This spring, The Nature Conservancy and the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County are offering free hiking access at the Dye Creek Preserve and the Vina Plains Preserve. Come witness the vibrant seasonal blooms at both preserves, and observe how Dye Creek Preserve is recovering from the Park Fire.
The Dye Creek Preserve’s trail will be accessible for three days between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with four start times per day to choose from as a self-paced hike. This format allows hikers to enjoy the trail at their leisure without large crowds. The trail is a rugged, rocky footpath leading into the Dye Creek canyon. The full out-and-back hike totals 5 miles, but hikers can turn around at any point for a shorter trip. Along the way hikers can connect with docents stationed on the path to learn about the preserve's geology, wildlife, habitats and cultural history. Self-paced hikes are scheduled for Sunday, March 22, Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 12 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. In addition, preserve staff will lead an off-trail hike on March 22 and April 4. Register with the link below.
The Vina Plains Preserve offers two chances to explore the unusual invertebrates that inhabit the preserve’s rare vernal pools. Walks will take place on Saturday, March 28 and Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The walk on March 28 will focus on vernal pool invertebrates; guests can walk at their own pace between several docent stations to see fairy shrimp and tadpole shrimp that have been carefully netted from the pools by experts, along with a diverse array of wildflowers. The event on April 25 will be a guided group walk in the western part of the preserve that focuses on learning to identify organisms with iNaturalist. The Vina Plains Preserve is located east of Vina on Highway 99E.
Please note that these events have little to no shade, and restroom facilities are limited. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pets are not permitted.
Reservations are required for all events. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your spot, go to nature.org/CAevents to find the event page for each preserve. For more information, contact the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County at 530-727-1280.
Register Now!
Sign up for Hikes at Dye Creek and Vina Plains Preserves.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.
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