The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake

The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake Discover Your Own Backyard at the Neal Taylor Nature Center Come visit us sometime, you won't be disappointed!

Located in a picturesque old ranch house, the Neal Taylor Nature Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Dedicated to engaging children and their families in discovering their own backyards and other natural environments, here at the Center, we strive to provide an atmosphere of discovery through observation and experiential learning. Reconnecting children with nature encourages them to act o

n their natural curiosity, stimulates their limitless imaginations, and engages them about their responsibility to protect and preserve the natural environment for everyone. The Nature Center also serves as a weekend destination for families and campers that want to participate in our engaging programs offered throughout the year, or to just simply relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery all around.

Last summer, the Lake Fire wreaked havoc in the San Rafael Mountains. This year, we get to watch the wonder of regenerat...
04/12/2025

Last summer, the Lake Fire wreaked havoc in the San Rafael Mountains. This year, we get to watch the wonder of regeneration as wildflowers bloom through the charred soil, as oaks send up new shoots from the base of burnt stands, and as the black hills turn green again. It will take a long time for the ecosystem to fully recover from this devastating fire, but we are beginning to see nature at work.

Enjoy this album of photos taken by Colin Eldridge. Some of the captions include the species photographed, with fun facts! If you can identify any of the species in these photos, please comment!

LAST CHANCE to register for $35! Prices go up to $40 on APRIL 12TH!! Ages 15 & below are always $10. Registration link i...
04/11/2025

LAST CHANCE to register for $35! Prices go up to $40 on APRIL 12TH!! Ages 15 & below are always $10. Registration link in comments.

03/22/2025
The catch of the day! Our newest Fish Derby shirts are hot off the press. Grab yours today before you head out to the An...
03/22/2025

The catch of the day!
Our newest Fish Derby shirts are hot off the press. Grab yours today before you head out to the Annual Neal Taylor Nature Center Fish Derby, to be held April 26th and 27th.
Not registered for the Derby? Make sure to visit our website or stop by the Nature Center to register!
Shirt Pricing:

Short Sleeve - $18.00
Sm, Med, Large, XL, XXL, ###L
Colors: Olive & Charcoal

Women's V-Neck Short Sleeve
Sm, Med, Large, XL in Navy Blue

Long Sleeve - $30.00
Med, Large, XL, XXL, ###L in Black


The Neal Taylor Nature Center is hosting an engaging lecture on Sunday, March 9th at 2PM at the Nature Center, titled Pl...
02/11/2025

The Neal Taylor Nature Center is hosting an engaging lecture on Sunday, March 9th at 2PM at the Nature Center, titled Planetary Emergencies with Chancellor Lorne Everett.

We are honored to host Chancellor Lorne Everett who will present a lecture on his experience over 35 years as Chairman within the World Federation of Scientist. Dr Everett will present insights into nuclear war, world pollution, plastics, the world water crisis, asteroid impacts, and other Planetary Emergencies and highlight environmental concerns closer to home.

The lecture will be held at the Neal Taylor Nature Center as part of our Food For Thought lecture series! Please see the attached press release and pictures and we hope you will join us and help get the word out!

Questions? Please contact us at [email protected]

‘Tis the season for a Holiday Gathering…Join us at The Neal Taylor Nature Center for a Holiday Gathering on Wednesday, D...
12/13/2024

‘Tis the season for a Holiday Gathering…
Join us at The Neal Taylor Nature Center for a Holiday Gathering on Wednesday, December 18th from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
We’ll deck the halls with holiday music, tree decorating and ornament making! Make sure to complete our scavenger hunt to earn a holiday prize.
Did we mention treats?! Apple cider, eggnog and more will be provided.
Please RSVP to [email protected] by December 17th. We want to make sure we have enough holiday fun prepared for all of our guests!

Fall under the spells of snakes, bats, spiders, and scorpions! 🐍 🦇 🕷️ 🦂 Join us this Saturday, October 5th for our favor...
10/01/2024

Fall under the spells of snakes, bats, spiders, and scorpions! 🐍 🦇 🕷️ 🦂
Join us this Saturday, October 5th for our favorite fall event: Creepy Creatures! 🐍🦇
There will be witches, crafts, activities, spooktacular music, and so much more!

When: October 5th 11:00AM-1:00PM
Where: The Neal Taylor Nature Center
Admission: Donation
Please note, reservations are not needed.

Questions? Call us at 805-693-0691

Going Batty is Back!🦇 Join us at The Neal Taylor Nature Center for an evening dedicated to one of our favorite nocturnal...
08/01/2024

Going Batty is Back!
🦇 Join us at The Neal Taylor Nature Center for an evening dedicated to one of our favorite nocturnal creatures!
🦇 When:
7:55PM on Aug. 2nd & 3rd
7:45PM on Aug. 9th & 10th
🦇 ADMISSION: Donation
Where: Meet in front of the Nature Center for a docent-led talk and living exhibit of our local bats and watch them come out to feed.
🦇 For More Information: Call the Nature Center at 805-693-0691 or visitwww.c|naturecneter.org/
going-batty
📸: The Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), native to Santa Barbara, is the fastest flying bat in the world, reaching speeds of up to 60mph!

The moonlight shining between the leaves of the Valley Oak. 🌙 Make sure to stop by The Neal Taylor Nature Center to imme...
06/12/2024

The moonlight shining between the leaves of the Valley Oak. 🌙
Make sure to stop by The Neal Taylor Nature Center to immerse yourself in the wonders of Cachuma Lake this summer!
🌱 The Neal Taylor Nature Center is a non-profit that operates within the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Founded in 1988, the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is celebrating over three decades of connecting kids and adults to discovering the wonders of their own backyard - Cachuma Lake and the Santa Ynez watershed.

Meet Captain Tiffany Vague, a skilled fisherwoman and an artist. She has melded these two passions and skills into being...
06/07/2024

Meet Captain Tiffany Vague, a skilled fisherwoman and an artist. She has melded these two passions and skills into being one of the top handmade, custom rod designers in the world!

Tiffany donates immaculate rods for our yearly auction at the fish derby. This year, her beautiful fishing rod (pictured above) got a winning bid of $1200!

Follow Vague Rods:
https://www.instagram.com/vaguerods
https://www.youtube.com/-Tiffany

READ MORE about Tiffany in our blog >
https://www.clnaturecenter.org/meet-captain-tiffany-vague-world-class-fishing-rod-crafter/

Nature’s web 🕸️The more you observe nature, the more you will notice…🕸️ The Neal Taylor Nature Center is a non-profit or...
05/31/2024

Nature’s web 🕸️
The more you observe nature, the more you will notice…
🕸️ The Neal Taylor Nature Center is a non-profit organization that operates within the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Founded in 1988, the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake is celebrating over three decades of connecting kids and adults to discovering the wonders of their own backyard - Cachuma Lake and the Santa Ynez watershed.
📸: A web on a Valley Oak branch.

Address

2265 Highway 154
Santa Barbara, CA
93105

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+1 805-693-0691

Website

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