Cache Creek Nature Preserve
The Cache Creek Nature Preserve (CCNP) is a 130-acre complex of wetlands, oak woodlands, grasslands, and creekside lands.
Located at:
34199 County Road 20
Woodland, California 95695, United States
(map)
Hours
– Sunday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
– Closed Saturdays
– Closed on most major holidays, please check the home page for specific holiday closures
The site is home to two unique features: the Tending and Gathering Garden (TGG) and the Jan T. Lowrey Memorial Grove.
The TGG is a collaborative effort with the local Native American community to demonstrate native plant uses in Patwin culture.
The Jan T. Lowrey Memorial Grove showcases California native plants in a manicured setting and contains a small outdoor amphitheater.
We also have a Visitor Center which is CLOSED for storm repairs. Sign up for our Newsletter to get updates on the progress.
Cache Creek Nature Preserve Trail Map
The Nature Preserve has about 1.5 miles of trails through the grasslands, oak savanna, and by the wetlands. The riparian area bordering the Lower Cache Creek has been maintained in a natural state with willows and cottonwood trees shading the trail that winds along the southern edge of the Nature Preserve. Copies of the trail map are available at the Cache Creek Conservancy’s office at the Nature Preserve.
Please stay on the trails, for your safety and the well-being of plants and animals at the CCNP.
Sorry, no dogs are allowed at the Nature Preserve. You can see why and some places dogs are welcome on our page about the impacts of dogs on nature.
About Jan T. Lowrey
Jan Lowrey was a founding board member of the Cache Creek Conservancy who later became executive director of the organization. After Jan’s passing in January 2006, the Conservancy’s Board of Directors wants to create a lasting memorial to him on the grounds of the Nature Preserve by naming it after him and creating the memorial grove that bears his name.
Jan was involved from the very beginning as one of the original fifteen founding board members in December 1995. By October 1998, he was employed by the organization as project manager, and shortly thereafter, in May 1999, he was appointed as executive director. It was during this same time that Teichert donated the Nature Preserve land to Yolo County – in a much different state than it is today.
Jan was instrumental in the planning, contracting, and overseeing the initial restoration work at the Nature Preserve. He and others worked hard to prepare for the May 2000 grand opening. This work included rebuilding the entrance bridge, building fences around the property, refurbishing the 100+-year-old barn, constructing overlooks, boardwalks, a footbridge, a stairway, and inlet and outlet structures for the newly developed wetlands.
While overseeing this, Jan put together a demonstration Tamarisk and Arundo removal project and started the invasive plant removal from the Nature Preserve site.
Within a few years, more trails were developed, office buildings were installed, and today the Nature Preserve is a beautiful example of how highly-impacted landscapes can be restored. Jan added much to the Nature Preserve, starting several programs including environmental education, the Tending & Gathering Garden, and a writers & artists in residence.
The Memorial Grove is close to the historic barn and is easily accessed from the parking lot, but because of the many trees and shrubs, it still conveys the feeling of being secluded. The southern part is anchored by an amphitheater that can seat at least fifty adults. The rest of the approximately one-acre area is composed of walking trails amidst plantings of a large variety of native plants, trees, and shrubs. A few special spots contain benches where people may sit and enjoy nature.