“Nature is not a place to visit; it is home,” writes Gary Snyder, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and UC Davis professor emeritus. And for UC Davis students and teachers, and for many living in the Davis area, the doorway to that home opens at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve.

Stebbins is one of 36 reserves in the statewide UC Natural Reserve System — a diverse set of protected ecosystems owned or managed by UC campuses. As the natural landscapes of California gradually recede from encroaching development, the six natural reserves that are managed by UC Davis are increasingly essential to the university’s mission of education, research and public outreach.

The Stebbins Reserve is a pleasant 45-minute drive from the UC Davis campus along the agricultural back roads of Yolo County. The 577-acre preserve in the green foothills near Winters is named for G. Ledyard Stebbins, an eminent evolutionary ecologist and botanist who taught at UC Davis from 1950 to 1973.

“Stebbins was one of the first to recognize its extraordinary biodiversity,” said Virginia “Shorty” Boucher, reserve director. “Faculty used it for field trips and classes for many years even before it was purchased and incorporated into the UC Natural Reserve System.”

Today, a diverse mix of public programs for children and adults provides an opportunity for them to experience and learn about the natural world. Guides lead outings that combine nature with their personal passions for science, theater, painting, poetry, photography, heart-pounding hill climbs or leisurely meanders. Some 750 people joined in more than 60 outings last year.

The goal is to inspire participants young and old alike, leaving them with a sense of place and a feeling of connection with the outdoors and its cycles of renewal, says Jeff Falyn, guide and program coordinator.

“It’s amazing to see people get turned on to a little piece of nature,” says Falyn. “Some people come to the reserve with very little exposure to the natural world. What draws them in initially is the range of themes we offer in our guided outings. If someone is interested in entomology they attend Bugs in the Night or if they love plants they might sign up for Botanical Drawing. The themes bring people to the reserve, and once they show up nature does the rest.”

Suanne Klahorst is a writer at UC Davis’ John Muir Institute of the Environment.

The spring issue of UC Davis Magazine includes comments from four people about their experiences at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve. You can read their stories online: ucdavismagazine.ucdavis.edu.

ADVENTURES AT STEBBINS

NATURE OUTINGS

Music in the Canyon — 4-7 p.m. April 18. Hike along the Homestead Trail, with several music breaks along the way. Local musicians sing and play, inspired by their natural surroundings. Hikers can listen or join in.

Watercolors and the Outdoors — 9 a.m.-noon April 26. Explore how to use watercolors to capture the colors and moods of the canyon. No experience necessary, just a willingness to experiment with paints and an openness to the surrounding beauty. All painting materials, as well as tea and scones, will be provided. Bring blankets, sun protection and teacups.

Nocturnal Happenings — 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 2. A walk featuring experiential activities to help children (ages 8 through 12) and adults connect to what takes place in the canyon at night, among plants and animals.

A Sensory Experience — 9 a.m.-noon May 3. Activities designed to highlight one sense over another. For example, the group might walk in silence for a while, to heighten the sense of sound.

Native Plants: How They Survive — 9 a.m.-noon May 9. Get the low-down on some of the remarkable water-saving adaptations of the canyon’s native plants.

Yoga With the Elements: Wild Organic Movement — 9 a.m.-noon May 16. A walking yoga class dedicated to the four elements: air, fire, earth and water. Please do not eat before class. If you need nourishment, bring a light protein snack for an hour into the outing. Also, bring plenty of water. All levels welcome.

Big Sur Overnight — May 23-25. At Big Creek Reserve, another part of the UC Natural Reserve System. This holiday weekend adventure features an introduction to the reserve, a natural history presentation, and plenty of hiking (moderate) and exploration. Participants are responsible for all travel and food. Sleeping accommodations (for Saturday and Sunday) have been made at the reserve for $40 per person. Or you can camp out. E-mail jfalyn@ucdavis.edu with questions.

Bugs in the Night — 7-9:30 p.m. May 30. With UC Davis Professor Phil Ward, who will use a black light and a white screen to attract a diverse range of insects.

By the Banks of Putah Creek — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6. Explore a private and remote section of Putah Creek, on an outing led by the property owners, Tom and Ginny Cahill. One-mile hike with an option for a longer distance paralleling the creek. Bring lunch and water.

Stargazing: Tour of the Night Sky — 8-11 p.m. June 13. After a 1 1⁄4-mile hike, settle into a meadow with guides from the UC Davis Astronomy Club. Wear appropriate clothing for evening; binoculars are optional.

Loop Trail: Summer Solstice at Sunrise — 5:30-10 a.m. June 21. Five miles of ups and downs with a 1,200-foot elevation gain. Many steps are interspersed with breathtaking views. Bring: sturdy shoes and at least a liter of water, plus sunscreen and a snack.

NATURE’S THEATER

Ages 1-4: Mother Nature and the Toddlers May 17.

Ages 4-8: How the Flowers Got Their Colors April 11, To Be a Tree April 19, Birdman May 9.

Ages 6-10: Trashman May 2, World of the Small May 31.

All Nature’s Theater programs run from 10 a.m. to noon, except for Mother Nature and the Toddlers, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Stebbins Cold Canyon is a unit of the UC Natural Reserve System. All events are open to the public, and all events in the reserve and on nearby lands are free. Reservations are required for all events, and be advised: events fill up quickly. E-mail Jeff Falyn, jfalyn@ucdavis.edu, with your name, address, event date, and phone number and-or e-mail address, and indicate whether you need directions. More information: nrs.ucdavis.edu/stebbins.html.