A list of events, activities and hunting opportunities are on the calendar for March, offered in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to weather conditions, wildfires or wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.

All calendar items are subject to change.

Various Days

Guided Wetland Tours by Reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is eight people. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

Nest Box Survey Orientation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 11 and March 14, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. Choose one of two free orientation meetings for a unique opportunity in a season-long field project. Working in teams, detailed data is collected and used to understand and enhance the local wood duck population and other wildlife. Commitment varies, averaging four hours once or twice a month, April through July. The project is open to the public ages 18 and older and this meeting is required for participation. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

Discover the Flyway School Program, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students that meets Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. The goal is to offer children a meaningful outdoor experience that will give them an appreciation for the wetlands, agriculture and wildlife of the Central Valley and contribute to a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic. This school year, Yolo Basin Foundation is offering teachers three options: the chance to bring students to a field trip to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, the opportunity to have our educators and docents bring the program to their classroom or the option to participate from school or home in a live, virtually led activity. Teachers can learn more and register at www.yolobasin.org/schoolprograms.

Invasive Species Youth Art and Video Contest is now open. Students are invited to enter their art (Grades 2-12) or short video (Grades 5-12) on the theme “Think Ahead; Prevent the Spread” describing actions that prevent the spread of invasive species. The contest meets California curriculum standards in Science, English Language Arts and Visual Art. Winners will be announced during California Invasive Species Action Week, June 3-11. Winning art will be posted on CDFW’s Facebook page and winning videos will be posted on CDFW’s YouTube channel. For submission instructions, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/action-week/poster-contest or contact Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov. The deadline to enter is May 1, 2023.

Sundays

Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River. Join in every Sunday for Tot Time at the Visitor’s Center at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, where participants will enjoy nature-themed stories and create a fun craft. Recommended for children ages 2-7 years with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, email Julia.Kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.

March 10

White and White-fronted goose season closes in the Northeastern California Zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

Canada goose season closes in the North Coast Special Management Area. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.

March 14 and 16

California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, starting at 8:30 a.m. March 14 at California State University Monterey Bay, University Center Auditorium, 4314 6th Avenue, Seaside, and 8:30 a.m. March 16, Monterey County Fair and Event Center, Seaside Room, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.

March 18

Additional Spring wild turkey season for hunters with junior hunting licenses opens (extending through March 19). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area pop-up information booth, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Parking Lot A, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. The third Saturday of every month, Yolo Basin Foundation will have a pop-up information booth in Parking Lot A of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It is a great time to visit since volunteers will be present to hand out maps of the auto tour route and hiking trails, provide information about what to keep an eye out for and answer questions as visitors set out to explore local wildlife. Come visit the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area during this time of magical migrations. Waterfowl, geese, swans and more are making their way south along the Pacific Flyway. For more information about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, visit www.yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea.

March 19

Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis. Join Yolo Basin Foundation’s docent on a fantastic tour that is appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. View seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Look for migrating and resident waterfowl, geese, swans, raptors and wading birds. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.

March 22

Last day of California spiny lobster recreational and commercial fishing season statewide. Recreational lobster report card data can be reported at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/invertebrates/lobster.

March 25

General Spring wild turkey season opens (extending through April 30). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.