Blog

It's November, which means the Neal Taylor Nature Center is gearing up to participate in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch. Volunteers across North America count birds at feeders and submit their observations to help scientists track population...

As the weather cools down and evenings turn crisp enough for sweaters, our bats are feeling the chill too. Without their own cozy knits to keep them warm, they're heading south for the season. Thanks to our resident wild bats, our volunteers and thousands of...

Another thrilling Creepy Creatures took place at the Neal Taylor Nature Center on October 4th, where droves of kids, families and campers visited for some nature-fueled fun and eerie entertainment. Over 400 attendees showed up and were awed by various outdoor...

Help encourage environmental awareness in children with the Become a Local Water Hero Activity Pamphlet—an engaging, free resource designed for ages 7 and up! Help kids become “Water Heroes” while having fun learning about water conservation and the environment. The...

Dozens of kids and their families came out to enjoy Santa Barbara Creek Week at the Neal Taylor Nature Center! This was our first year participating in the annual creek week celebration, and we are excited to participate in years to come. A major...

by Colin Eldridge Header photo credit: mbmceach In the dense woodlands, coastal sage-scrub and chaparrals of California, woodrats stand out not only for their ingenious dwellings but also for their remarkable behaviors and adaptations. Meet the dusky-footed woodrat...

by Gordon Barbosa We recently returned from our 5-week volunteer trip at the Neal Taylor Nature Center located in the Cachuma Lake County Park near Santa Barbara, CA. The lake serves as the reservoir that provides water to Santa Barbara County...

This year's fish derby began on April 26th at 6 a.m. and ended at 12 noon on April 27, 2025. 571 contestants of all ages fished Cachuma Lake during the tournament hours and were also able to fish from shore at any time during the Derby including Saturday night. Nature...

by Colin Eldridge Last summer, the Lake Fire wreaked havoc in the San Rafael Mountains. This year, we get to watch the wonder of regeneration as wildflowers bloom through the charred soil, as oaks send up new shoots from the base of burnt stands, and as the black...

On Sunday, March 9th, 2025, over 30 guests gathered at the Neal Taylor Nature Center for an extraordinary lecture by Chancellor Lorne Everett, an internationally recognized scientist with over 35 years of experience as a Chairman within the World Federation of...

by Colin Eldridge

In Santa Barbara County, the Santa Ynez River Watershed, and worldwide, plastic pollution poses a serious threat to both people and wildlife through ingestion, entangling animals, disrupting habitats, and introducing harmful chemicals into the environment…

Happy Thanksgiving from the Neal Taylor Nature Center! Our Thanksgiving weekend was amazing, with a fully booked park of campers who spent their holiday at Cachuma Lake. We were busy at the Nature Center, with two Books & Treasures sales that raised over $200 for...

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, Santa Barbara, CA - October 5th, 2024 marked the day for another edition of the Neal Taylor Nature Center's popular Halloween-themed event, Creepy Creatures. Each year the Nature Center collaborates with performers, educators, and...