May 2026 FARM VISIT 


Cache Creek Conservancy 34199 Co Rd 20, 

Woodland, CA 95695


THU, May 21st | 8am-12pm

SAT, May 23rd | 4 - 8pm

Keep Art and Ag FREE!!


Support from community members like you are what makes Art & Ag and other programs possible. With your support, YoloArts can grow access to Yolo's creative community and connect YOU with the voices of our diverse Yolo County Artists through programs for all ages.

Please Donate Here

Hello Plein Aire Friends!

Cache Creek Nature Preserve is an incredible local resource for Plein Air creators. This is a special visit for me because it was fully organized with Art & Ag participants while on our monthly Farm Visits!! This truly a “by you for you" event.


The Cache Creek Nature Preserve serves as a wildlife sanctuary to provide a home to the different insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants that are native to Yolo County. For more than 25 years the Conservancy’s work has focused on restoring the appropriate habitat for the biodiversity necessary for a healthy environment.


Several cultures in the Cache Creek watershed have interacted with and impacted the landscape. Including the Wintun culture, agriculture, and mining. These three cultures have played a large part in shaping the land that now is the Cache Creek Nature Preserve.


The Cache Creek watershed covers approximately 745,600 acres in Yolo, Colusa, and Lake counties. It connects to the larger Sacramento River watershed. It is the main outflow of Clear Lake, the largest freshwater natural lake in California. The headwaters of the North Fork Cache Creek begin at the peak of Goat Mountain. The main stem of Cache Creek flows east from Lake County into Yolo County. In Yolo County, the creek is joined by two main tributaries: North Fork Cache Creek and then Bear Creek, which is in Colusa County.


Cache Creek is home to some amazing flora and fauna, and they are committed to protecting, preserving, and restoring habitats that help these plants and animals survive and thrive. During my evening site visit, Ruthye mentioned that she loves that this job allows her to be in nature and finds taking a moment to watch the Swallows always feels “welcoming and peaceful”.


Part of our collaboration focus was to encourage visitors to visit the property in a more expansive way. For example, did you know there are 10 hiking trails full of wildlife who live on the property and in surrounding areas to explore?? Lynn recommends making your way down to the long creek bed for a change of scenery!


See you on the Preserve!


Jenna


P.S. If you want to support Cache Creek, here is their Big Day of Giving link. Donating to our Art & Ag partners helps make all this collaborative community work possible!

Creek Highlights:



Private Access to Cache Creek for Art & Ag on Saturday Evening

Barn Access


Resident “Friend” Barn Owl (Yes, their name is Friend)


All the wildlife (see below for list)


Wheel Friendly Accessibility Accommodations


For any of our younger visitors, there is a Play Creek

MAMMALS

All sorts of furry, four-legged critters call the Cache Creek Nature Preserve home. Here’s a few you might spot while walking on one of our trails:

Black-tailed deer

Raccoons

Bobcats

Cottontail rabbits

Jackrabbits (really, they are hares)

River otters

American mink

Beavers

Ground squirrels

Coyotes

BIRDS

More than 70 species of birds have been identified at the Cache Creek Nature Preserve. Some are residents, and some are migratory, being found only at a particular time of the year. This is a brief list of the birds you might see:

Anna’s hummingbird

Red-winged blackbird

Wood Duck

Northern Flicker

California Scrub-Jay

Bushtit

Black Phoebe

American Robin

American Crow

Great Egret

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Barn Owl

Bald Eagle

Osprey

REPTILES

At the Cache Creek Nature Preserve, the most common reptiles you will see are snakes, lizards, and turtles. We have spotted the following species:

Western Rattlesnake (venomous)

Giant Garter Snake (threatened species)

Racer Snake

Western Fence lizard

California Alligator Lizard 

Western Pond Turtle (threatened species)

Directions to Cache Creek Conservancy


Cache Creek Conservancy

34199 Co Rd 20,

Woodland, CA 95695 


Portable restrooms will be available.



The property has tall grasses. Hiking boots and long pants are strongly encouraged. Watch your step, there are snakes present. Wheel friendly accessibility accommodations are available.


For specific use or accommodation inquiries, please email jharris@yoloarts.org.


Call for Art Live! Deadline August 26


YoloArts (& Jenna) invite and encourage you to participate in the 19th annual Art Farm exhibition featuring Juried & Non-Juried artworks inspired by the farm and agricultural lands of Yolo County.


Artists receive 1/2 off event ticket price. Art Farm guests will be purchasing works from the Juried & Silent Auction. PLUS prizes totaling up to $1,950.


DATES: August 26, Online Entry and Delivery Deadline|September 17, Art Farm exhibition Opening Reception | October 17, Art Farm

Last time at Yanci Ranch...

April Artist Feature

Alan Fishleder
Above photo taken during Saturday's visit

Windy Windy Windy & Cold 32* wind chill on Thursday, but worth it to hang out and learn from Robyn Rominger. If you missed her talk, check out her e-book here to learn more about the juicy and scandalous history of the land. Robyn has all the tea!


Saturday, beautiful warm day with a Cattle Round Up featuring cowgirls and boys, followed by Calf Branding. Shout out to our photographers for keeping the animals safe and for being amazing guests.


Thank you again the Leslie Roche and Morgan Doran for coordinating this visit in honor of International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Keep an eye for more rangelands information at Art Farm!

Other photos by Jenna Harris

Keep Art and Ag FREE!!


Support from community members like you are what makes Art & Ag and other programs possible. With your support, YoloArts can grow access to Yolo's creative community and connect YOU with the voices of our diverse Yolo County Artists through programs for all ages.

Please Donate Here

Want your Art featured?

Me too! Send me an email (jharris@yoloarts.org) or text (530.454.6616) with an image, title, medium, and how you would like to be credited, and I will include as many as space allows. Let's spend 2026 celebrating you!

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