Rush Creek Open Space Preserve, Novato.

Directions: Take Hwy 101 south of Petaluma to the Atherton Ave/San Marin exit; turn left on Atherton Ave. and then left on Bugeia Lane, then veer right on Bahia Drive. The trailhead is on the left near the end of Bahia Drive, opposite Topaz Dr. Carpooling is encouraged; parking is free. It is about a half hour drive from central Santa Rosa.

We will take a moderately sloped walk with views of marshland, tidal flats, and through oak woodlands, Rush Creek Open Space Preserve is a 528 acre preserve located between Burdell Mountain and the Petaluma River delta. It features a rare Blue Oak woodland, growing adjacent to a salt marsh. It is a resting and nesting site for thousands of resident and migrating waterfowl.