Jughandle Creek Farm and Nature Center is a non-profit, educational center and overnight facility. The 35 acres of the Center include forests and meadows, nature trails, a century-old Victorian farmhouse and a campground area. As a nature center we provide a Science and Ecology Program for schools, an After School Nature Education Program and a summer Nature Day Camp for local kids . We are the home of the Stewardship/Greenhouse Project, working with schools on restoration/education projects and raising native plants for use by the State Parks Department and others. We also maintain a natural history library; a science equipment lending library for local school districts and literature and maps about the Jughandle Ecological Staircase trail for visitors. For overnight accomodations we offer private rooms in the Farmhouse, Cabins or campsites to groups, families or individuals who share our interests in nature. The campground, some trails, and the farmhouse are wheelchair accessible.

We are adjacent to the the thousand-acre Jughandle State Reserve and we serve as a "gateway" to the Jughandle Ecological Staircase, a unique formation of geological terraces stretching from the intertidal zone off the coast, through coastal prairie and redwood forests and terminating in pygmy pine forests at the topmost terrace.

Those Who Use the Center

Many diverse groups utilize this beautiful space for a variety of events and gatherings ranging from family gatherings,retreats, workshops, seminars and school group outings to weddings, parties or mini-concerts.

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL GROUPS utilize our unique location for field trips to teach about the local environment from tidepools to forest ecosystems. We offer naturalist-led tours of the ecological staircase as well as lessons on native plant propagation, fisheries, watersheds and other natural history subjects.

ORGANIZED GROUPS such as nature study or art classes, hiking clubs, inner city school children, people with physical or mental challenges and service organizations utilize the farmhouse for trainings or retreats.

FAMILIES AND FRIENDS who wish easy access to the natural beauties of Jughandle Ecological Staircase Reserve, or other nearby parks hold reunions and gatherings here often.

INDIVIDUALS who stay at the farm include artists, hikers, bicyclists, scientists, writers, dreamers, campers and plain ol' nature lovers.

OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND VISITING GROUPS use Jughandle Farm for workshops, gatherings, musical benefits, lectures, films and meetings. Ask about our music campfire programs.

Retreat with hostel - style accommodations

Our 120 year old Victorian farmhouse offers cozy accommodations. Downstairs, a modern kitchen with commercial stove and refrigerator is shared by guests.The fully equipped kitchen has all the utensils needed for the preparation and serving of food. A large living room and dining area with wood stove, piano, and projection screen is also shared as are three bathrooms with two showers. Our beautiful library holds hundreds of books on natural history, arranged by subject. Upstairs bedrooms are private. Guests must provide their own sleeping bag and pillow, personal items and food. We do provide sheets and towels. Individual rooms are available or the whole farmhouse can be reserved by a group. Private cabins and camping are also available. Our campground includes cooking area, campfire circle with firepit, picnic tables, water and two meadows for campsites. The farmhouse and some of the trails are wheelchair accessible. All income gained from use of our facility supports our education projects and mission goals.

 

Our Mission

Jughandle Creek Farm was established in 1969 by the California Institute of Man In Nature (Across California Conservancy) in an effort to preserve this unique and beautiful place and maintain it as a gateway to the largest intact Ecological Staircase in the world.

In 2000 Jughandle separated from its parent organization to become a private non-profit dedicated to educating all age levels on the stewardship and sustainable use of coastal, land and water resources.

Our goals include the following: to preserve and restore the natural attributes of the land and watershed; replace exotic invasive plants with native species; serve as an educational resource as well as an example of sustainable lifestyle and provide reasonably priced accomodations for nature lovers visiting this unique coastal area.

Our activities include

1. We serve as a gateway, visitor and information center for the adjacent Jughandle Ecological Staircase and Preserve. We partner with the State Parks Department and the California Dept. of Forestry in the awareness, upkeep and maintenance of the Jughandle Ecological Staircase trail.

2.We provide a training site for conservation, nature awaremess and environmental education programs.

3.We provide environmental education opportunities for schools and community groups region-wide as well as throughout Mendocino County.

4.We work collaboratively with agencies such as State Parks, Fish and Game, Americorps, Native Plant Society, schools and community groups in spearheading environmental stewardship projects.

5. We provide budget-priced accomodations for students and nature lovers who visit the Mendocino coastal area, with an emphasis on natural history education and conservation awareness.

6. We maintain an up-to-date nature studies library and a science equipment lending library as a central repository for use with schools from elementary to college level students of environmental science.

How To Contact Us