October 31, 2020
The area beyond the hunter check station is now closed to the general public for waterfowl season. See the Wildlife Area map for the location of the hunter check station, just east of Lot D. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays are hunt days. For questions about hunting or management of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (530) 757-2461.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Updates
July 14, 2020
There are currently no porta potties in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Please take this into consideration as you plan your visit! California Department of Fish and Wildlife is working to have them back in place as soon as possible. Thanks for your understanding.
You may have recently noticed additional animals in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area! The Wildlife Area is a multi-benefit, working landscape that includes a cattle grazing lease north of the I-80 Causeway. The cows are contained and behind an electric fence. Please give them space and admire from a distance! In the southern portions of the Wildlife Area, there are more areas leased for cattle grazing.
New Vic Fazio Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Sign Installed
Next time you drive east on Interstate 80, before you cross the Yolo Causeway, be sure to look for the brand-new sign that was installed on May 22, 2020. The sign displays the logos of the many Yolo Basin partners who worked together towards the establishment of the Vic Fazio Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. The original sign was destroyed during a big wind storm in the winter of 2017. “Yolo Basin Foundation is pleased to be able to honor former Congressman Vic Fazio by installing the new sign. His legacy lives on through the thousands of people who visit the 16,800-acre Vic Fazio Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area each year and the hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife that call it home,” stated Bill Ziebron, Yolo Basin Foundation Board Chair.
Ducks Unlimited provided the new sign design. Manufacture and installation of the sign was made possible through funding from California Department of Water Resources, California State Water Contractors Association, and Kathy Sawyer, wife of Vic Fazio.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Open Hours
The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) is open sunrise to sunset 364 days a year, except when flooded. Posted speed limit is 15 mph. Please be courteous of others and drive safely.
Spring and summer is rice season. This collaboration between local rice growers and the state helps with land management costs and creates bird friendly habitat. Additionally, those farming the area are required to set aside two parcels of land for summertime shorebird habitat. These areas are flooding in succession in July and August to provide the shallow water habitat preferred by migrating shorebirds. Location of these areas will be posted on our website and on our Facebook page.
October through February is hunt season. More information about hunting in the YBWA can be found here.
Green’s Lake – photo courtesy of Joy Elson
Yolo Healthy Parks Healthy People Partnership
Yolo Basin Foundation is partnering with Cache Creek Conservancy to bring the Healthy Parks Healthy People movement to Yolo County! It is a global movement with a holistic approach to promoting parks and public lands as a gateway to health by creating opportunities for our community members to engage with nature.
Ready to get outside? Check out the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area or join one of our guided tours of local wetlands!
For more information about Yolo Healthy Parks Healthy People and a list of nearby open spaces, visit Cache Creek Conservancy’s Yolo Healthy Parks Healthy People webpage.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is open everyday except December 25 and when flooded. The area is open sunrise to sunset. For directions to and a map of the YBWA, CLICK HERE.
New YBF Refund Policy
June 3, 2019
The following refund policy will take effect for all event ticket purchases made starting on June 4, 2019.
Refund Policy
Can’t make it? Consider making your payment a tax-deductible donation.
Please be certain you are able to attend before registering for a program. All refunds due to participant withdrawal are subject to a $10 administration fee. No refunds will be given within 14 days prior to the start of the program.
25 Years of Duck Days
In December 1992, the Yolo Environmental Resource Center and Yolo Basin Foundation put for a proposal for a YOLO DUCK DAYS festival. The vision was to offer field trips, workshops, lectures, and films “to educate and entertain…birders and others from around the country and world”. The inaugural Duck Days took place just about a year later in February 17-21, 1994. This year will we be celebrating California Duck Days‘ 25th Anniversary.
We hope you have enjoyed this wonderful community festival over the years and we hope to see you on Saturday, February 23.
Duck Days Steering Committee
Yolo Basin Foundation
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Waterfowl
City of Davis
Yolo Audubon
December 19, 2018
New YBF Membership Opportunities
April 23, 2018
We have revised our membership structure. Yolo Basin Foundation now offers Family and Corporate memberships in addition to Individual memberships. The “Family”, “Corporate”, and “Individual” titles are simply suggestions based on benefits. Those looking to support YBF and stay engaged with our programs are welcome to choose whichever membership best suits their interests.
Memberships are the bread-and-butter of our fundraising efforts, providing support for our education programs and conservation goals. We hope you will consider becoming a member. For more information, click here.
Thank you to all of our current members. We will see some of you tomorrow on the Members Only wildflower field trip! One of the many perks of having a YBF membership.