Get Involved with Sandhill Crane Education

The California Department of Fish & Wildlife invites potential new volunteers to interview and train as docents for the popular Sandhill Crane Wetland Tour program, conducted during the winter months at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve in Lodi.

Any member of the public with a passion for conservation, a desire to learn more about the local wintering waterfowl of the western flyway, and a passion for bird watching and working with people should consider signing up for an interview and training. The training is free to all participants and the bird viewing has limitless possibility.

Prospective docents must be able to volunteer one or two days a month on a Saturday or Sunday during the months of October through February. The tours are conducted in teams of three docents and are scheduled to begin one hour before sunset. The tours run a little over two hours in length. Tours wind down near the end of February when the Sandhill cranes, swans, geese and other birds fly back north to breed and raise their families.

A docent application can be obtained by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling (209) 948-7708. Applications will be taken during the months of January and early February.

Learn more about the Sandhill Crane Wetland Tours online at: dfg.ca.gov/regions/3/cranetour.