About Us

Founded in 1988, the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is celebrating 35 years of connecting kids and adults to discovering the wonders of their own backyard – Cachuma Lake and the Santa Ynez watershed.

These programs are possible through the generosity of our donors and members, vital community partnerships and the expertise and dedication of our volunteers and docents. All programs are offered at a low cost or with a donation of whatever someone can give – so all can participate. The Nature Center also serves as a weekend destination for families, visitors, and campers.

      With 35 years of serving our community to celebrate, we are approaching the future with confidence.

    Our plan of upgrading the Center and its exhibits “one room at a time” continues, and we look forward to providing more innovative programs and exhibits with your help.

Founded in 1988, the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is celebrating 34 years of connecting kids and adults to discovering the wonders of their own backyard – Cachuma Lake and the Santa Ynez watershed.

Thousands of children, families and campers experience the Nature Center firsthand each year as part of a school field trip program or as a special planned visit.

In addition, the Nature Center hosts innovative programs such as Food for Thought lecture series, Creepy Creatures, Kids and Adult Fishing Workshops, Going “Batty” – a living exhibit, Trout in the Classroom, Saving Wildlife programs and our Native Garden.

Our many programs strive to fascinate and encourage exploration and a deeper understanding of Nature.

These programs are possible through the generosity of our donors and members, vital community partnerships and the expertise and dedication of our volunteers and docents.

All programs are offered at a low cost or with a donation of whatever someone can give – so all can participate. The Nature Center also serves as a weekend destination for families, visitors, and campers.

      With 34 years of serving our community to celebrate, we are approaching the future with confidence.

    Our plan of upgrading the Center and its exhibits “one room at a time” continues, and we look forward to providing more innovative programs and exhibits with your help.

Neal Taylor (1932-2011)

Neal Taylor (1932-2011)

Neal worked to organize and promote the Nature Center from its founding in 1988 and continued to served on its Board of Directors.

In March 2011, the Cachuma Lake nature Center’s Board of Directors voted to honor his legacy by rebranding the center as the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake.

Advisory Council

Lowell McLellan – Treasurer

Greg Donovan – Horticulturalist

Chuck McPartlin

Lynda Williams-Terres

Dedicated Volunteers

As a nonprofit organization, volunteers have always been the heart, passion, and backbone of the Nature Center. All of our exhibits were designed and set up by volunteers. All of our programs are taught and run by volunteers. The nature center is tended by volunteer docents.

We are always looking for people eager to share their time, skills and knowledge at the nature center.

Calliope Humingbird (Selasphorus calliope)