Cache Creek Conservancy/Nature Preserve

The Cache Creek Conservancy (CCC) manages the 130-acre Cache Creek Nature Preserve, just a few miles west of Woodland, CA, which it helped to restore in 2000. The Nature Preserve site was a gravel mine prior to restoration and is now a prime example of how thoughtful and cooperative efforts can restore environmental beauty and provide opportunities for people to encounter native wildlife and plants. The Nature Preserve has five habitat types: oak savannah, native grassland, riparian forest, wetlands, and a garden important to the Native American community. CCC was at the forefront of establishing productive relationships among stakeholders with varied and competing interests.

The innovation exhibited by the Conservancy and its partners was recognized at 2002 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards for its sustainable partnership management of the Nature Preserve. CCC received the 2010-11 Education Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society and the 2011 Steward of the Natural Environmental Award from Yocha Dehe Community Fund.

CCC also implements Yolo County’s Cache Creek Area Plan to restore riparian and native vegetation along 15 miles of Cache Creek. CCC partners with local governmental and non-governmental entities to remove invasive weeds and restore riparian habitat. CCC has its license to hold easements for Swainson’s Hawk, an endangered species.

Essential to its mission is the “Experience the Creek” environmental education program. Primarily designed for K-12 students, this program includes hands-on learning experiences that support State’s science and social science standards, including an extensive Native American component. CCC is piloting an active senior nature education program to promote outdoor experiences for adults over the age of 40.