Some of us have been around long enough to remember the Boy Scout Camp called Camp Pollock on the north bank of the American River. Just off Northgate Boulevard and Hwy. 160, to reach the Camp, one drove by an old trailer park that always seemed fairly decrepit and was prone to flooding over the years.

The Boy Scouts are long gone, but the Sacramento Valley Conservancy has managed this 11-acre property since 2013 and has made amazing improvements.  For those who love birds, plants and a riparian habitat, this is a great site. In addition to a very nice, refurbished lodge available for weddings, conferences and other events, there is a native plant nursery and quiet trails through the site for enjoying nature and views of the beautiful American River. Camp Pollock is open every day from sunrise to sunset with free parking. The lodge is ADA-compliant, but only open during scheduled events or private rentals. The picnic area and trails are decomposed granite, wide and pretty smooth and level.

Camp Pollock is just one of many properties and projects managed by SVC. Deer Creek Hills Preserve, 4,600 acres of wonderful, rolling foothills in eastern Sacramento County, is definitely worth a visit. Guided birding outings are offered the third Saturday of the month, February-May. Groups are small and led by experienced docents. Each month's outing will visit a different area of the preserve to explore the diversity of bird species on the property. More information and registration can be found in the SVC Events calendar.

A great recent addition to SVC’s offerings is an Environmental Speaker Series at Camp Pollock which began in February and will cover topics such as Bushy Lake, butterflies, local bird populations, and bald eagles in our area.

For details on the programs and to find more activities and information about the Conservancy, go to sacramentovalleyconservancy.org.