rclc.org

Bird Walk at Mill Bend Preserve
2026-02-23 08:30 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mill Bend Preserve, 46698 Old Stage Rd, Gualala, CA, United States
When: Monday, February 23, 8:30 AM
Where: Mill Bend Preserve. Meet at the pullout on the east side of Highway 1 (immediately north of the Gualala River bridge).
RSVP: The event is free. Please no dogs.

Join us for a bird walk at Mill Bend Preserve! We will begin at the edge of the Gualala River, where we typically see a variety of song birds, raptors, and water birds. We will then move to upper Mill Bend Preserve, where we will walk the meadows, chaparral & forest, and are likely to see many other species.

Sunrise Photo Walk
2026-03-22 07:30 - 08:30 | Kayak launch at gravel bar on Gualala River estuary
Where: Mill Bend Preserve. Meet at the pullout on the west side of Highway 1, near the kayak launch (immediately north of the Gualala River bridge).
RSVP: The event is free. Please no dogs.

Join RCLC’s first-ever Sunrise Photo Walk led by Gail Jackson, a local wildlife photographer and California Naturalist. This relaxed, approximately one-hour walk welcomes anyone who loves early mornings—photographers and non-photographers alike (no camera required). We’ll move slowly and quietly, using our senses to notice subtle movements, birdsong, and the seasonal scents of the redwood coast, all while practicing mindful observation to avoid disturbing the flora and fauna. Gail will share photography tips and naturalist insights along the way, but the focus is on experiencing the magic of dawn: soft light, waking animals, and the calm of a community starting its day. Coffee provided, while supplies last. Please dress in layers, bring water, and wear sturdy shoes for uneven trail footing.

Giants of the Pacific: Gray Whales on the Mendonoma Coast
2026-04-09 16:00 - 17:30 | The Sea Ranch Lodge, 60 Sea Walk Drive, The Sea Ranch, 95497, United States
When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 4pm
Where: The Sea Ranch Lodge
RSVP: Free
Join us in the stunning setting of the Sea Ranch Lodge and learn more about the Pacific Gray Whales along our coast!
Grab a drink from the bar and get comfortable in the Fireside Lounge as Scott and Tree Mercer share their research on one of the ocean’s most magnificent travelers. After the talk, step outside to explore the bluffs and look for gray whales yourself.
Scott and Tree Mercer bring their experience with firsthand fieldwork along the Sonoma and Mendocino coastline, weaving together population data, behavioral observations, and compelling visuals. They provide an engaging look at why these ocean giants matter, what threats they face, and what monitoring efforts like theirs reveal about the health of our oceans.

Scott Mercer has been studying marine mammals since 1974, founding New England Whale Watch in 1978 and co-founding research stations on both coasts. A co-author of The Great Whale Book and a pioneer of whale-watching recognized by NOAA, he brings 50 years of ocean observation to this talk. In 2014, he and Tree founded the Mendonoma Whale and Seal Study, documenting marine mammals along our stretch of the Sonoma and Mendocino coast.
Tree Mercer holds a Master’s in Science Education and spent 35 years teaching biology and physics. She coordinates the Mercers’ field data and designs their conference presentations. Together, Scott and Tree were featured in the Los Angeles Times and a UC Berkeley documentary for their work on the gray whale Unusual Mortality Event.

After the talk, sit back and relax with a jazz performance at 6pm. The bar will be open for wine, beer, cocktails, and light bites.

Spring at Mill Bend Preserve
2026-04-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Mill Bend Preserve, 46698 Old Stage Rd, Gualala, CA, United States
When: Saturday, April 11, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd, Gualala (map). Parking is available just inside the open gate. If you need assistance, you will be able to drive up to the Cottage.
RSVP: The event is free and will be held rain or shine. Refreshments will be provided.
Celebrate spring at Mill Bend Preserve! In the spirit of Earth Day, we’re coming together to appreciate the beauty of the season and the local ecosystem right in our backyard. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry while you explore the trails and enjoy the start of a new season.
This free community event has something for everyone:

Plant and pot a native plant to take home
Guided native plant walk at 10:30 AM (meet at the cottage)
Paint bird eggs & discover the birds calling Mill Bend home
Arts & crafts for kids and families

Pathways to Mill Bend Preserve
2026-10-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Gualala Arts Center, 46501 Old Stage Rd, Gualala, CA, 95445, United States
Where: Gualala Arts Center
RSVP: The event is free.
Join us for an event celebrating Pathways to Mill Bend Preserve, a multi-year initiative to create walkable, safe, and accessible public trails connecting the town of Gualala to Mill Bend Preserve and the Gualala River estuary.
A grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy supports this work.

More details to come.
