Updated September 10, 2024
ALERTS:
- VOLUNTEER WITH US: We are seeking local (within 50 miles of the complex) volunteers who are excited about the opportunities to connect with the public out on the refuges and at our new Visitor Center. If you have a passion for connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds, telling stories and answering questions, plant/animal/bird identification, and more, this could be a great opportunity for you to join us. Visit our Get Involved page or apply directly to our opportunity on Volunteer.gov.
- HUNTING INFORMATION: All of our hunting information for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs has been consolidated into two pages (Sacramento River hunting information can be found on RIVER-Hunting):
- Hunting (includes Updates for 2024-2025)
- Hunting: Junior, Mobility & Special Hunts
Please consider reviewing all the information on these pages before calling the refuge with questions - you'll likely find the answers you're looking for on one of these pages!
- PHOTORAPHY BLIND PROGRAM: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to offer use of our photo blinds for the 2024-2025 season. We appreciate your patience and support as we work towards creative solutions for 2025-2026. General information about the Photo Blind Program (when operational) can be found on our Photography page.
Visit Us
Welcome to Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area (including the Llano Seco Unit)!
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex: Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA), Butte Sink WMA, Willow Creek-Lurline WMA. This WMA is primarily composed of privately-owned properties under conservation easement conservation easement
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or qualified conservation organization that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property in the future. Conservation easements aim to protect habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife by limiting residential, industrial or commercial development. Contracts may prohibit alteration of the natural topography, conversion of native grassland to cropland, drainage of wetland and establishment of game farms. Easement land remains in private ownership.
Learn more about conservation easement , but does have one Service-owned property that is open to the public: the Llano Seco Unit. Located about 10 miles southwest of the city of Chico in Butte County, the Llano Seco Unit offers opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing and a 1-mile trail.
There are LOTS of recreational opportunities across the Complex, including a Visitor Center, Auto Tours, trails, bicycling, photography, hunting and environmental education.
VISIT US! <-- Click here to find all the information you need to plan your visit! Or use the quicklinks, below...
VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Location and Contact Information
About Us
TheSteve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Areais part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is located across 11 counties in California's Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Delta. It consists primarily of conservation easements on privately-owned wetlands, but also includes one 1,732 acre fee-title property known as theLlano Seco Unit .
Click on the link below to learn more about us!
What We Do
- Resource Management
To help plants and wildlife, Refuge staff uses a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Refuge staff carefully consider any management techniques and employ them in varying degrees according to the situation.
- Conservation and Partnerships
The Complex is involved in many conservation endeavors, including Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Private Landowner Programs, and the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.
Click on the link below to learn more about what we do!
Our Species
The Llano Seco Unit supports large populations of wintering waterfowl, as well as other species such as: bald eagle, mountain lion, bobcat, State-listed threatened greater sandhill cranes, Swainson's hawk, federally threatened giant garter snakes and valley elderberry longhorn beetle, federally endangered vernal pool tadpole shrimp and vernal pool fairy shrimp, and species of concern California linderiella and Ferris's milk-vetch.
Click on the link below to learn more about our Seasons of Wildlife, Wildlife Checklist, Wildlife Surveys, and Our Species....