Deer Creek Hills Preserve

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail's edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail's edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail's edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail's edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail's edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

COVID-19 Polices for Mountain Bike Mondays The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike every Monday night through October. The self-guided trails are open exclusively to riders between 4:30pm-8:00pm. In observance with public health safety precautions, this offering is limited by a 50 person capacity, and is only made available to individuals who comply with the following guidelines: Review the most recent Sacramento County Public Health Order, the most up to date CDC…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail's edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

Guided by Miki Fujitsubo with input from fellow lead docents, this outing will review how to successfully contribute to fun and safe guided public tours at Deer Creek Hills Preserve. New docents are encouraged to attend, to increase your comfort and confidence on the property. Returning and lead docents are also asked to participate, for a helpful refresher and to share your knowledge and experience. Rough Agenda To Be Covered What to Bring  / What Not to Bring Basic Skills…

Step back in time and join us for the Deer Creek Gold Rush. Lead docent David Scharlach will guide us on a hike 3-miles long and a century and a half back in time as he retells the story of the search for gold at Deer Creek. In 1849, it is said that a gold nugget the size of your fist was found nearby on the Cosumnes River at Cooks Bar. By 1850, the town that sprang up there boasted…

What grows at Deer Creek Hills Preserve? This month's docent-guided natural history hike (second Saturday of every month, Feb-May) will be a 2-3 mile Mushroom Meander. Join our docents who will share what they have discovered in the way of macrofungi this past week. This will be a slow moving stroll through the blue, live and valley oaks on the property. A short informational handout will be provided. A camera and hand lens will be helpful in this exploration. As…

Let's get ready for spring season! This is a docent-only ride for new and returning 2022 equestrian docents. Be sure you've completed docent orientation and signed your DocuSign packet before registering. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Registration closes at 6pm on Friday. If you have questions about this outing or the docent program, please contact SVC Program Coordinator, Carly Amatisto at (916) 612-3719 or outreach@sacramentovalleyconservancy.org

Docents welcome all ages of new and experienced birders alike, who are ready to tackle this 3-4 mile off-trail walk through open grasslands that overlie the Gopher Ridge (metavolcanic) Formation. Open grassland habitat in the Sacramento area continues to disappear making this local resource ever more important. These are hunting grounds for winter resident raptors such as Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks and year-round residents such as Red-tailed Hawks and burrowing Owls. Falcons are represented by the year-round American Kestrel and…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

"We often forget that WE ARE NATURE. Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say that we have lost our connection to Nature, we’ve lost our connection to ourselves..." ~Andy Goldsworthy, Artist Please join SVC Docents on a guided, gentle "mindfulness" hike among the Blue Oak Woodland. We will explore Nature while doing some gentle stretching and yoga (no previous yoga experience required), breathing, Nature observation/discussion, and mindfulness exercises. The walk will be about 1-2 casual miles…

Real life Solomon Miser will take you from his homestead into the hills of Deer Creek to reminisce about coming to California before the gold rush, the wagon train he led West and his neighbors and early settlers like Jared Sheldon, Bill Daylor and William Hartnell. Join Deer Creek Hills historian David Scharlach as he tells of the amazing first owners of Deer Creek Hills including a cowboy Casanova, a drunken scoundrel and murderer, the intrepid teenage daughter (and survivor)…

POSTPONED Following recommendations from the State Veterinarian to prevent the potential spread of EHM, this ride has been postponed. Registered riders will be contacted via email if a new date is scheduled. Stay safe in the meantime. SUMMARY Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear,…

How A Blue Oak Woodland Grows in Drought. The increasingly drier and hotter climate in the Sacramento Valley is rapidly changing the Deer Creek landscape. Blue oaks have evolved over millennia to respond to drought in some unique ways. Learn about the survival strategies of California’s blue oaks which grow nowhere else. We will wander under the trees to examine the microcosm of life they support and the mechanisms they use to stay alive under changing climate conditions. Wildflowers have…

Join experienced docents for a venture to the southern part of Deer Creek Hills, Sacramento's largest open space preserve. The lovely South Pond is home to Wilson's Snipe, Sora and vocal (and many times visible) Virginia Rail. Up to 31 Snipe have been observed at one time sunning themselves along the pond's edge. Loggerhead Shrike are occasional visitors here as well. We will make a nice transect through the old growth blue oak woodland looking for winter and year-round resident…

POSTPONED Following recommendations from the State Veterinarian to prevent the potential spread of EHM, this ride has been postponed. Registered riders will be contacted via email if a new date is scheduled. Stay safe in the meantime. SUMMARY Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and…

"We often forget that WE ARE NATURE. Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say that we have lost our connection to Nature, we’ve lost our connection to ourselves..." ~Andy Goldsworthy, Artist Please join SVC Docents on a guided, gentle "mindfulness" hike among the Blue Oak Woodland. We will explore Nature while doing some gentle stretching and yoga (no previous yoga experience required), breathing, Nature observation/discussion, and mindfulness exercises. The walk will be about 1-2 casual miles…

Artifacts from the "first" Native Americans (Paleo-Indians) have been found at Deer Creek Hills and date back 18,000 to 12.000 years ago! There is further Evidence that they have thrived here for roughly the last 6,000 years! But the Gold Rush migration and westward settlement brought their rapid decline and decimated their ancient culture. You will have a unique chance to personally examine stone tools found by archeologists nearby that have been dated to this period during a hike on…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

How A Blue Oak Woodland Grows in Drought. The increasingly drier and hotter climate in the Sacramento Valley is rapidly changing the Deer Creek landscape. Blue oaks have evolved over millennia to respond to drought in some unique ways. Learn about the survival strategies of California’s blue oaks which grow nowhere else. We will wander under the trees to examine the microcosm of life they support and the mechanisms they use to stay alive under changing climate conditions. Wildflowers have…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

"We often forget that WE ARE NATURE. Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say that we have lost our connection to Nature, we’ve lost our connection to ourselves..." ~Andy Goldsworthy, Artist Please join SVC Docents on a guided, gentle "mindfulness" hike among the Blue Oak Woodland. We will explore Nature while doing some gentle stretching and yoga (no previous yoga experience required), breathing, Nature observation/discussion, and mindfulness exercises. The walk will be about 1-2 casual miles…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

The route for this outing will depend on the weather, bird migration activity, nesting activity and scouting results from the docents earlier in the week, plus input from the guests. Sunrise is at 6:15 and the weather in late April can be unpredictable, so layered clothing, a hat, sunscreen and water are advisable. Docents have a fair knowledge of local wildflowers, insects and the natural landscape in addition to the local birds. So if you are curious about something, just…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

Archaeology of Deer Creek Hills These beautiful hills will disclose to us clues that may link the mysterious paleolithic Indians of 12,000 years ago with the early nomadic hunters of 6000 years ago and the seasonal travelers from 600 years ago and sooner.  We will find the sites that overlay the rush for gold upon the remnants of native habitation.  Actual artifacts from nearby areas will assist us.  So much time to traverse in just three miles!  As the weather…

"Fill their Lives with adventures, not things. Give them stories to tell, not stuff to have or show..." Family Nature Exploration Hike. Kids, please join us with your parents on a short hike exploring the greening and awakening Blue Oak woodlands and grasslands. We will be walking a gentle and wandering 2 miles. To keep your parent’s attention, we will have lots of stops and activities along our walk to explore the many cool things that we'll see and not…

Buddy up with your horse and take a docent-led equestrian adventure, traveling over the rolling hills, and maneuvering past outcrops of rocks along the trail’s edge. Take in the golden grasses and tree-studded horizons of this pristine protected landscape. BYO horse and gear, including a muck bucket and water for your horse after the ride. Groups travel at a walk and are usually from 8-10 in size. Horses and riders should be accustomed to riding in groups and in open…

What grows at Deer Creek Hills Preserve? Explore California's unique landscape—a Blue Oak Woodland. On this wildflower grassland your Naturalist will help sharpen your senses as they lead you under the oak canopy pointing out the interconnected world of insects, birds, plants, animals and even the lowly fungi that weave together this amazing ecosystem. Taking you back in time, you'll discover the bounty Native Americans found on this land. It served as grocery store, pharmacy and Home Depot! Walking the…

Meet at 5:45am at the corner of Stonehouse and Latrobe Roads. We have an early start to avoid the heat and see the best bird activity. We will caravan to Deer Creek Hills North promptly at 6am. This is a rare opportunity to join our birding docents on a trip to the northern part of the preserve during spring migration. Lawrence's Goldfinches adore this place and we often get the opportunity to observe them in close proximity. Come join us…