Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Introduction to the Woodland Regional Park Preserve

Development of Woodland Regional Park Preserve (the Preserve) began in 2014 to protect rare and endangered plant species, to provide habitat for wildlife, and to ensure that the residents of Woodland and the surrounding communities have access to natural areas for educational and recreational purposes. Tuleyome helps bring this vision to life by managing the natural resources at the Preserve and by blending nature, stewardship, and science through educational programs. By connecting people to the restoration work that keeps the Preserve thriving, Tuleyome fosters a stronger, healthier future for our region.

Geographical Setting
The Preserve is located in the Willow Slough watershed, nestled between the Cache Creek and Putah Creek watersheds. Small streams on the east side of the Inner Coast Range flow into Willow Slough, carrying sediments from the mountains out into the western side of the Central Valley. These sediments form the soils found at the Preserve.


As part of the Willow Slough watershed, the Preserve is inextricably linked to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. One of the Preserve's central goals is to serve as a gateway to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, by providing educational opportunities that connect people with their region, the watershed and its resources, and encourage exploration.

History of the Woodland Regional Park Preserve

  • Indigenous History

    The preserve sits on the ancestral lands of the Patwin People. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation provided a land acknowledgement, displayed at the Preserve, which honors the Patwin's stewardship and connection to the land, which is also home to the Cachil Dehe, Kletsel Dehe, and Yocha Dehe Wintun nations.

  • Landfill Years

    The City of Woodland purchased the property on which the Preserve sits in 1935 and then utilized the site as a city landfill from the 1950s through the late 1970s. The landfill was closed, and the trash was covered with soil excavated on site from a “borrow pit,” which is now the location of the constructed wetland. Extensive environmental studies have established the safety of the site. The capped landfill is regularly inspected and monitored by CalRecycle to ensure safety and security.

  • Model Airplanes and Rodeos

    After the landfill closure, the site became the Woodland Regional Park and was developed as the home field for the Woodland/Davis Aeromodelers (WDA). Members constructed a runway in 1986, where the parking lot now is located today. WDA located to another location in 2010. During this period, another area of the property was used for the Woodland Latino rodeo association, Charros de Los Caporales. In 2017, the site was officially designated as the Woodland Regional Park Preserve.

  • Building the Preserve

    In 2009, a proposal was put forth to develop the landfill site into a mixed-use shopping and commercial center. Glen Holstein championed an effort to convince the City of Woodland to not move forward with the proposed development, advocating for a habitat conservation easement to protect the local environment, including the palmate-bracted bird’s beak. The Yolo Habitat Conservancy negotiated this easement for almost a decade, until the conservation easement was purchased and recorded on the site, now called the Woodland Regional Park Preserve, in 2023.

  • Current Management

    Currently, the City of Woodland manages and maintains the ADA trail and immediately adjacent area and the Park Facilities Development Area. The habitat and natural resources are collaboratively maintained by the City of Woodland, Tuleyome, Yolo County Resource Conservation District, California Conservation Corps, California Native Plant Society, Woodland Tree Foundation, Yolo Bird Alliance, Yolo Habitat Conservancy, and other community organizations and volunteers.

Education and Community Engagement

Tuleyome offers grade-specific science field trips at Woodland Regional Park Preserve and Conaway Ranch. Our Next Generation Science Standard and common core programs connect youth with nature through field trips and bilingual class materials featuring inquiry-based, experiential activities focused on nature, stewardship, and science.


As we continue with our progress establishing the new science and nature center at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve, we'll also be opening up informational and educational programs there.


For more information about school field trips and educational outings, visit our Tuleyome Adventures Webpage.