Volunteer at Mill Bend Preserve
2025-08-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
When: Wednesday, August 20, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd, Gualala (map)
No RSVP required.
We need your help removing invasive plants at Mill Bend Preserve!
Join us at Mill Bend to spread wood chips near the historic Gualala Cemetery. We’ll be mulching with cardboard and wood chips to stop the spread of invasive periwinkle vines, and allow the native vegetation to reestablish and thrive.

Sophia Pisciotta, stewardship director for RCLC, will be sharing information about ongoing restoration at Mill Bend Preserve and how this work fits into those efforts.

Please dress to work outside, and bring your water bottle. If you don’t have gloves to bring, we have some available.

Bird Walk: Gualala River Estuary
2025-10-04 08:30 - 10:30 | Mill Bend Preserve, 46698 Old Stage Rd, Gualala, CA, United States
When: Saturday, October 4, 8:30 AM
Where: Park at the Gualala River access area on Mill Bend Preserve, located on the west side of Highway 1 (immediately north of the Gualala River bridge). Turn at the sign for River Bend Kayaks. We encourage carpooling, as space is limited.
RSVP: The event is free. Please no dogs.

Join us for a bird walk in the Gualala River estuary! We will begin at the edge of the Gualala River, where we typically see a variety of song birds, raptors, and water birds. This rich habitat offers a unique opportunity to observe a wide variety of species in one of the most scenic spots on the coast. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious about the local wildlife, all are welcome.

Kayak Tour: Habitat in the Gualala River Estuary
2025-10-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Mill Bend Preserve, 46698 Old Stage Rd, Gualala, CA, United States
Where: Meet at River Bend Kayaks on the west side of Highway 1 (immediately north of the Gualala River bridge).
RSVP: Contact rgagnon@rclc.org to reserve your spot on the tour. $35 to reserve a kayak, or you can bring your own.
Join us for a paddle through the Gualala estuary!

Explore fish habitat up close while learning about the life history and habitat needs of salmon and steelhead. We’ll discuss how scientists monitor wild populations, current restoration strategies, and some of the inspiring success stories happening right here along the Mendocino Coast.

This tour will be led by Sarah Gallagher, Senior Environmental Scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. With over 25 years of experience working with salmon and steelhead in California, Sarah focuses on tracking wild populations in coastal Mendocino County watersheds. She earned her degree in Fisheries Biology and Management from Frostburg State University, and has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries. Since 2019, she’s led long-term monitoring efforts under the California Monitoring Plan—a collaborative, coastwide effort to support salmonid recovery.

The tour will also be led by Dave Wright, who has been a salmonid dedicated fisheries biologist/habitat specialist on the Mendocino Coast for the past 25 years. In that period, Dave worked on projects ranging from monitoring, research, management, and in-stream habitat restoration. Before retiring in 2021, he finished his career as a Project Director for The Nature Conservancy’s North Coast Restoration Project, which focused on large estuary restoration projects in the Ten Mile and Garcia Rivers.

Restoring the River: Community Event
2025-10-11 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 a community event celebrating the Gualala River and connect with those who are working to protect it. This project is funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program.

At 2:00PM, Eric Wilder, former chairman of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, will open the event with a Kashia Pomo song and talk about the cultural significance of the Gualala River.

This will be followed by a panel discussion with RCLC and scientists from Prunuske Chatham, Inc. (PCI) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on early design concepts aimed at improving fish habitat in the Gualala River estuary.

Panelists include:

Matt Erickson – Fisheries Biologist and Grant Manager, CDFW. With over 30 years of experience in salmon management and habitat restoration, Matt plays a key role in the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program.
Carrie Lukacic – Principal Environmental Planner, PCI. Specializing in CEQA/NEPA compliance and environmental permitting, Carrie manages complex land management and restoration projects from concept to implementation.
Lauren Hammack – Geomorphologist, PCI. An expert in stream restoration design, Lauren brings 20 years of experience applying geomorphology, ecology, and hydrology to create effective, stakeholder-informed restoration solutions.
Moderated by Jim Elias, Executive Director, Redwood Coast Land Conservancy

A Q&A session with the panelists will follow the discussion. You can ask questions in person or submit them online here.

Throughout the afternoon , explore the river’s history, find out who won the Gualala River Community Photo Contest, enjoy light refreshments, and celebrate the importance of the river in our community.

Try Your Hand at Gyotaku Fish Printing: Discover the traditional Japanese art of Gyotaku, which originated in the early 1800s as a way for fishermen to document their catches. In this hands-on activity, you’ll use life-like rubber fish to create your very own fish print—while learning about the fascinating fish species found in our local waters.

Stop by educational booths to connect with state, federal, and local partners, including CDFW, Friends of the Gualala River, the Gualala River Stream Team, the Gualala River Watershed Council, Sonoma County Regional Parks, and more.

This work is part of a collaborative restoration effort funded by CDFW’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program, and developed in alignment with long-term ecological goals set by CDFW and NOAA Fisheries.

Explore the Historic Gualala Cemetery
2025-10-25 15:00 - 16:30 | Mill Bend Preserve, 46698 Old Stage Rd, Gualala, CA, United States
When: Saturday, October 25, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd, Gualala (map). The cemetery is located across from the cottage.
RSVP: The event is free.
Explore the Historic Gualala Cemetery
Discover the stories of the pioneers who settled the Mendonoma Coast and the town of Gualala starting in the 1870s. Learn about the area’s rich history through guided visits and conversations with knowledgeable volunteers, who will share insights into the cemetery’s past and current restoration efforts.
Additional historical and genealogical information about the cemetery and those buried there is available online.

Outdoor Social Club with Mendocino Land Trust
2025-11-01 11:00 - 13:00 | Hearn Gulch, 29720 Highway 1, Gualala, CA, 95445, United States
When: Saturday, November 1, 11:00 AM
Where: Hearn Gulch, located 5 miles south of Point Arena.
RSVP: The event is free. Please RSVP to info@mendocinolandtrust.org.

We’re joining our friends from Mendocino Land Trust for an outing at Hearn Gulch!
Enjoy some hot cider and donuts as we take a walk along the trail. The bluffs of Hearn Gulch provide dramatic views of the ocean, volcanic rock formations, and a narrow sea tunnel. Depending on the ocean tide and surf conditions, this tunnel produces a distinctively loud (and impressive!) sound.
As we explore, RCLC ‘s executive director, Jim Elias, and MLT’s executive director, Conrad Kramer, will discuss how both organizations prioritize preserving and restoring habitat along this stretch of the coast. They will also answer questions about a new trail project that will connect Hearn Gulch to Saunders Landing, adding another link to the California Coastal Trail.

Wreaths & Winter Crafts at Mill Bend Preserve
2025-12-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Mill Bend Preserve, 46698 Old Stage Rd, Gualala, CA, United States
When: Saturday, December 6, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd, Gualala (map)
RSVP: The event is free. Refreshments will be served.
Ring in the season at RCLC’s annual wreath making event! Every December, friends and neighbors gather at Mill Bend Preserve to craft holiday decor from natural materials found right on site. Tables overflow with holly, fir, redwood, eucalyptus, and other fresh greens, and our team will show you how to weave branches into festive wreaths and winter centerpieces. Enjoy hot drinks, tasty treats, and a range of crafts for kids—and kids at heart. Drop by, get creative, and take home a touch of nature for the holiday season.
We will hold the event rain or shine. No dogs at this event, but please feel free to take your furry friend for a walk on the many trails throughout the Preserve.

Volunteer at Mill Bend Preserve
2026-01-24 11:00 - 13:00 | CA
When: Saturday, January 24, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd, Gualala (map)
No RSVP required.

Spend the afternoon outside with us and help the native vegetation reestablish at Mill Bend Preserve!

We’ll be laying down cardboard and spreading wood chips to smother invasive Vinca, allowing the native plants to reclaim the areas. Vinca, also known as Periwinkle, is a fast-spreading, non-native groundcover that forms dense mats and crowds out native plants. Vinca was likely planted in the cemetery as an ornamental and has spread to neighboring areas. Sheet mulching blocks sunlight and prevents regrowth. Over time, the cardboard breaks down naturally, improving soil health and creating space for native plants to return.

This is an easy, hands-on activity, and kids are welcome to join in too.

Please dress to work outside, and bring your water bottle. If you don’t have gloves to bring, we have some available.

Bird Walk at Mill Bend Preserve
2026-02-23 08:30 - 10:30 | 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 Mill Bend Preserve
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 09:00 - 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
