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.
Masks are required inside the Nature Center.
Admission: Donation
Stay Tuned for Expanded Hours and Programs:
The Nature Center will expand its hours of operation and programs, so please stay tuned. We so look forward to seeing you!
Current Hours & Events
Neal Taylor Nature Center:
Open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with extended hours on Sunday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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. Masks are required inside the Nature Center. Meet in front of the Nature Center for entry. Admission: Donation
Summer Weekend Book Sale
Every Saturday through Labor Day weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come find a special book or treasure and help to support the Nature Center!
Going Batty at The Nature Center – This is a living exhibit!
Every Saturday eve at dusk through Labor Day weekend.
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
Neal Taylor Nature Center’s Native Garden:
Learn about the plants and critters that make the garden their home. by taking a stroll in the Nature Center's Native Garden. 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)
Creepy Creatures - To Be Announced
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
Trout In the Classroom Next Trout in the Classroom – Winter 2022
Winter and Spring of 2020’s "Trout in the Classroom" was a rousing success! 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 below. The fish are on their own but were given a great start at the Nature Center! (For more information on our "Trout in the Classroom" program, click here.)
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.
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.
Fish Derby! Celebrate our 25th Annual Fish Derby - April 23-24, 2022
The Fish Derby is a two-day annual fishing event 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 can be found at:
Saving Wildlife - Live Animal Program – May 2022 (Specific date to be announced).
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.
Admission: Donation