Blog
Wildflowers Bloom at Figueroa Mountain as the Ecosystem Regenerates from Wildfire
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...
RECAP: Food 4 Thought Speakers Series – Planetary Emergencies with Chancellor Lorne Everett
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...
Microplastics, Pollution, and Solutions
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…
Thanksgiving Weekend Recap
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...
Tales of a Naturalist: Remembering Neal Taylor’s Legacy
Neal Taylor (1932-2011), founder of the Cachuma Lake Nature Center (later named the Neal Taylor Nature Center after his passing), was much more than a passionate naturalist—he was a storyteller, author, educator, master fisherman, and a local legend. His deep...
Creepy Creatures 2024 Recap
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...
How to Make Origami Bat Bookmarks
Here's a kid-favorite bat bookmark origami activity that we sometimes do here at the Nature Center. As far as origami goes, this bat is easy to make and fun for all ages. This craft is also great for any occasion, but is especially popular as we get closer to...
Lake Fire Update
by Colin Eldridge
On July 5th, 2024, a wildfire broke out near Zaca Lake in the mountains of Santa Ynez. The wildfire nearly tripled in size over the course of just a few days, quickly becoming the largest wildfire in California of the year until the Park Fire broke out on July 24th…
Meet World-Class Fishing Rod Builder Captain Tiffany Vague
Meet captain Tiffany Vague, an incredibly talented rod builder. Tiffany is a master at her craft, having won 1st place in a people's choice award and one of the top 10 rods internationally at the annual international rod building conference. She weaves thread with...
The Bats in Our Backyard
Bats play a vital role in many ecosystems, like controlling insect populations, fertilizing soils and pollinating plants. With more than 1,400 species identified, 20% of all mammal species are bats. Many are threatened or endangered due to fungal diseases, habitat...
Big Winners! Neal Taylor Nature Center’s 27th Annual Fish Derby
565 people registered, with over $36,000 raised for the Nature Center. Participants won $5,000+ in cash prizes, and $10,000 in merchandise and raffle prizes! The Derby began on Saturday, April 20th at 6 a.m. and ended at 12 noon on April 21, 2024....
5 Best Places to See Wildflower Superblooms in Santa Barbara County
It's springtime in California, and on a rainy year, we have the perfect conditions for a wildflower superbloom. Southern California is renowned for its spectacular wildflower vistas, and Santa Barbara County hosts some of the best wildflower vistas around. California...
Fire, Flood, & Drought: 5 Steps Toward Positive Change
by Colin Eldridge
Last December, Santa Barbara got almost half of its average annual rainfall in the course of just one week. Much of California experienced record-breaking rainfall in 2023, and now this trend has poured into 2024…
Meet the Artists of the Neal Taylor Nature Center
The Neal Taylor Nature Center has had the pleasure of working with many artists over the years. They've dived deep into special projects and contributed their work in several mediums, from donating art pieces to our exhibits to photographing our events and more. These...
Vegan Gluten-Free Pinecone Brownies Recipe
Bring the feeling of the great outdoors to your holiday cuisine with these festive vegan chocolate pinecone brownies! They're made with your favorite brownie mix, coconut oil, sliced almonds, flax, with an optional snowy garnish of powdered sugar. Vegan Gluten-Free...
Support the Neal Taylor Nature Center
The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and educating people about the Santa Ynez River Valley's rich history and ecology.
Ways to support our mission:
- Donate: Make a tax-deductible donation online, in person or by mail.
- Become a Member: Enjoy exclusive benefits while supporting our work.
- Volunteer: Make a difference as a residential camp host or visiting volunteer.
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Photo by Colin Eldridge