Welcome to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, an award-winning environmental and cultural education center located within the beautiful American River Parkway in Carmichael, California.

Here at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center –

We offer a variety of ever-changing programs for children and adults, nationally renowned interactive exhibits, school programs, educational workshops and many opportunities for volunteering. Visitors can view live wild animals and browse through books, toys and gifts at our Discovery Shop.

Outside is a replica of a Maidu Indian summer village. The adjacent 77-acre nature preserve has self-guiding interpretive trails through the riparian woodland along the American River. Wildlife including deer, coyotes, migratory songbirds and wild turkeys can be seen when exploring the riverbank trails through the preserve’s lush oak woodlands.

Seasonal Happenings at Effie Yeaw –

There is always something new and unique to experience at the Nature Center.

• Winter Fun Days 2008 - Now's the time to enroll your children in our Winter Funs Days program, where they will get to participate in a whole host of great activities including arts and crafts, exploring and learning about the American River. Read about activities and sign your children up today!
• Thanksgiving Week "Not Just for Kids Days" - Come join us on November 24 and 25 at this new program for adults and families to learn about our wildlife and to take a walk along the river in the nature preserve. Learn more about the event and sign up... 
• Birds of Winter in the Sacramento Valley - Ed Harper, long-time educator, tour guide and birder will teach the finer points of identification, calls and natural history of the many winter birds in the Sacramento region. Beginning and experienced birders can expand their knowledge and skills with these three lectures and field trips from October 30 through November 15. Pre-registration is required, $80 per person. To register, call the Center at (916) 489-4918. Read event flyer...
• Weekend Tours and Programs - programs for all ages every Saturday. Reservations are NOT necessary except on a few rare occasions, and this is noted on the calendar. October Calendar of Events.  November Calendar of Events
• Watch the Salmon Run - Chinook salmon journey from the ocean up the American River using their keen sense of smell to guide them back to the gravel beds where they hatched from eggs several years before. Mature salmon begin their decent upstream in early fall and can be seen at the nature center.