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Sacramento River Discovery Center

Nature's Classroom

Discover the vision of the Sacramento River Discovery Center. Imagine the experience of learning in a 488 acre outdoor classroom located on the Sacramento River, at the Red Bluff Recreation Area. Enjoy walking trails through native habitats such as a riparian forest, flowering grasslands, wetlands, and oak woodlands.

People from many diverse agencies and organizations, representing a broad-based community effort, came together to create a place that promotes understanding of the balance between the river, its watershed and the community. The goals of this endeavor were laid out as:

  1. Show the evolution of the Sacramento River Watershed and demonstrate that balanced use of its natural resources is dynamic and often a struggle between competing interests.
  2. Provide a place for on-going research which supports an understanding of the watershed.
  3. Improve the public viewing of flora and fauna typical of the watershed.
  4. Create and maintain a forum for education, dialogue, and information about resource management and recreational opportunities along the river.
  5. Assist with the coordination of activities in the Red Bluff Recreation Area.
  6. Promote and enhance information and education partnerships with public and private organizations.

The Sacramento River Discovery Center hosts a visitor's center that is open to the general public Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The center contains educational displays and hands-on interpretive displays. The center also hosts monthly evening programs, an annual dinner meeting, and a Watershed Celebration on the third Saturday in May. For more information, call (530) 527-1196.

Discovery Garden

The two acre Discovery Garden was designed to illustrate low water use landscaping. Plants were selected based on their decorative qualities in addition to their easy maintenance and low water needs. The 150 different plant species are either California native or adapted to our California climate. On the last Saturday in October the Center hosts an annual garden festival/plant sale. Discovery Garden is always open.

Educational Programs

The Sacramento River Discovery Center offers numerous educational programs including: the high school Natural Resource Academy provided through a joint partnership with the Red Bluff Joint Union High School District, the summer intern program with Lassen Volcanic National Park, professional development training for teacher, and programs for school groups, including day activities, raft trips, and overnight camping. more information »

(Page Modified 3/15/06 )
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[Link]: United States Department of Agriculture national web site. [Link]: Forest Service national web site.