Chico Landing
Map SatelliteAn excellent example of the once extensive Sacramento Valley riparian association is found at Chico Landing. Vegetation includes various willows, Salix spp., and, in the overstory, cottonwood, Populus fremontii, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, and valley oak, Quercus lobata.
In the thick understory there is box elder, Acer negundo, Oregon ash, Fraxinus latifolia, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, wild grape, Vitis californica, and blackberry, Rubus vitifolius, among others. There is also a rich flora of slime molds.
A variety of birds is found here, including the rare yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus occidentalis. The endangered peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus anatum, and bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus, have been sighted in the area.
There are a number of mammals present including river otter, Lutra canadensis, beaver, Castor canadensis, ringtail cat, Bassariscus astutus, gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, spotted skunk, Spilogale putorius, and striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis.
Integrity: There is a small County Park which is used for various recreational activities; however, much of the area is still relatively undisturbed.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present. Some private.
August 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman