Spenceville Wildlife Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spenceville Wildlife Area |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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| Nearest city | Marysville, California |
| Area | 11,448 acres (46.33 km2) |
| Established | 1968 |
| Governing body | California Department of Fish and Wildlife |
The Spenceville Wildlife Area is a special place in California. It's a huge wildlife preserve, covering about 11,448 acres (4,633 km2). This area is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. You can find it in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, in northern California. It's a great spot to explore nature and see wildlife.
Contents
Where is Spenceville?
The Spenceville Wildlife Area is about 18 miles (29 km) east of Marysville. It is also near Beale Air Force Base. This area is located in the eastern Sacramento Valley. The land here goes from about 200 feet (61 m) to 1,200 feet (366 m) high.
Nature and Wildlife
Spenceville is a foothill oak woodland. This means it has many Blue oak and Foothill gray pine trees. It also has large areas of grassland. Many different kinds of native birds live here. You can also see beautiful wildflowers, like the Yellow mariposa lily. This lily only grows in California.
Ancient History of the Land
The rocks and land at Spenceville are very old. They were formed about 200 million years ago. This was during a time called the Middle Jurassic period. The area is part of the California Mother Lode. This is a famous gold mining region. Because of this, people used to mine copper and zinc here. Cleanup from this mining is still happening today.
First People of Spenceville
Long ago, the Maidu and Nisenan Native American people lived here. You can still find signs of their homes. There are grinding holes where they prepared food. You can also see pits where their lodges (homes) once stood.
Fun Things to Do
Spenceville is a great place for outdoor activities. You can go hiking or biking on the trails. It's also a popular spot for hunting. People bring their hunting dogs for field trials. You can also practice target shooting.
If you like horses, you can go horseback riding on the trails. Birding is another fun activity here. You might even see some rare birds. Simple camping is allowed too. A popular trail leads to a double waterfall. It is known by several names, like Beale Falls.
Safety Tip: Be aware that rattlesnakes can be active here, especially during warmer months. Always watch where you step.
Protecting Spenceville
The Spenceville Wildlife Area is very important. But it might be affected by new projects. There is a plan for a dam called the Waldo Dam. Also, new houses might be built near the wildlife area. These projects could change the environment of Spenceville.
