About
Santa Clara River Preserve Guided Youth & Family Programs include guided nature hikes, monthly bilingual bird walks, and volunteer stewardship work such as trail work, vegetation clearance, trash and debris clearance, weeding, and general upkeep tasks around the preserve. Families can also birdwatch, hike, picnic, join a guided hike, and volunteer and make new friends during these programs.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Monthly bilingual bird walks typically run 10am–12pm, and monthly community volunteer days typically run 9am–12pm
• Price: The preserve is open free to the public.
Guided nature hikes are led by professional naturalist and educator Amy Davis. Monthly bilingual bird walks are led by Alexander Vaca, a bilingual biologist focused on birds, amphibians, and rare or protected flora, with experience in conservation, restoration, and wildland firefighting. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Alexander Vaca from the Ventura County Resource Conservation District leads the monthly bilingual bird walks, and the Ventura Sierra Club regularly hosts volunteer events at the Santa Clara River Preserve. The mission of the Santa Clara River Preserve is to provide access to the Santa Clara River as a space for outdoor education, community gatherings, wildlife viewing, and hiking, with the hope that the preserve gives everyone a chance to connect with the dynamic Santa Clara River.
For monthly bilingual bird walks, binoculars are provided, participants can expect to walk 2–3 miles, are advised to wear sun protection, bring water, and meet in the parking lot. For monthly community volunteer days, participants are advised to bring or wear sun-protective clothing, closed-toed shoes, and water, and all participants will be expected to sign liability waivers upon arrival. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 and over at monthly community volunteer days. General rules include staying on trails; no dogs or other pets (with the exception of service animals under specific control conditions); no horses, bikes, or motorized vehicles except as specified for wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices; no tobacco or alcohol; no camping; leaving no trace with trashcans located by the amphitheater and parking areas; no collection of wildlife or plants; no fishing; and no drones. Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices are allowed subject to specific limitations, including being no wider than 36 inches, electric vehicles only, not exceeding 5 mph, staying on designated trails and the right side of the circulation route, yielding to pedestrians, operating in a safe manner, and following the manufacturer’s recommendations, with the possibility of being asked to leave if operated in an unsafe or disruptive manner.
Last updated May 23, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Monthly bilingual bird walks typically run 10am–12pm, and monthly community volunteer days typically run 9am–12pm
• Price: The preserve is open free to the public.
Guided nature hikes are led by professional naturalist and educator Amy Davis. Monthly bilingual bird walks are led by Alexander Vaca, a bilingual biologist focused on birds, amphibians, and rare or protected flora, with experience in conservation, restoration, and wildland firefighting. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Alexander Vaca from the Ventura County Resource Conservation District leads the monthly bilingual bird walks, and the Ventura Sierra Club regularly hosts volunteer events at the Santa Clara River Preserve. The mission of the Santa Clara River Preserve is to provide access to the Santa Clara River as a space for outdoor education, community gatherings, wildlife viewing, and hiking, with the hope that the preserve gives everyone a chance to connect with the dynamic Santa Clara River.
For monthly bilingual bird walks, binoculars are provided, participants can expect to walk 2–3 miles, are advised to wear sun protection, bring water, and meet in the parking lot. For monthly community volunteer days, participants are advised to bring or wear sun-protective clothing, closed-toed shoes, and water, and all participants will be expected to sign liability waivers upon arrival. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 and over at monthly community volunteer days. General rules include staying on trails; no dogs or other pets (with the exception of service animals under specific control conditions); no horses, bikes, or motorized vehicles except as specified for wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices; no tobacco or alcohol; no camping; leaving no trace with trashcans located by the amphitheater and parking areas; no collection of wildlife or plants; no fishing; and no drones. Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices are allowed subject to specific limitations, including being no wider than 36 inches, electric vehicles only, not exceeding 5 mph, staying on designated trails and the right side of the circulation route, yielding to pedestrians, operating in a safe manner, and following the manufacturer’s recommendations, with the possibility of being asked to leave if operated in an unsafe or disruptive manner.
Last updated May 23, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.