River Science

Throughout most of the year, the brilliantly colored Sierra newt (Taricha sierrae) lives on land, hunting and eating insects, earthworms, and slugs and hiding from any potential predators in the moist soil beneath rocks and logs. In the winter and spring, however, these members of the family Salamandridae become aquatic, returning to the pond or stream where they were born in search of a good time.

We at SYRCL are committed to our restoration projects – both river and meadow. Do you know who else loves a good restoration project? Beavers!

The Yuba River Watershed is home to a diverse and abundant collection of plants and animals. One animal that is capable of eliciting admiration, respect, and fear is the mountain lion. Recent sightings of mountain lions around the watershed prompted us to share a bit more about this keystone predator.