Summer Nature Camp
Our Nature Camps are a fantastic week-long investigation into the interesting and delightful inner workings of the natural world. Every year we focus on a different theme, but there are always nature crafts, wading in the river, and fun songs and games. Our theme this year is Wild, Wet World.
To register for Nature Camp and for information about dates and times, please click on this link.

National Trails Day
Saturday June 14th, 2008
Join REI, the American River Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management for a trail maintenance event and stewardship project at Cronan Ranch and Magnolia Ranch. Volunteers will be rewarded with the satisfaction that comes from a hard day's work in addition to a tasty lunch. Please call (530) 621-1224 to sign up and to get more information about this stewardship activity.

Cutting Corners
Have you ever wondered why downed limbs always show up in the shortcuts created by trail users on switchbacks? Sure -- the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but switchbacks serve a great purpose and should be used by all. A properly designed and maintained switchback helps prevent trail erosion by preventing water on the trail from making the direction change. The typical trail against a hillside is slightly canted, or sloped, to allow water to flow from the hill above the trail, across the trail and down the hill without being captured by the trail tread. Over time, soil compaction and displacement on the trail creates a shallow trough that catches water and causes erosion as water flows on the trail rather than across it. The key to trail design and maintenance is to get the water off the trail. One way to do this is to reverse the cant to keep any water off the trail and force it to the outside corner of the switchback. This prevents the water from making the direction change and continuing down the next segment of the trail. Shortcuts are steeper than the trail segments they connect, making them more susceptible to damage. Trails are designed to allow people to explore nature while protecting the environment from unnecessary damage. The next time you are on your favorite trail, please remember not to cut any corners.