When: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Laursen “South” Bear River Preserve, North Auburn
Check in: Come any time during the event window of 10:00 am – 1:00, but make sure to give yourself time to enjoy the day!
Check out: Any time before 1:00 pm. Gates close shortly thereafter.
Let’s get outside and throw caution to the wind! This Open Preserve Day is for you to come out and enjoy the Laursen South Preserve without a guide. These preserves protect important blue oak woodlands in the Bear River watershed, helping to keep our drinking water clean, and are part of one of the last relatively “wild” areas in western Placer County. With a wide-open meadow area close to the parking area, it’s the perfect spot to fly a kite and a great way to celebrate National Kite Flying Day! You can even bring your own picnic lunch and a blanket or chairs!
If you feel like taking a walk, the trails on this preserve meander through meadows, manzanita tunnels, and impressive oaks. You can catch glimpses of the Sierras through the trees and walk along a peaceful canal. Maybe you’ll even spot a deer or a red-tailed hawk! We will provide you with a trail map when you arrive, and from there you are free to explore the beautiful preserves at your own pace. The entire trail system is about 2 miles (1.92 mi) in length with minor elevation changes.
Some of the activities you might choose include:
- Fly a kite!
- Enjoy a leisurely nature walk
- Bring a blanket and have a picnic
- Photograph nature or paint plein air
- Do yoga or meditate
- Get creative! Please plan your day accordingly so that you are back to the parking area by 1:00 pm. Gates close shortly thereafter.
What is not allowed at this event:
- Mountain bikes or other bikes
- Motorized vehicles
- Horses
- Dogs (unless leashed service animals)
Registration:
- Deadline to sign up is 5pm on Thursday prior to the event (unless the event fills first.)
- Space is limited! Please only register if you will be attending so that you don’t take a spot away from someone else.
- YOU AND ANY GUESTS MUST BE REGISTERED IN ORDER TO ATTEND
- If you signed up and can no longer attend, please contact Elia by email.
Participants must sign a release of liability available here.
Please complete the online waiver by the Friday before the event. One form per person. Parent signature is required for children under 18.
About Laursen Bear River Preserve
This preserve, which includes a working cattle ranch, protects critical unfragmented oak woodlands in the Bear River watershed, and is part of one of the last relatively “wild” areas in western Placer County. The preserve is comprised of 361 acres of blue oak woodland and about 1.5 miles of riparian habitat along the banks of the Bear River on the far north side. Learn more about this beautiful preserve here.
Cost: This is a free event; however, donations help make these activities possible! Plus, your donation of any size makes you and everyone in your household a Placer Land Trust member for one year. We suggest a donation of $10 per person (or $25 for a family) and prefer it to be made online when you register for the event. We can also accept a donation in cash or a check at the event – please place it in a sealed envelope with your name written clearly on the front and give it to a Placer Land Trust representative when you arrive.
Please thoroughly read the PLT Safety Guidelines. If you are not comfortable or able to comply with the safety guidelines, we respectfully ask that you don’t sign up. Our goal is to offer these open preserve day events quarterly.
Important Information and Directions will be emailed after registration. Check your spam folder if you do not receive the email within 15 minutes of registering.
Important Note: The Laursen Bear River Preserves, including the roads surrounding it, are not open to the public. Please help us respect the neighborhoods around this preserves by only visiting during scheduled guided activities that you are registered for. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
