2026 STAGE EcoShasta | S.E.A.

Caldwell Lake Field Trip w/CNPS
2023-07-22 08:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Caldwell Lake Field Trip
Saturday, July 22, 8 am
This 4-mile round trip, joint SEA/CNPS field trip in the Scott Mountains is in an alpine area, has an elevation gain of 1300’, and will be saturated with lush meadows as well as views of both Mt. Shasta and Mt. Eddy.
The serpentine-influenced vegetation on this hike will have California pitcher plant and a diversity of wildflowers. This beautiful trail follows Park Creek for part of the distance, which happens to be the headwaters of the Shasta River.
The trail, which usually has few people on it, will have a forest canopy mixed with open areas of meadows. The trailhead is east of the town of Weed and starts at an elevation of 6900 ft,. climbing to 7200 ft at the height of the hike, and is considered a moderate hike. There should be pretty mild temperatures – a relief from the valley heat!
Bring two bottles of water, lunch and a hat. We will leave Redding at 8 am. To sign up, contact walk leader David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org for more information.

Heart Lake Hike (Mt. Shasta Area)
2023-07-15 08:00 - 13:00
Heart Lake & Castle Lake Hike (Mt. Shasta Area)
Saturday, July 15, 8 am

Heart Lake has one of the most beautiful views of Mt. Shasta in our area and we can’t wait to have you join us for this three-mile moderate-difficulty hike to get to it! The climb is relatively steep in parts with a total 1,175 ft. elevation gain but is fairly easy for most people. The trail should have some flowering plants on the hike up and around the lake.
We will meet in the Mt. Shasta Mall parking lot near Chase Bank at 8 am and carpool or caravan to the trailhead. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, a hat, plenty of water, and your camera (if you’re so inclined!).
For more information, contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org. We can have lunch in Mt. Shasta, or you can bring your own for the hike.

BLM Restoration Field Trip with SEA
2023-07-01 08:00 - 09:30
BLM Restoration Field Trip with SEA
Saturday, July 1, 8:00 am
Email david@ecoshasta.org to sign up
Shasta Environmental Alliance (SEA) will be sponsoring a field trip led by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ecologist Brooke Thompson at a 426-acre property on the Sacramento River near Battle Creek. This will be more of a driving and walking lecture than a hike as Brooke will explain how the BLM plan to restore this riparian area. This will be an exciting and rare opportunity to see the “before” picture of a long-term restoration project with an explanation of all of the issues involved and the sensitive species that will be helped. The area is on the east side of the Sacramento River. To sign up and for meeting information contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org. See below for an excellent description of the project.
The Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office acquired the 426-acre Rancho Breisgau Unit adjacent to Battle Creek and the Sacramento River in 2011 to restore the area to a riparian oak woodland. This project is part of a landscape initiative to restore the Battle Creek watershed due to its critical importance for threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead runs (notably Endangered winter-run Chinook), the Western Monarch, the Threatened Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and the Threatened Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle.
This BLM property has been heavily degraded and fragmented for over a century due to intensive agriculture. Landscape conversions over such a long period have resulted in fallow fields dominated by non-native, invasive species. Currently, a stark 10% of Valley riparian forests in California remains due to decades of decline from agriculture, urbanization, and altered hydrology. It is critical that the BLM seeks out riparian restoration projects on large pieces of contiguous land so these ecosystems can be conserved for the enjoyment and benefit of current and future generations.
This project is to implement the Rancho Breisgau riparian restoration on approximately 130 acres. Site preparation will include the removal of walnut orchards and the manual and chemical treatment of non-native, invasive species. Currently, the site is 100% dominated by a monoculture of Cal-IPC-listed invasive species growing to the maximum extent of their phenology. Intensive treatment of invasive species, including mechanical and chemical treatments, will be critical prior to planting and will also remove a major source of weed seed from BLM-administered land. After initial site preparation native trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs will be planted and irrigated until they are self-sustaining around 3 years. This important step of riparian restoration is critical to the success of these projects and will drastically improve the success of the restoration. Restoration in valley ecosystems is among the most important work we can do to conserve sensitive species’ habitats, protect threatened ecosystem types, and fight the climate crisis.

Iron Mountain Mine Superfund Site Presentation
2023-06-21 18:00 - 19:30
Iron Mountain Mine Superfund Site
Wednesday, June 21, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Redding Library Community Room

This presentation, originally scheduled in March, was canceled after 30 minutes by the library staff because of a snowstorm. Due to many requests, we have rescheduled it for June 21. It is an excellent talk.

The Iron Mountain Mine northwest of Redding and above Keswick Lake was once one of the worst point sources of water pollution in the United States. It regularly polluted the Sacramento River with toxic chemicals until it was established as a Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1983. It also has the world’s most acidic water, -3.8 on the scientific scale of acidity.

It is not an understatement to say that the Iron Mountain Mine Superfund Site is a unique place that attracts scientific interest globally. It is located just above Keswick Reservoir. Tom Wallis, has been doing consulting work on the Mine for over 10 years for the United States Environmental Protection Agency. He will give a presentation on the mine’s history, including the release of toxic minerals into the Sacramento River, the startup of the Superfund site, and the nationally recognized successful remediation that protects the water of the Sacramento River.
For more information, contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org

Heart Lake & Castle Lake Hike
2023-06-17 08:00 - 10:00
Heart Lake & Castle Lake
Mt. Shasta Area
Saturday, June 17, 8 am
This three-mile moderate-difficulty hike to Heart Lake has one of the most beautiful views of Mt. Shasta in the area. (See the SEA Facebook cover photo by Stacey Alexander) The climb is fairly steep in parts with a total 1,175 ft. elevation gain but is fairly easy for most people. The trail should have a great variety of flowering plants on the hike up and around the lake.
We will meet in the Mt. Shasta Mall parking lot near Chase Bank at 8 am and carpool or caravan to the trailhead. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, a hat, and plenty of water.
For more information, contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org. We can have lunch in Mt. Shasta, or you can bring your own for the hike.

SEA 4th Annual Sulphur Creek Cleanup
2023-06-10 08:00 - 09:30
SEA 4th Annual Sulphur Creek Cleanup
Saturday, June 10th, 8 am
SEA will be holding our fourth annual upper Sulphur Creek Cleanup on Saturday, June 10. Help SEA clean up this creek and stop debris from reaching the Sacramento River and eventually the Ocean. We will start near Quartz Hill Road and work on the creek’s main stream and a feeder stream. This is a fairly easy creek cleanup, but it does involve hiking down a ¼-mile trail to the creek and back.
Bring gloves, water, and a hat. For directions and more information contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org.

Sacramento River Trail Native Plant Identification Walk (south side)
2023-05-25 08:00 - 10:00
Sacramento River Trail Native Plant Identification Walk (south side)
Thursday, May 25th, 8 am
Diestlehorst Bridge Parking lot
This native plant walk on the south side of the Sacramento River Trail will be led by the Shasta Environmental Alliance and the Shasta Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. This is a chance for you to learn about the many plants you see along the River Trail and a little about their natural history.
A plant list will be given to all participants to help them identify the plants. This will be an easy walk of about 2 ½ miles on a paved trail lasting 2 hours. Meet at the Diestlehorst Bridge Parking lot on Thursday at 8 am.
For more information, contact walk leader David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org

Clear Creek Greenway: Over 20 years of restoration success
2023-05-11 18:00 - 19:30
Clear Creek Greenway: Over 20 years of restoration success

Thursday, May 11 at 6 pm

IOOF Hall, 1504 Market St., Enter 1433 Butte St.

FREE

Shasta Environmental Alliance will be presenting a talk on Clear Creek Restoration, by Tricia Bratcher, a biologist with US Fish and Wildlife Service, who has been involved with the restoration of lower Clear Creek riparian areas below Whiskeytown Dam for over 20 years, working on federal land with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and now with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

She will talk about the history of Clear Creek during the gold mining era and the restoration work of the last 30 years. The topics will include the planting of willows and other riparian plants, injecting spawning gravel, addressing tailing piles, and removal of a small diversion dam that was blocking migrating salmon from spawning upstream, along with associated conceptual restoration planning and monitoring. She will also discuss the adverse effect the Carr Fire had on the fishery due to ashes and other debris covering the water’s surface.

Tricia is an experienced lecturer and will have a fascinating presentation.

The public is welcome to this free event. Enter through the side door at 1433 Butte Street.

For more information, contact david@ecoshasta.org

Sacramento River Trail Wildflower and Native Plant Identification Walk (North Side)
2023-05-04 08:00 - 10:00
Sacramento River Trail Wildflower and Native Plant Identification Walk (North Side)
End of Harlan Drive
Thursday, May 4, 8 am

This wildflower walk on the north Sacramento River Trail will be led by the Shasta Environmental Alliance and the Shasta Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. This is a chance for many of you to learn about the many plants you see along the River Trail and a little about their natural history.
A plant list will be given to all participants to help them identify the plants later. This will be an easy walk of about 2 miles with one hill. Meet at the end of Harlan Drive on Thursday, May 4 at 8 am.
For more information, contact david@ecoshasta.org

Native Plant Identification and Uses
2023-04-30 13:00 - 16:00
Join native Wintu, Ted Dawson, on a spring walk while he locates, identifies, and explains medicinal and general uses of native plants. Ted consulted and provided technical support at Turtle Bay for Native American exhibits. Today’s presentation includes making a natural poison oak remedy. Bring a jar with you to take some home!

Meet at the Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve parking area on Clear Creek Road, just west of the Clear Creek Bridge, for this event.

McClure Trail Fieldtrip
2023-04-29 09:00 - 15:00
McClure Trail Fieldtrip
Lassen National Forest
April 29, 2023 – 9 am

The McClure Trail is near the Ishi Wilderness area above Paynes Creek and hosts a diversity of plants closer to those commonly found in the Sierra Foothills south into Nevada County. This is a four-mile out-and-back moderate-difficulty trail that traverses different habitats, ending at a meadow at the North Fork of Antelope Creek. Expect to see many yellow star mariposa lilies, lupines, blue dicks, ookow, and scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia). This is a unique area of different habitats and plants than we see in Redding.

Meet at the Shasta Mall parking lot near Chase Bank at 9 am for carpooling/caravan. Bring plenty of water, lunch, and gas money for ride sharing. No dogs, please.

For more information, contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org

Film: One Word – Sawalmem
2023-04-26 17:30 - 19:30
Be inspired by film!
Come watch One Word- Sawalmem- a film “of great power and purpose… an uplifting, internationally-acclaimed, Native-directed short film that’s good for the whole family to watch. The 20-min film is based on one single question: What’s one word from your sacred language that changed your life and that you can offer to the next generation as medicine to heal our relationship with the Earth? The film is an exploration of the answer given by Michael “Pom” Preston of the Winnemem Wintu tribe of Mt. Shasta.”
Following the film we will have time for discussion.

Earth Day Festival!
2023-04-22 11:00 - 16:00
Shasta Environmental Alliance (SEA) will be hosting an all-ages Earth Day celebration in Caldwell Park on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Check out www.seashasta.org for all the details!

A variety of organizations, including local environmental groups, will be there teaching children and adults about the importance of our environment. There will also be multiple organizations hosting hikes, educational events, and other experiences during the month of April in conjunction with this Earth Day event.

We hope to see you there!

Greywater Demonstration
2023-04-22 09:00 - 12:00
In conjunction with Earth Day April 22, from 9 am to noon Shasta College Horticultural Program will present “Designing for greywater water reuse in the landscape,” a lecture and demonstration of hooking up your greywater and rainwater to irrigate your garden at the Teen Center in Caldwell Park.
Christopher Reamer (ALT Water Systems) is a Landscape Contractor specializing in water reuse irrigation systems utilizing greywater and rainwater. In addition to offering design/build, they are also active in a variety of educational programs dealing with landscape water conservation and management. Awarded the “Water Awareness of the Year” award for Business in 2013 from the City of Santa Rosa, Chris is impassioned to share this imperative work with diverse professionals and homeowners as we move into a new era of water awareness.
The presentation: “Designing for greywater water reuse in the landscape” will discuss design and construction specifics about integrating greywater in sustainable landscaping. Topics covered include:

Dual plumbing for greywater
Low-tech and High-tech systems
Permitting and code-compliance
Calculating greywater production and irrigation offsets
Integrating Greywater with rainwater and freshwater systems
Designing for future expansion
Case studies and lessons learned
New technologies

Film: Kiss the Ground
2023-04-19 17:30 - 19:30
Be inspired by film!
Come watch Kiss the Ground- a film in which “activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians turn to regenerative agriculture to save the planet’s topsoil, and combat climate change.”
Following the film we will have time for discussion and resource sharing. Be a part of the solution!

Native Plant Garden Tour
2023-04-16 13:00 - 14:00
Native plant garden tour of the Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden at the North Valley Art League Gallery in Caldwell Park. Doug Mandel, a Master Gardener, native plant specialist and founder of Ghost Pine Native Plant Nursery will lead a tour of this garden at Carter House in Caldwell Park on Sunday, April 16 at 1 pm.
Doug will explain the attributes of the native plants and answer questions you have about establishing a garden, both native and non-native.

Plant and Community Ecology Walk
2023-04-16 09:00 - 12:00
Ever wonder what the name of a plant you were looking at along the trail? Or, maybe you have wondered why that plant was growing where it is? Or maybe you’re interested in knowing what functions the plant performs in the ecosystem? We will explore all of these questions on this walk! We will learn to identify some key plants (both native and invasive) in the landscape and how they relate to the community and ecosystem. We will walk along the trail short distances and take time to explore the plant community around us.

All ages are encouraged to come explore the ecology of Clear Creek with BLM’s Laura Brodhead.

Meet at the HCCP parking area on Clear Creek Road, just west of the Clear Creek Bridge, for this event.

Geology of Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve (HCCP)
2023-04-15 10:00 - 12:00
Kody Shellhouse, a geologist with the Bureau of Land Management, will take us on a two-mile stroll along old roads and trails near HCCP. Come enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise while you learn about the rocky history of the area.

This hike meets at the yellow steel gate, on the south side of Clear Creek Road, about 6 miles west of highway 273 (1 mile east of the HCCP parking area)

Birding with Friends
2023-04-15 10:00 - 12:00
Hosted by the Wildlife Society – Sacramento Shasta Chapter and Shasta Wildlife Rescue
10:00 a.m. – talk about local wildlife from Shasta Wildlife Rescue
11:00 a.m. – join Shasta Wildlife Rescue for some birding in Anderson River Park!
Where: 3752 Rupert Rd., Anderson, CA (park by the Shasta Wildlife Rescue building)
The Shasta Wildlife Rescue will give a talk around 10 AM on wildlife rescue, what to do if folks find injured wildlife, and maybe show an education animal if available. Once that is done (and depending on how many folks attend) we’ll break up into smaller groups and take folks birding around Anderson River Park. I’m hoping to have some chapter volunteers available to lead small groups.
Questions? Email sac.shasta@gmail.com

Buckeye Water Treatment Plant Tour
2023-04-06 09:30 - 11:30
Buckeye Water Treatment Plant Tour
Old Shasta
Thursday, April 6, 9:30 am
This field trip will be limited to the first 20 people who sign up. To reserve a space, email david@ecoshasta.org

Shasta Environmental Alliance has arranged for a tour of the City of Redding Buckeye Water Treatment Plant in the hills north of Old Shasta and above Keswick Reservoir. We will meet at the Holiday Market parking lot near CVS at Placer and Buena Ventura to carpool/caravan to the plant.
This plant treats water coming from Whiskeytown Lake from a penstock that runs from the lake, through Old Shasta, and continues on to the Keswick Power Plant on Iron Mountain Road. City staff will give us a complete tour and explanation of the operation of the plant. This plant also sits above the Spring Creek Reservoir storing water draining from Iron Mt. Mine.
The plant was kept running by city staff during the Carr Fire as it burned on both sides of it and on to the town of Keswick and Redding.

For an excellent article on how city staff saved the plant as the Carr Fire burned around it go to: Treatment Plant Operators: The Unsung Heroes of California’s Carr Fire
Again, this field trip will be limited to the first 20 people who sign up. To reserve a space, email david@ecoshasta.org

Turtle Bay Bird Sanctuary Walk
2023-04-06 09:00 - 11:00
Join Wintu Audubon Society for a walk on a mile of the Sacramento River Trail through the Turtle Bay Bird Sanctuary. Spring migration, the theme for this month’s walk, will be revving up as swallows, warblers, and orioles begin to stream northward to their breeding grounds. We will search the trees for their brilliant yellows and oranges.
Meet at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, in front of Branch House Riverfront Bistro near the main entrance to Turtle Bay Museum. We will spend two to three hours walking slightly over one mile of paved trail. Bathrooms can be accessed at Turtle Bay Museum.
Contact trip leader Tricia Ford at triciathebirdnerd@gmail.com for more information.

Millville Plains Wildflower Driving Field Trip
2023-04-02 13:30 - 17:30
Millville Plains Wildflower Driving Field Trip
Sunday, April 2, 1:30 pm

This will be a drive-and-stop tour of Millville Plains and a walk through the vernal pools near the old Lumber Jack. We will stop and identify plants along the road in Millville Plains and then stop at the vernal pools in Redding on our return.

An excellent field guide for this trip is Field Guide to the Vernal Pools of Mather Field by Carol Witham, if you can get a copy.

We will meet at the Mt. Shasta Mall parking lot near Chase Bank at 1:30 pm. No dogs on this field trip, please.
For more information, contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org

Permaculture Influence
2023-04-01 10:00 - 12:00
Learn self-sufficient and sustainable agricultural practices at our workshop on April 1, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Garden of Hope, 3626 Railroad Ave, Redding. There will be a $5.00 charge to cover materials and seeds. This workshop is sponsored by Shasta College, UCCE, and Providence International.
The workshop will be followed by plant starts swap for Garden Starts Co-Op for those who want to participate.
• Basic Permaculture Principles Backyard Chickens
• Goats/Small Ruminants
• Rain Harvesting
• Building your Soil
• Permaculture & Outdoor Living Space
For more info please call Shasta Master Gardeners at (530) 242-2219

CANCELED: Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up – Clear Creek
2023-04-01 09:00 - 13:00
*CANCELED DUE TO RAIN AND SAFETY CONCERNS*

Volunteers will clean up a stretch of Clear Creek Road around the Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve (HCCP). We will provide vests for visibility, tools to pick up small items, and garbage bags. PLEASE BRING GLOVES.

Lunch/snacks will be provided after the clean-up off-site at the Carl’s Jr. on Westside Road.

Meet at the HCCP parking area on Clear Creek Road, just west of the Clear Creek Bridge, for this event.

Nomlaki Trail Field Trip
2023-03-25 08:00 - 14:00
Nomlaki Trail Field Trip
Mendocino National Forest, Tehama County
Saturday, March 25, 8 am

The Nomlaki Trail in the foothills of Mendocino National Forest, west of Paskenta. It is a three-mile, easy-to-moderate roundtrip hike at 2000 ft. elevation. This trail has a wide diversity of serpentine plants and should have many new wildflowers as it recovers from a fire several years ago. This will be primarily a mixed chaparral field trip with a great understory of wildflowers. Time permitting, we will drive further up the road to a conifer zone.

Bring plenty of water, lunch, and gas money for ride-sharing. Dogs on leashes at all times are welcome. Meet at the CVS parking lot on Placer Street in Redding at 8 am to carpool to the trailhead.
For more information, contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org

Post Carr Fire Vegetation Management Field Trip with BLM: Rescheduled
2023-03-18 09:00 - 13:00
Post Carr Fire Vegetation Management Field Trip with BLM: Rescheduled
Westside Trail (end of Kilkee Drive)
Saturday, March 18, 2023, 9 am
The Shasta Environmental Alliance and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field trip was canceled due to snow, but it is rescheduled for March 18 at 9 am. This will be a walk-and-talk field trip on the West Side trail system to look at recent fuels reduction work. In the last few months, many people who hike and bike these trails have seen drastic changes to parts of the trail system. This is an opportunity to walk through various project zones and talk about different treatments’ short- and long-term impacts. We will look at untreated areas, more aggressively thinned areas, and modified treatment areas. Each zone has pros and
cons – and talking through it on the ground helps to explain the ins and outs of fuels management and ecosystem management.
This is an opportunity to learn from experts in the field. Hike leaders are Brooke Thompson, a BLM ecologist concerned about protecting native plants and wildlife on BLM lands, and Garrett Dunn, an experienced BLM Fire Management Officer. They will discuss the pros and cons of various fire treatment areas that we will walk through, from no fire treatment to heavy clearing. Your questions will be answered about fire recovery and the plants and animals of the Westside Trail complex during this walk-and-talk.
Meet at the Westside Trailhead at the end of Kilkee Drive on Saturday, March 18 at 9 am. This will be an easy two-to-three-mile walk. Bring good walking shoes and a water bottle. Light showers mean we will continue, but heavy rains will cancel. For more information, contact David Ledger at david@ecoshasta.org
