Project Feederwatch: Weekly Birdwatching at the Nature Center
2026-01-01 - 2026-04-10
Come experience native bird species up close at the Neal Taylor Nature Center! Nature Center volunteer Chris Farro will provide live commentary with species identification and fun facts. Visit us in person during our FeederWatch Bird Identification sessions:
Thursdays and Fridays from 10am – 12pm through mid April 2026.
We would LOVE to show you our native birds and answer any questions! Happy birding!

Species observations at the Nature Center are sent to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology as part of Project FeederWatch, a winter-long citizen survey of birds that visit feeders in backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America.
Birdwatching Live Stream - paused until further notice
Due to some logistical hurdles, we'll need to temporarily pause our online birdwatching live stream. Your support means the world to us and thank you for bearing with us!
Want to learn more about our local native birds? Watch our past live streams at: ​​facebook.com/NTNatureCenter/reels

Birdwatching Spotlight: Interview with Project FeederWatch Volunteer Chris Farro
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Project FeederWatch 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 document the birds they see at the Center’s feeders from November through early April and send their counts to Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab. These sightings are also written on the chalkboard in Nature Center’s bird exhibit. The Cornell Lab is part of Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY. FeederWatch data helps scientists track broad-scale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.
Learn more at feederwatch.org

About The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake
The Neal Taylor Nature Center (NTNC) is located within Cachuma Recreational Area in a picturesque old ranch house. Developed and operated by a corps of committed volunteers, it offers exhibits on the local valley and mountain environment for all ages, emphasizing hands-on exhibits for children of all ages. The mission of the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is to encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Cachuma Lake, the Upper Santa Ynez River, and the San Rafael Mountain Range Watershed.

Address 2265 Hwy 154 Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Nature Center & Gift Store Hours
Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nature Center Admission: Donations Appreciated
(There is a $10.00 County Park Entrance Fee per vehicle)

29th Annual Neal Taylor Nature Center Fish Derby
2026-04-18 06:00 - 2026-04-19 12:00 (America/Denver) | Lake Cachuma, Lake Cachuma, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
WWW.TROUTDERBY.ORG
The Neal Taylor Nature Center Fish Derby is an annual event that has been taking place at Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara, CA since the mid 90s. Every year, hundreds of people venture out for weekend of fun, fishing, and festivities.
The event hosts a variety of activities. People of all ages are welcome to participate. Ages 4 and up can participate in the fish weighing contest, and earn cash and fishing gear prizes. There are also several raffles, with prizes that include fishing gear, gift baskets, local restaurant gift certificates, lake cruises, and more.
Other activities include arts & crafts, workshops, bait-making stations, live music at HOOK’d bar & grill, boat rentals, an on-site disc golf course, and several biking and hiking trails surrounding Cachuma Lake.
This event is a fundraiser for The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Cachuma Lake, the Upper Santa Ynez River, and the San Rafael Mountain Range Watershed.

Camping is available at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area during the event, and is booked separately through the Santa Barbara County website. Reservations fill up quick, so make sure you plan far in advance!
This is a family-friendly event, and all are welcome! We look forward to welcoming you to the Fish Derby!
This event is a fundraiser for the Neal Taylor Nature Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Learn more at https://www.troutderby.org/

About The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake
The Neal Taylor Nature Center (NTNC) is located within Cachuma Recreational Area in a picturesque old ranch house. Developed and operated by a corps of committed volunteers, it offers exhibits on the local valley and mountain environment for all ages, emphasizing hands-on exhibits for children of all ages.
The mission of the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is to encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Cachuma Lake, the Upper Santa Ynez River, and the San Rafael Mountain Range Watershed. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs completely on donations and grants.
Nature Center & Gift Store Hours
Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Native Plant Garden Open 24/7
Admission: Donation

Going Batty
2026-05-22 19:55
A Living Exhibit!

ADMISSION: Donation
*Program times vary by week depending on the time of sunset*

Meet at the front entrance of the Nature Center.
Going Batty consists of a weekly talk and observation of local bats during May – August each year. We have two bat boxes where bats live at the nature center. These are wild bats—we never feed or touch the animals.
Guests of Cachuma Lake Recreation Area are welcome to visit our bat boxes at any time during their visit, although they typically only come out about 30 minutes after sunset, and are mostly active here during the warmer months.
This is a living exhibit! Please do not disturb the bats with lights or loud noises.
Keep a 10-15ft distance from bat boxes at all times.
Includes a Docent led talk and Q&A.
After learning about the local bats, we’ll move to the Native Garden to watch as the bats drop out of the bat boxes to feed.
Admission: Donation

Click here for more information about this program

About The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake
The Neal Taylor Nature Center (NTNC) is located within Cachuma Recreational Area in a picturesque old ranch house. Developed and operated by a corps of committed volunteers, it offers exhibits on the local valley and mountain environment for all ages, emphasizing hands-on exhibits for children of all ages.
The mission of the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is to encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Cachuma Lake, the Upper Santa Ynez River, and the San Rafael Mountain Range Watershed. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs completely on donations and grants.

Nature Center & Gift Store Hours
Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Native Plant Garden Hours: Always open
Admission: Donation

Nature Themed Arts & Crafts
2026-05-23 13:00 - 15:00
Come by the Nature Center and make some nature-themed crafts!
Open to all ages.
Admission: $2 per person

Going Batty
2026-05-23 19:55
A Living Exhibit!

ADMISSION: Donation
*Program time may vary depending on the time of sunset*

Meet at the front entrance of the Nature Center.
Going Batty consists of a docent-led talk and observation of our local bats. We have two bat boxes where bats live at the nature center. These are wild bats—we never feed or touch the animals.
Guests of Cachuma Lake Recreation Area are welcome to visit our bat boxes at any time during their visit, although they typically only come out about 30 minutes after sunset, and are mostly active here during the warmer months.
This is a living exhibit! Please do not disturb the bats with lights or loud noises.
Keep a 10-15ft distance from bat boxes at all times.
Includes a Docent led talk and Q&A.
After learning about the local bats, we’ll move to the Native Garden to watch as the bats drop out of the bat boxes to feed.
Admission: Donation

Click here for more information about this program

Going Batty
2026-06-12 20:05, 2026-06-13 20:05, 2026-06-19 20:10, 2026-06-20 20:10, 2026-06-27 20:10, 2026-06-28 20:10, 2026-07-03 20:10, 2026-07-04 20:10 and 15 more dates
A Living Exhibit!

ADMISSION: Donation
*Program times vary by week depending on the time of sunset*

Meet at the front entrance of the Nature Center.
Going Batty consists of a weekly talk and observation of local bats during May – August each year. We have two bat boxes where bats live at the nature center. These are wild bats—we never feed or touch the animals.
Guests of Cachuma Lake Recreation Area are welcome to visit our bat boxes at any time during their visit, although they typically only come out about 30 minutes after sunset, and are mostly active here during the warmer months.
This is a living exhibit! Please do not disturb the bats with lights or loud noises.
Keep a 10-15ft distance from bat boxes at all times.
Includes a Docent led talk and Q&A.
After learning about the local bats, we’ll move to the Native Garden to watch as the bats drop out of the bat boxes to feed.
Admission: Donation

Click here for more information about this program

Going Batty
2026-08-07 19:45
A Living Exhibit!

Friday & Saturday evenings at dusk Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
ADMISSION: Donation
*Program times vary by week depending on the time of sunset*

Meet at the front entrance of the Nature Center.
Going Batty consists of a weekly talk and observation of local bats during May – August each year. We have two bat boxes where bats live at the nature center. These are wild bats—we never feed or touch the animals.
Guests of Cachuma Lake Recreation Area are welcome to visit our bat boxes at any time during their visit, although they typically only come out about 30 minutes after sunset, and are mostly active here during the warmer months.
This is a living exhibit! Please do not disturb the bats with lights or loud noises.
Keep a 10-15ft distance from bat boxes at all times.
Includes a Docent led talk and Q&A.
After learning about the local bats, we’ll move to the Native Garden to watch as the bats drop out of the bat boxes to feed.
Admission: Donation

Click here for more information about this program

Going Batty
2026-09-04 19:15
A Living Exhibit!

ADMISSION: Donation
*Program times vary by week depending on the time of sunset*

Meet at the front entrance of the Nature Center.
Going Batty consists of a weekly talk and observation of local bats during warmer months when our migratory bats occupy the bat houses at the nature center. These are wild bats—we never feed or touch the animals.
Guests of Cachuma Lake Recreation Area are welcome to visit our bat boxes at any time during their visit, although they typically only come out about 30 minutes after sunset, and are mostly active here during the warmer months.
This is a living exhibit! Please do not disturb the bats with lights or loud noises.
Keep a 10-15ft distance from bat boxes at all times.
Includes a Docent led talk and Q&A.
After learning about the local bats, we’ll move to the Native Garden to watch as the bats drop out of the bat boxes to feed.
Admission: Donation

Click here for more information about this program

About The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake
The Neal Taylor Nature Center (NTNC) is located within Cachuma Recreational Area in a picturesque old ranch house. Developed and operated by a corps of committed volunteers, it offers exhibits on the local valley and mountain environment for all ages, emphasizing hands-on exhibits for children of all ages.
The mission of the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is to encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Cachuma Lake, the Upper Santa Ynez River, and the San Rafael Mountain Range Watershed. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs completely on donations and grants.

Nature Center & Gift Store Hours
Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Native Plant Garden Hours: Always open
Admission: Donation
