DFG News Archive

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Celebrates 10 Years of Conservation

The Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area celebrates 10 years of wildlife management and public access with the opening of a new auto tour extension. An inaugural event is set for Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area in Davis, parking lot B (inside the bypass) with the extension opening to the public on Dec. 15.

“The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area has become the model for partnering with agricultural operations to provide habitat for wildlife while funding restoration activities,” said John McCamman, DFG Acting Director.

The new auto tour section, which expands wildlife watching opportunities in the Bypass by allowing visitors to drive along an extended route for wildlife viewing, was created as a by-product of habitat restoration projects for waterfowl and shorebirds.

“We are unique among wildlife areas because we use agriculture more extensively to meet habitat goals while generating income,” said Dave Feliz, Wildlife Area Manager. “This helps us to meet some of the challenges of managing land with fewer personnel and less money.”

The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is located in the north Delta within the Yolo Basin, a historically significant wetland area in the California’s Central Valley. For thousands of years, waterfowl have flocked to this region during the winter months. The success of the Wildlife Area is the result of a collaborative effort by many partners, principally DFG and the Yolo Basin Foundation. The Wildlife Area was established on Dec. 31, 1991 with the recording of the initial purchase of 2,917 acres. Today, the Wildlife Area comprises more than 15,830 acres.

DFG works with the Dixon Resource Conservation District to lease lands in the Wildlife Area for rice production and grazing. Rice farming provides food for wintering waterfowl as well as an infrastructure that supports shorebird management. Managed-grazing controls weeds especially non-native plants, which can negatively impact habitat. The grazing also allows the Wildlife Area to remain compliant with its flood control obligations.

Nearly 4,000 waterfowl and pheasant hunters use the area during the hunt seasons, and thousands of children participate in hands-on learning experiences about wetlands and agriculture at the Wildlife Area through the Discover the Flyway school program. This program is one of many educational programs sponsored by DFG and its partner, The Yolo Basin Foundation at the Wildlife Area. Monthly tours are provided by Wildlife Area docents. There are summertime bat tours and spring vernal pool events also open to the public.

MEDIA DEMONSTRATION:

The celebration, with a guide-led tour of the new auto tour extension and photo opportunities of wildlife and agriculture in the Bypass, will take place on Dec. 14 in the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area at 10 a.m.

From Sacramento:

• T take I-80 toward San Francisco and exit County Road 32a.
• Go right at the stop sign, and drive under the freeway.
• Turn left to go OVER the levee and into the basin.
• Follow the signs to Lot B.

From San Francisco:

• Take the Chiles Road exit.
• Go right and make a left at the first stop sign onto Chiles Road.
• Follow the road all the way to the levee, and make a right to go OVER the levee and into the basin.
• Follow the signs to Lot B.