News Release Archive

New Melones Lake Activities for Spring 2012 Support the America’s Great Outdoors and Let’s Move Initiatives

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, datwal@usbr.gov

For Release: March 23, 2012

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Central California Area Office announces the spring 2012 Interpretive Speaker and Hike Series at New Melones Lake, located in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties. All activities are free of charge and suitable for all ages, and most do not require reservations. Please wear sturdy shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Each of the Speaker Series programs is partnered with a corresponding activity.

New Melones Eagles Speaker Series
Friday, March 23, 7 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

Join Ranger Greg for an insightful look at our Nation’s symbol. Although recently delisted as an endangered species, the bald eagle is still fragile in our changing environment. Discover what makes these birds unique and why we should continue to protect them.

New Melones Eagles Hike
Saturday, March 24, 10 a.m., Heron Point, Tuttletown Recreation Area

Let’s Move along the Heron Point trail with Ranger Greg in search of our Nation’s symbol. Learn about these majestic birds and the efforts made for their preservation. This is an easy 2-mile hike. We will meet at the Tuttletown Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and then caravan down to the trailhead. Participants will receive a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Shutterbug Club Photography Speaker Series
Friday, March 30, 7 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

Lights, camera, action! Bring your camera, owner’s manual, tripod and questions to the Visitor Center and learn some basics of photography. We will discuss F-Stop, Aperture, ISO, composition and play “what’s wrong with this picture?” These are great skills to use when you are out exploring New Melones Lake! Space for this series is limited. Please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 to reserve your place at this event.

Shutterbug Club Photography Hike
Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m., Natural Bridges

Lights, camera, action! Bring your camera, owner’s manual and tripod on this hike down the Natural Bridges trail. At the bottom of the trail, we will take our time to compose perfect photographs of flowing water, discuss composition and capture the beauty of Natural Bridges. Bring a lunch and plenty of water. This is a moderate-to-difficult 2-mile hike. We will meet at the Natural Bridges Trailhead, off of Parrotts Ferry Road, at10 a.m. Mushrooms of New Melones Lake Speaker Series
Friday, April 6, 6 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

Join Ranger Hilary in discovering some of the fungi around us. Learn about their importance, identification, habitats, life cycles and dangers. Arts and crafts begin at 6 p.m. followed by a PowerPoint presentation at 7 p.m.

Mushrooms of New Melones Lake Hike
Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m., Table Mountain

Join Ranger Hilary in a hunt for fungi. We will hike the base of Table Mountain to identify the different species we find along this easy 2-mile trail. Participants will have the option of returning on their own or participating in a climb to the top to enjoy the grand view of New Melones Lake. We will meet at the corner of Rawhide Road and Shell Road at 10 a.m.

Wildflowers of the Mother Lode Speaker Series
Friday, April 13, 6 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

We will discover many of the wildflower species that are in full bloom this time of year around the Mother Lode. Learn their life cycles and importance and where the viewing hot spots are around New Melones Lake. Arts and crafts begin at 6 p.m. followed by a PowerPoint presentation at 7 p.m.

Wildflowers of the Mother Lode Hike
Sunday, April 15, 10 a.m., Angels Creek, Glory Hole Recreation Area

Let’s Move outside and enjoy a springtime hike. Learn how to identify some of the wildflowers that blanket the Mother Lode this time of year! This is a moderate 2.5-mile hike. We will meet at the Glory Hole Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and then caravan down to the Angels Creek trailhead. Participants will receive a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Invasive Species Speaker Series
Friday, April 20, 7 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

Invasive species are classified as any plant or animal that is not native. Ranger Casey will discuss many of the species that have infested New Melones Lake. Learn how to identify them, the damaging impact they have on our resources and what you can do to help stop their spread. Please join us and assist with invasive species abatement on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, at10 a.m.

Customer Appreciation Day
Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m., Peoria Wildlife and Tuttletown Recreation Area

Celebrate Customer Appreciation Day with us! Take a ranger-led hike in the Peoria Wildlife Area, then drive up to the Dam Overlook where you can experience a close-up view of the dam and river canyon. There will be rangers on site from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer your questions about the past, present and future of New Melones Lake. The $8 day use fee is waived in both Tuttletown and Glory Hole Recreation Areas. It’s our day to say “Thank You” to you!

Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 22, 10 a.m., Peoria Wildlife Area

Ranger Casey will discuss the impact invasive species have had in the Mother Lode. Show your stewardship for your public lands and assist with invasive species abatement. Learn how you can be part of the solution. Please contact Ranger Casey for information about this event at 209-536-9094 ext. 233. We will meet at the Equestrian Staging Area off of Peoria Flat Road at 10 a.m.

Trees and Shrubs of California Speaker Series
Friday, April 27, 7 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

In celebration of Arbor Day, learn how to identify many of the trees and shrubs found at New Melones Lake. We will discuss how their use plays an important role in our past, present and future.

Arbor Day Oak Tree Planting and Hike
Sunday, April 29, 10 a.m., Tuttletown Recreation Area

Assist Ranger Cindy in planting 20 Oak Tree seedlings in the Manzanita Campground then join in for a hike to discuss the many trees that grow at New Melones. We will meet at the Tuttletown Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and caravan down to the planting sites. Participants will receive a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Birds of New Melones Speaker Series
Friday, May 4, 6 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

Join Ranger Hilary in discovering the wonderful world of bird watching. Learn about flight patterns, migrations, calls and identification. Arts and crafts begin at 6 p.m. followed by a PowerPoint presentation at 7 p.m.

Bird Watching at New Melones Hike
Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m., Table Mountain

Join Ranger Hilary in discovering the wonderful world of bird watching. We will hike, searching for and identifying the many species of birds that make New Melones their home. This is an easy 2-mile trail that leads to the base of Table Mountain. Participants will have the option of returning on their own or participating in a climb to the top to enjoy the grand view of New Melones Lake. Be sure to bring binoculars, a camera and lunch for this hike! We will meet at the corner of Shell Road and Rawhide Road at 10 a.m.

Awesome Arachnids! Speaker Series
Friday, May 11, 6 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

Spiders are awesome! Learn about these amazing creatures and just how important they really are to your own existence. Arts and crafts begin at 6 p.m. followed by a PowerPoint presentation at 7 p.m.

Awesome Arachnids! Hike
Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m., Cougar Point Trail, Tuttletown Recreation Area

You may not like them in your house, but spiders are an important part of the ecosystem. Come discover how many different species we can find along the Cougar Point trail in the Tuttletown Recreation Area. This is an easy 2-mile hike. We will meet at the Tuttletown Entrance Station at 10 a.m. and then caravan down to the trailhead. Participants will receive a parking pass for the duration of the event.

The Creation of Natural Bridges Speaker Series
Friday, May 18, 6 p.m., New Melones Visitor Center and Museum

Learn the geology, fauna, flora, native and cultural history behind the creation of Natural Bridges. Arts and crafts begin at 6 p.m. followed by a PowerPoint presentation at 7 p.m.

Mormon Creek Paddle
Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m., Tuttletown Entrance Station

Experience the beauty of New Melones Lake from a unique perspective on this ranger-led paddling tour. We will launch from Tuttletown, hugging the shoreline past the campgrounds and up Mormon Creek. Along the way, we will look for river otters, bald eagles, osprey and other wildlife. This outing is open to experienced swimmers with their own kayak or other non-motorized boat. Expect to be out on the water 2 to 3 hours. Participants need to bring their boat, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets (properly fitted and serviceable), paddles, sunscreen, hat, water and a lunch. Each child under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please contact Ranger Hilary at 209-536-9094 ext. 236 to reserve your place at this event. We will meet at the Tuttletown Entrance Station at 10 a.m. Participants will be given a parking pass for the duration of the event.

Interpretive programs and events at New Melones Lake tie into President Barack Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative (http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/) which seeks to empower Americans to share in the responsibility to conserve, restore and provide better access to our lands and waters and leave a healthy and vibrant outdoor legacy for generations to come.

All hikes tie into First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative (http://www.letsmove.gov/) which is dedicated to solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. And where better for the public to appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors than at a Reclamation facility like New Melones?

 

If you would like to participate in a program and need accommodation, please contact Park Ranger Tracy Neal at 209-536-9094, ext. 215, or e-mail tneal@usbr.gov, at least 14 days in advance.

The New Melones Visitor Center and Museum is managed by Reclamation’s Central California Area Office. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For additional information on activities, directions, pet restrictions, or other questions, please call 209-536-9543 (TTY 800-877-8339) or visit the website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/index.html.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

America’s Great Outdoors

Let’s Move!