Yolo Basin Foundation is a leader in innovative partnerships and provides environmental education programs for thousands of individuals annually in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, City of Davis Wetlands and Grasslands Regional Park. The Foundation is instrumental in promoting conservation of the area through its education programs.
Covering 16,700 acres, the Wildlife Area stretches below the busy throughway I-80—also known as the Yolo Causeway—that connects Yolo County and the City of Davis to the metropolitan area of Sacramento. This special Wildlife Area functions for flood control, wildlife and habitat management, wildlife-friendly agriculture, and recreation and educational uses. It provides a wide variety of benefits:
Caraies Sacramento River water at overflow to the Delta, thus providing vital flood protection for the Sacramento Region.
Offers an array of recreational activities for nature enthusiasts, such as hiking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, vernal pool exploration, and wildlife viewing
Creates research opportunities for environmentalists, conservationists, and educators.
Provides an agricultural zone to produce food for the region and the world through rice farming and cattle grazing.
Yolo Basin Foundation’s 2024 program highlights include:
Conducted 100 Discover the Flyway field trips and programs, reaching 2500 students. Over 80,000 students have participated since Discover the Flyway's inception in 1997.
Presented 26 guided tours, for 502 participants, at the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area and City of Davis Wetlands.
Over 10,000 community members participated in Yolo Basin Foundation programs, activities, and events, leading to greater awareness of conservation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife in the Yolo Basin
Collaborated with 200 volunteers who contributed 6,480 hours toward education programs and community events.
Partnered with Yolo Basin stakeholders for a collaborative approach to management and use of the Wildlife Area. Over 1,200 people participated in our Duck Days family festival.
Provided 57 Bat Talk and Walk programs that educated over 3,700 participants about the Mexican Free-tailed bats that fly out each night from the Yolo Causeway during summer months. including guided observations of the bat flyout.
Received a $2.5 million grant from State Parks for capital improvement projects including improvement of the Yolo Demonstration Wetlands where the Discover the Flyway school field trips occur and Yolo Basin Foundation is located, additional and improved signage in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, and the purchase and outfitting of a mobile visitors center that will be used in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and at other outreach events.