Explore & Investigate

  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
  • Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
    Photo by David Rosen, Wildside Photography
The Vernal Pools of Mather Field

Millions of years of geology and evolution have created the spectacular vernal pools at Sacramento County’s Mather Field. These are exceptional examples of a rare wetland ecosystem that is unique to California. Visitors can experience this piece of California’s natural history, just 30 minutes from downtown Sacramento.

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So You Want To Be A Scientist...

Through Nature in the Neighborhood and Splash Club children and their parents get to meet scientists who live and work in our region as they share what they know and love about exploring life outdoors. These experiences at Splash can open eyes, warm hearts and expand minds to possibilities for their future pursuits.

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Welcome to Critterville

The Splash Education Center is home to a collection of live animals that are found in the vernal pool grassland or other local habitats. These animals live in a room in the Splash Center that we call "Critterville." 

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Discover a whole new community

We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.

- Aldo Leopold

Experience the wonder

It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility.

-Rachel Carson