Sherman Island Rare Plant Treasure Hunt and Paddle

Join Rivers for Change and the California Native Plant Society for the 3rd annual Delta Rare Plant Paddle! We'll head to the Sherman Island Wildlife Refuge this year. On this trip, we’ll focus on techniques for collecting plant specimens for vouchering in an herbarium. We especially encourage volunteers who are interested in leading their own rare plant survey and specimen collecting trips to join. We’ll start at the Sherman Island County Park, just west of the Antioch Bridge. From there, we’ll paddle through channels and small sloughs into the Sherman Island Wildlife Refuge and Donlon Island.

There are a lot of rare plants for us to search for on this journey, from tiny plants like Mason’s lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis masonii) and Delta mudwort (Limosella australis) to showy ones like the Delta tule pea (Lathyrus jepsonii var. jepsonii).

We plan to do about 5 total miles of paddling on this trip, so previous paddling experience is recommended. We have space for 6 volunteers available in our rental kayaks (suggested day of donation $10-$20), but additional volunteers are welcome to come if they can bring their own boats, paddles, and lifejackets.

Participants should have at least 2 litres of water, sun screen, sun hat, snacks, and a sack lunch. Be prepared to spend the day on the water in a remote setting and dress appropriately. It will probably be quite warm and there is a chance of high wind, but even in August it can get cold later in the afternoon.

How to Get There:
From U.S. Highway 50, take the Interstate 5 south exit. At the intersection of I-5 and Highway 12, take the Highway 12 west. Then exit onto Highway 160, heading south. Turn right onto Sherman Island Road at the point where Highway 160 drops off at the levee. Continue South on Sherman Island Road until it enters the park.