The addition of thousands of acres of range land, wetlands, and riparian forest opens up tremendous opportunities for outdoor education and recreation. Included in the acquisition is the future site of the Pacific Flyway Visitor Center.

"We can expect expansion of the auto tour route, increased hunting areas, wooded trails along Putah Creek, and hundreds of acres of native prairie with spectacular wildflower blooms. Agricultural practices such as grazing and grain production will be used as tools to forge a balanced wildlife habitat program," said Dave Feliz, Wildlife Area Manager.

With the addition of three miles of land fronting Interstate 80, it will become very obvious where the wildlife area is. Frequently touted as the highlight of many people's commute, the view from the Causeway will develop into an even more exciting wildlife spectacle.

DFG will manage the property for flood control (its primary use), and habitat. The existing agricultural leases will be maintained until a managment plan is completed. The management plan will be developed with public input. This plan will discuss management alternatives for public use, habitat management, and future agricultural activity. The new lands will become new venues for the Yolo Basin Foundation's Discover the Flyway school program and other public programs.

The addition of the Glide lands and the Los Rios parcels increases the Yolo Wildlife Area to over 16,000 acres, making it one of the largest state wildlife areas. These lands represent the heart of the Yolo Basin, including the mouth of Putah Creek and many of the historic Putah sinks. In the future it will be one of the defining features of the region.

"A 16,000 acre wildlife area centered at the Putah Creek Sinks was certainly beyond my wildest expectations when we started to envision a wildlife area at the Putah Creek Sinks over a decade ago," stated Robin Kulakow, Executive Director of the Yolo Basin Foundation.

Department of Fish and Game currently manages the Yolo Wildlife Area with 2,000 acres of seasonal wetlands, year-round marsh and grasslands. Currently over 50,000 waterfowl are using the area as a winter stopover. The area supports over 200 species of birds including shorebirds, hawks, ibis, egrets, herons, ducks, geese and swans.

The Yolo Basin Foundation is dedicated to educating and inspiring people about the wetlands and wildlife of the Central Valley. The Foundation works cooperatively with DFG to provide public education programs focusing on the Yolo Wildlife Area.