The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Willows is headquarters to the Sacramento National Wildlife Complex. In January of this year, construction was completed on a beautiful new headquarters building and Visitor Center for the Complex. As part of this project, the Refuge is working on plans to establish a native plant garden around the new building. Funding will come from grants and donations arranged by Refuge partners, including Altacal Audubon and Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.
On May 30th, 2024 Jared Geiser, Executive Director of AltaCal Audubon and Deborah Halfpenny, Neighborhood Habitat Certification Program Planner for AltaCal Audubon met with Refuge Project Leader Sharon Vaughn, Biologist Jennifer Isolaand Park Ranger Nikki Muench to discuss garden planning and potential volunteerism to help in the development and maintenance of the garden.
The Refuge has developed an inviting landscape plan that includes accessible trails, a dry creek bed for drainage, picnic tables, and feeders to bring birds up close for viewing. The garden will feature plants such as California Wild Rose, Coyote Bush, Bolander's Sunflower, California Poppy and Salt Grass. These native plants are adapted to the valley climate and alkaline clay soil of the refuge, and will provide habitat for birds such as finches, warblers, sparrows, towhees and kinglets as well as pollinators like Monarch butterflies and native bees.
Over the course of the next year, garden soil will be prepared to improve topography, establish drainage, and control invasive weeds. Planting is planned for the fall of 2025.
The deep overhanging roof at the front of the Visitor Center will provide a comfortable area for garden and wildlife viewing, and for hosting educational programs for students of all ages. Throughout the coming year, work will be completed on new displays and kiosks, the native plant garden, and a demonstration pond.
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is open seven days a week, from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The new Visitor Center is open Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 4:00pm (subject to change, and closed on all federal holidays).
The Refuge is hopeful that with the help of partners and volunteers this garden will prove to be a vibrant focal point for their visitors: humans, birds and insects! If you are interested in becoming part of this exciting project, you can contact the Refuge volunteer program, Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge or Altacal Audubon. See details below.
The Sacramento National Wildlife Complex
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (Sacramento NWR) is one of the five National Wildlife Refuges and three Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The others are the Delevan National Wildlife Refuge (Delevan NWR); the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge (Colusa NWR); The Sutter National Wildlife Refuge (Sutter NWR); the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge (Sacramento River NWR); the Llano Seco Unit (Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA)); the Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area (Butte Sink WMA); and the Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area.( Willow Creek-Lurline WMA).
Across the Complex there are many opportunities for recreation including trails, bicycling, photography, hunting, auto tours (at Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR) and environmental education.
The Complex welcomes volunteers in a variety of areas on all of its Refuges and Management Areas. Individual volunteers must be at least 16 years old. For more information on volunteering, contact Visitor Services staff at sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov or call (530) 934-2801.
Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
This support group was formed in early 2020 by a group of individuals passionate about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Recognizing the importance of the Complex to the region and the ongoing need for additional resources, their mission is to work in partnership with the Complex and the public to maintain the Refuges and Wildlife Areas of the Complex, broaden wildlife observation and education, and expand recreational opportunities, bringing these resources to a broader audience in the Central Valley.
Find out more about how you can help on their website, or check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.
The AltaCal Audobon Society
AltaCal Audobon serves Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties and, as noted on their website, is “dedicated to preserving and protecting birds and their habitats through education, monthly programs on birds and related topics, field trips to natural areas and wildlife refuges, outreach booths at local events, and youth outdoor education activities.”
AltaCal Audubon is fortunate to be located along the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route for many birds, and centered in one of the most diversified wildlife regions in California. This unique area is rich with exemplary bird habitat, hosting abundant wintering waterfowl, native raptors, and varied terrestrial wildlife. Contact them at: www.altacal.org and director@altacal.org for further information.
UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) system. To learn more about us and our upcoming events, and for help with gardening in our area visit our website. If you have a gardening question or problem, email the Hotline at mgbutte@ucanr.edu or leave a phone message on our Hotline at 530-552-5812. To speak to a Master Gardener about a gardening issue, or to drop by the MG office during Hotline hours, see the most current information on our Ask Us section of our website.