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Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake

Welcome to The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake

 

Results Are In!

25th Annual Fish Derby 

Held On

Sat., April 23rd & Sun., 24th, 2022

For Results: TroutDerby.org

 

Current Hours & Events

Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

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Discover the beauty of nature and the rich cultural history through informative and fun exhibits featuring the Chumash Native Americans, as well as the diverse animal and plant life of the region.

 

Admission: Donation

 

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Native Garden

Take a stroll in the Nature Center's Native Garden and learn about the plants and critters that make the garden their home. All native plants are labeled and have a QR code so you can learn more in-depth information about each of the plants and their Chumash uses.

Admission: Donation (Donation slot–garage side door inside breeze way)

 

 

 

Bird(Photo credit by Jim Klages)

Project Feeder Watch – October thru April

Project Feeder Watch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. As part of this program – volunteers at the Neal Taylor Nature Center periodically count the birds they see at the Center’s feeders from November through early April and send their counts to Project Feeder Watch at the Cornell Lab. The Cornell Lab is part of Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY. Feeder Watch data help scientists track broad scale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.

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Trout In the Classroom – Next Trout in the Classroom – March 2022

Winter "Trout in the Classroom" is coming this March 2022!

In 2020, after hatching from eggs and four months growing in an aquarium at Neal Taylor Nature Center, three healthy rainbow trout were released at Lake Los Carneros, with the help of Sable and Matthew, shown above.

For more information on our "Trout in the Classroom" program, click here.

 

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Fish Derby! Celebrate our 25th Annual Fish Derby - April 23-24, 2022

The Annual Fish Derby is a two-day fishing event and will be held on Saturday and Sunday on April 23 & 24, 2022. To participate in the Fish Derby, registration is required before or during the event. Cash prizes are awarded for different categories of fish caught in Cachuma Lake, and merchandise prizes are distributed throughout the event. Participants of all ages are welcome! 

There is a fee required for participation. More information and a downloadable registration form will be available in February 2022 at: www.TroutDerby.org

 

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Saving Wildlife  Live Animal Program – May 2022

In May 2022, the Nature Center will host an organization that offers an exhibit of live animals. Participants of all ages can learn about and have an up-close look at native animals. Stayed tuned for exact date in May 2022.

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Going Batty at The Nature Center – This is a living exhibit!

Every Saturday eve at dusk - Memorial Day Weekend 2022 through the end of October 2022. 

Meet in front of the Nature Center. 

This is a living exhibit! Learn about the local bats and watch as the bats drop out of the bat boxes to feed. 

Led by a Nature Center volunteer. 

Admission:  Donation

 

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Creepy Creatures – October 2022

In celebration of Halloween, local volunteers showcase their Creepy Creatures, live bats, snakes, scorpions, spiders, and owls. There are also exhibits of animal bones, skulls, and preserved specimens. Witches serve popcorn & punch and there is face-painting, too!

Admission:  Donation

 

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Food For Thought Lecture Series – Lectures and dates to be announced!  

 Food for Thought is a lecture series generally held on a Sunday afternoon. It is offered quarterly by the Nature Center for adults interested in learning about topics specific to the local area. Lecturers by experts are held on local topics, such as Native-American culture and language, plants, animals, local history, and the environment.

Admission:  Donation.

 



Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpeckers are a common bird at Cachuma Lake and an unusual bird in its breeding behavior. This family of birds share the chores of raising a family, a rare behavior in the bird world called communal breeding.,  Birding Information  - just click on the link below.

Camp Host Positions Available!!!

At the Nature Center Fall thru Spring 2023 - Apply NOW!

 

Fridays: Wildlife Cruise
Saturdays: Guided Nature Walk & Jr. Rangers
Sundays: Wildlife Cruise
To learn more, call the Nature Center at
805-693-0691
or send an email to:
info@clnaturecenter.org
To donate to the Nature Center, use this button!

Links We Like

  • Birding in Santa Barbara County
  • Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
  • Cachuma Reservoir Level - Real Time Data
  • Children and Nature Network
  • Fish and Wildlife
  • Richard Louv books
  • Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit
  • Santa Barbara Audubon Society
  • Take Me Fishing
  • The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Neal Taylor Nature Center ~ 2265 Highway 154 ~ Santa Barbara, CA 93105 ~ 805-693-0691 ~ info@clnaturecenter.org

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