The Battle Creek Wildlife Area is 582 acres of riparian forests, marshes, and oak woodland that support a diverse variety of migratory and resident bird species, as well as aquatic and terrestrial mammals. Bald eagles and osprey nest here in spring. California quail, wood ducks, beaver, river otter, bobcat, and coyote may also be viewed.

Land use activities that altered the original area’s habitat since the 1860s included residences, water diversions and irrigation ditches, irrigated permanent pasture, nonirrigated seasonal pasture, hay fields, vegetable crops and walnut orchards. The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1983.