Getting there:
From Davis take Hutchison Blvd west to Hopkins Road, which leads to the UC Davis airport. Turn left (south) onto Hopkins and go to the end. Turn left and park along the road. This is the Alpha Phi Omega Picnic Grounds at the center of the reserve. From here the Reserve stretches in both directions along the creek.

Location Description:
The 125 acre reserve stretches along Putah Creek as it flows through the UC Davis campus. This unique riparian reserve is in a designated floodway, which allows for research of issues related to urban and suburban streams. It also supports many local species of flora and fauna, including native fishes such as Sacramento blackfish, Sacramento pikeminnow, and Sacramento sucker. The reserve goes upstream from the picnic area as far as Pedrick Road; the area is a levee road with occasional trails down to the creek. The reserve continues downstream to the Restoria site.

Meeting Space:
Inside: none
Outside: picnic grounds at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, open space

Educational Component, Activities, or Programs:
No formal programs, but more detailed information about the area available at:

http://wfcb.ucdavis.edu/www/Faculty/Peter/petermoyle/putahcrk.htm

Constraints:
no restrooms available

Resources related to this theme or topic:
Booklet: Exploring Putah Creek from Monticello Dam to the Yolo Wildlife Area, by Ann Brice. Contact Joyce Gutstein for availability.

Field Site Two: Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve

http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/stebbins/natural/nature.htm

Driving Directions: From Davis: Head west on Russell or Covell Blvd. These roads merge before crossing Interstate 505. Pass through Winters and proceed on Highway 128. After about 4.5 miles you will pass Pleasant Valley Road and the entrance to Lake Solano Park on the left. After another 5 miles you will pass over Putah Creek. At this point you will see Monticello Dam on the right. In another 0.3 miles there will be a pull-out on the right. It's just past a yellow sign with an arrow showing a bend in the road to the right. Park there and cross the road, where you'll see a pipe gate. Follow the trail past the gate a couple hundred yards, and you'll find the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve sign and a sign-in book.

Location Description:
The reserve is characterized by coastal oak woodland on the flanks of a rugged canyon. There is a riparian zone along the base of the canyon, through which Cold Creek flows seasonally (winter through mid-spring). There are many wildflowers and flowering trees in the spring as well. See the website for more details, or check out the guide (below).

Meeting Space:
Inside: none
Outside: no established meeting places, but there are numerous clearings along the trails that allow large groups to assemble

Educational component/activities Programs:
The reserve is well-suited for projects involving plant biology, animal biology, stream ecology, geology, etc. There is a network of trails that allow access to a variety of different habitats for activities. Docent-led hikes are also available.

Constraints:
Student groups must get permission to visit this park (please see website above for more information). Bus parking is very difficult and students have to cross the highway from the parking lot. The closest restroom facilities are in Lake Solano Park. Also, poison oak is very abundant; make sure you, parent helpers, and the students know what it looks like!

Miscellaneous Resources:
There is an excellent book called "The Natural History of Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve" available at the UCD Bookstore or by emailing smwaddell@ucdavis.edu. Detailed information about the plants, animals, geology, etc. is available on the website, which also has a guided tour you can print out, with numbers corresponding to numbered markers along the hiking trail.