being exposed to the sun. A non-flush restroom is available in the parking lot before your walk; there is NO restroom available during the walk.  Children welcome, but dogs/pets must stay at home.  This is a great opportunity for viewing wildlife from a distance; you are welcome to bring binoculars and a camera. This is a slower paced, relaxed walk for viewing wildlife, so you must stay with the guide. Remember, the wildlife is sharing the refuge with us, so please respect their home and minimize disturbance.

Own Transportation, FREE must pre-register 

Build Your Own Bird Workshop

This craft workshop will use paper, stickers and color markers (all materials provided) to illustrate some basic adaptations in birds to their environment and way of life. Participants will build (create) their own bird by piecing together unique anatomical features that give the bird special characteristics. Time permitting, interested participants will have an opportunity to present their creation to the group. Successful participants will leave with a frame-able piece of art. Parental supervision is required. 

Cost per participant: $7 

Maximum number of attendees: 15 (plus parent/guardian per participant)

Recommended age: 6-10 years

McCaffrey Middle School

997 Park Terrace Drive, Galt, CA 95632

10:00am 

Botany Walk 
Join our Preserve botanist along the River Walk Trail and experience the plant life that lives among us. On this guided walk you will learn about the native flora and the in-depth history of the preserve. Participants on this hike will likely see many budding plants getting ready for their spring emergence.  This hike is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about plants. This walk will cover a fairly flat elevation trail, which consists of an uneven dirt path. Please come prepared with water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and layered clothing. The hike is open to all ages, but all participants should be of good enough physical ability to walk 3 miles. 

 Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center 13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt CA 95632

Paddling Tour
 Experience the wonders of the Cosumnes River Preserve from a Canoe! Join preserve staff on a two-hour leisurely guided paddle of the sloughs connected to the Cosumnes River. We’ll likely see forest birds, raptors, egrets, herons, cormorants, and maybe deer, a beaver, and/or an otter. We’ll talk about the flora and fauna found in this riparian corridor, and about the first people to live here, the Plains Miwoks.  No experience or equipment is required as participants will share space in our 24-foot Voyageur canoes that hold 10 people.

Raptor Tour

Falcon Drawing Workshop/Kids Art Workshop
 Let your creativity take flight! Join us for a fun, hands-on Kids Art Workshop celebrating the beautiful birds of the Cosumnes River Preserve. Children will learn about the migratory waterfowl and other feathered friends that visit the wetlands each winter — then bring their inspiration to life through painting and art. All materials are provided by the host, and he will be on hand to guide young artists as they create their own bird-themed masterpieces to take home. No experience necessary — just bring your imagination! This family-friendly activity is a great way for kids to connect with nature, explore the colors of the season, and discover the magic of the Winter Bird Festival through art.

McCaffrey Middle School

997 Park Terrace Drive, Galt, CA 95632

 
Staten Island Sunset Tour
Join Allen Bacon, Staten Island Program Manager, as he discusses the management practices of Conservation Farms and Ranches.  Watch the breathtaking sight of hundreds of cranes flying in to roost for the night.  You will learn about the habitats of the cranes, why the Staten Island open wetland environment is preferred by these magnificent birds, and what we all can do to preserve their winter home.

CRP Sunset Tour
Join Preserve staff on a tour of the Cosumnes River Preserve wetlands and rice fields behind locked gates! This driving tour will showcase a variety of different wintering bird habitats, what goes into managed wetlands, and wintering birds. We will begin at the Farm Center and discuss some of the Preserve highlighted features followed by a tour of the wetlands and rice fields with discussion in between. This unique tour will provide you with the background of the Preserve, our operations and so much more! We hope you join us.