2007

8th

an

nu

al

sn

ow

go

ose

fe

stiv

al

Ja

nu

ar

y 2

5-28

about the artist:sherrie russell Meline has been a professional artist since the mid~1970s. in 1972 she graduated with honors in fine art from the university of wisconsin,Madison. her professional career began in san Jose, California in 1974 when she applied her unique painting style to laminated wood sculpture. although a decoy collector since her college days, sherrie’s interest in wa-terfowl was not expressed in her work until after she moved to Mount shasta California in 1980. although sherrie’s waterfowl have successfully graced the face of more than 30 state Duck stamps, this is the first time that her work was selected for the federal Duck stamp. sherrie’s ross’ goose was selected by a Board of Judges for the 2006-2007 federal Duck stamp. she is the second woman to have won the federal Duck stamp con-test. “it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of federal Duck stamp history”. sherrie and her husband, Kevin, publish and

distribute her limited edition prints nationally through their gallery, wingbeat of Mt. shasta. sherrie also shows at various art, sport and wildlife art shows across the Country. about the federal Duck stamp:since it’s conception in 1934, the federal Duck stamp Program

is one history’s greatest achievement in conservation. five mil-lion acres of wetland habitat has been purchased for inclusion into the national wildlife refuge system to ensure that this land will he protected and maintained for generations to come. 98% of every federal Duck stamp dollar goes directly into the Migratory Bird Conservation fund. Purchasing a federal Duck stamp gives everyone a chance to participate in preserving our national heritage.

we are fortunate to live in one of the most diversified wildlife corridors in the world, the sacramento valley region of the Pacific flyway. this unique area is home to exemplary migratory bird habitat and abundant wintering waterfowl, as well as native raptors and varied terrestrial wildlife. to celebrate this incredible winter fes-tival, we invite you to come and experience the sights and sounds of the migratory season for two full weeks of special events, field trips, educational presentations and workshops. it is an adventure of a lifetime!

to start off, we will begin with our extended art show exhibit. this exhibit starts on January 19 and ends february 4 (see page 7 for further details). furthermore, we have added a first-time-ever two- day field trip for serious birders that will precede the full schedule of weekend activities. these are just two examples of our lat-est effort to fulfill our mission to increase pub-lic awareness, understanding, appreciation and conservation of the incredible wildlife and related habitats of the northern sacramento valley.

snow goose festival of the PaCifiC flyway! welcome to the 8th annual

Please peruse our schedule of events (evening programs, field trips and workshops). to register, we would prefer participants to use our website at www.snowgoosefestival.org to register online. this is a quick and easy process that saves us time in the office. the site also has maps and other useful informa-tion. you can also fill out the registration form in the middle of this brochure (or downloaded from our website). once completed, please mail or fax the regis-tration form back to us with your total payment by tuesday, January 23, 2007.

if you fax in your registration form, you will need to pay by credit card. Please don’t forget to fax the front and back of the registration form. Confirmation will be made in the most timely manner possible, with your complete program packet available for pick-up at the festival. Please read your program descrip-tion to determine the location that you are first arriving at, the registration packet will be at that first location.

Carpooling:Carpooling is strongly encouraged when traveling to the Chico Masonic family Center (CMfC). Parking is extremely limited with participants going on field trips and also those who wish to visit the exhibits and workshops throughout the day. if weather permits, walking and/or riding a bike to the CMfC is most appreciated.

A special note about Field Trips: Please arrive at the location indicated 30 minutes prior to your scheduled event. this will allow us time to check you in and ensure the trip leaves promptly. we ask that you follow your field trip leader from the meeting loca-tion to the final destination. anyone arriving after the field trip leader has left may not be able to join the group. all field trips will be limited to the first 20

reservations. after that, a waiting list will be generated by calling our office. walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the festival, but cannot be guaranteed.

weather may change a trip’s itinerary, but most trips will be conducted rain or shine. the weather in the valley during January is variable. it is generally cold and sometimes rainy, with daytime highs ranging from 50°-65°f.

Be sure to bring the following on your field trips: rain gear, waterproof footwear, layered clothing, binoculars, camera, field identification guide, water and snack or lunch as needed. Please also check out the “tips & etiquette” section on page 25 to help you enjoy your day to the fullest.

the following rating system for field trips will give you an idea for the rigors involved.1-mostly birding by car and/or easy walking2-walking, could involve distance but largely flat3-more vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss4-a true adventure trip, lots of driving and hiking

wheelchair accessible

Thank you!snow goose festival steering CommitteeContact information: Phone: (530) 345-1865 or (800) 852-8570 ext. 313fax: (530) 899-5105P.o. Box 1063 Chico, Ca 95927-1063 email: info@snowgoosefestival.org website: www.snowgoosefestival.org

registration4

Live Reptiles!(saturday, January 27th, 10:00 am to noon, CMfC)touch a snake or get close to a lizard! Join Department of fish and game’s steve Brightwell as he shares very interesting facts about some of Butte County’s most amazing reptiles.

Meet the Owls!(saturday, January 27th, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, CMfC)Meet” Checkers” a great horned owl and “ otis” a screech owl as Marilyn gamette will share some fascinating facts, unique habits and curious myths about these beautiful birds of prey. she has recently retired from usfws and also is a federal and state wildlife rehabilitator. During this hour also enjoy some beautiful birdcalls done by local Pleasant valley high school student, Julian Parke.

Meet Smokey the Bear and the Blue Goose!(saturday – sunday, CMfC)smokey the Bear and the national wildlife refuge’s Blue goose will be visiting at various times courtesy of the sacramento national wildlife refuge. also be sure to visit the us fish & wildlife service fire safety exhibit booth.

Federal Junior Duck Stamp Display! (saturday – sunday, CMfC)all 100 California winners from nearly 2,000 entries, will be on display. Don’t forget to see the Chico winners!

Junior Naturalist Activities!(saturday, January 27th, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, CMfC)(sunday, January 28th, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, CMfC)naturalists of all ages are invited to learn bird identification, make a birdcall and much more! nature crafts and other special activities will be taking place throughout the weekend!

Get Banded Like A Bird(saturday – sunday, CMfC)the Bureau of land Management (BlM) will have a mist-netting specialist roving the area with hopes of catching some kids at the snow goose festival. once netted, kids will be banded just like a bird and learn firsthand what that experience is like. they will then be released back to the wild and we hope that the birders attending the event will be able to spot them by their unique bands and report back to the BlM about their sightings.

Exhibits Galore!(saturday, January 27th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, CMfC)(sunday, January 28th, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, CMfC)Displays by state, federal and non-profit organizations plus related vendorsthroughout the weekend.

free fun for the whole faMily!

live animals, nature Crafts registration 5

Saturday, January 27th 5:30 pm - 10:00 pmsierra nevada Brewing Company - Big room1075 e. 20th street, Chico, CaCost per Person: $35, $20 for youth (17 years and younger) and students with iD.Beer and wine (no host)

Featured Speaker: Glenn Olsonexecutive Director of audubon California

“Conserving California in the 21st Century”

glenn olson will share the wealth of knowledge and hope he has gained while taking on challenges and taking advantage of opportunities to conserve and restore key landscapes for birds and other wildlife in California. glenn has spent the better of 20 years protecting wildlife and working with people to build new constituencies for conservation. that role will become all the more important as we add 10 million new residents to our state in the coming decade.

Enjoy a vibrant PowerPoint presentation and a DVD movie about Audubon California’s most recent conservation victories!

special book signing by author/photographer Gary Kramer 5:30 pm to 7 pmMezzanine room prior to the dinner

flyways, a Celebration of waterfowl and wetlands former waterfowl biologist and award winning wildlife photographer gary Kramer takes readers on a photographic journey across north america, from the atlantic to the Pacific and from the tundra to the tropics, following the ebb and flow of waterfowl and other wildlife as they travel along these ancestral travel routes. stunning photographs and inspired text provoke admiration and awe for the beauty and complexity of north america’s waterfowl and the wetlands they call home.

California wilDlife iMPressions in rich color and stunning detail, award winning photographer gary Kramer captures the wildlife of the golden state, large and small; winged, flippered, and furred. in this vivid collection of 88 images, California native Kramer portrays the rich variety and diversity of California’s wildlife.

Gary will also be presenting a through-his-lens overview of the wildlife of the Sacramento Valley as a prelude to Glenn Olson’s keynote address.

Silent Auction & Raffle!Begins at 5:30 pm the vibrant silent auction returns to the Mezzanine room of sierra nevada Brewery.

the silent auction will include a variety of exquisite items including works of art from each of the artists participating in the uptown-Downtown wildlife art exhibit. your financial participation directly affects our ability to ensure that the snow goose festival remains the north state’s premier birding event, so enjoy the evening bidding on a wide range of do-nated goods and services. you won’t be disappointed!

Banquet anD silent auCtion wilDlife art exhiBit anD reCePtion

6

gathering of wings uptown-Downtown

Uptown-Downtown Wildlife Art Exhibitfriday, January 19 - sunday, february 4gallery hours: wednesday - sunday, 12 – 4 pm

avenue 9 gallery180 e. 9th ave.uptown Chico530-879-1821www.avenue9gallery.com

24hr Drive By gallery117 w. 7th st.Downtown Chico530-343-0202www.24hrdrivebygallery.com

feast your eyes upon wonderful works of art from 15 local artists working in a variety of media, including metal sculpture, earthen ware, glass, oils, water color, acrylics, colored pencil, mixed media, photography and woodcarving.

Co-hosted this year by avenue 9 gallery and 24hr Drive By gallery, our special snow goose festival art venue has expanded to two-and-a-half weeks. get a closer look and purchase these fine art specimens from January 19 through february 4 during gallery open hours, wednesday - sunday 12 – 4 pm.

Uptown-Downtown Wildlife Art ReceptionAvenue 9 Gallery & 24hr Drive-By Art Galleryfriday, January 26, 20075:30 - 8:30 pmCost: $15 adult, $10 youth

Celebrate with us and see wonderful works of art exhibited by many talented wildlife and landscape artists from our region. Preview selected works being offered by the artists to be auctioned during saturday’s gathering of wings Banquet & silent auction at sierra

nevada Brewing Company. Bring a friend and meet the artists, along with fellow festival participants, presenters and field trip leaders at both galleries on friday, January 26th from 5:30 - 8:30 pm while feasting on delectable hors d’oeuvres catered by Marianne Brenner. enjoy a spectacular array of foods that are grown and produced in the fertile sacramento valley. the evening venue includes live music, woodcarving and a no host bar.

Leave your car behind and enjoy our courtesy “Uptown-Downtown” trolley car rides between the art reception venues every half hour!

Banquet anD silent auCtion wilDlife art exhiBit anD reCePtion

7

gathering of wings uptown-Downtown

F i E L D T R i p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

8 ThURSDAy, FRiDAy 1/25-1/26

Thursday, Friday January 25th-26th pre-Festival Field Trip

Big Birding Days – Wetlands to Foothills Thursday 6:30 am - Friday 3:30 pm overnighter - for the serious BirderMeet at gray lodge wildlife area

start the day with Brad and the dawn chorus of water-fowl at the gray lodge wildlife area. you will then move north through the rice fields of glenn and Butte counties visiting the llano seco units along the way. travel to lake oroville, the feather river and afterbay scouting for loons, diving ducks, and wintering passerines. travel to the Chico waste water treatment Plant scouting for shorebirds and waterfowl. towards the end of the day we will bird the woodson Bridge area for wintering passerines. Dinner is on your own in los Molinos and then it will be off for a good night’s sleep at the rustic lodge in the Dye Creek Preserve (www.dyecreeklodge.com). the morning will start with a continental breakfast. Bruce will meet you at 8:00 am to begin your birding excursion of the Dye Creek Preserve, where you should see oak woodland birds. your list of species will grow as he leads you through the grasslands along foothill road to Cone grove Park where the possibility of viewing a lawrence’s goldfinch exists, among other species of the park’s massive valley oaks. Bring a good road map and walkie-talkies if you have them. limited to10 people. $75 (include lodging) level 4Field Trip Leaders: Brad Stovall and Bruce Deuel

Friday, January 26th Field Trips

Sutter Buttes hike – Dean Ranch Friday 8 am - 4 pm Meet at the waffle shop in live oak by 8 am

we will begin with a drive almost directly into the cen-ter of the Buttes to visit the historic Dean ranch. a three-mile gentle hillside walk will reveal the Buttes’ volcanic origins, native american artifacts, and a hun-dred year old working cattle ranch. this hike will focus primarily on bird watching so be sure to bring your binoculars. enjoy a leisurely trip back into a time gone by. Bring lunch and water. limit 15 people. $45-$40 level 3. allow 40-minute driving time from Chico.Field Trip Leader: Peter Sands

“Waterfowl Fly-Off” photo Opportunity Friday 12:30 pm - 6:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

visit sacramento national wildlife refuge (nwr) to photograph the evening spectacle as thousands of duck and geese leave the refuge after sunset. we will leave Chico in the afternoon with time to stop on the way to photograph geese, swans, and possibly cranes at a few locations near the llano seco unit of the sacramento river nwr. arriving at sacramento nwr around 4:30 pm in time to set up camera equipment in

anticipation of the daily fly-off when tens of thousands of birds are in flight silhouetted against the sunset sky. you will be leaving the refuge around 6:30 pm so dress warmly and bring a film or digital camera with wide angle, zoom and telephoto lenses, a tripod, and lots of film or digital cards. $20-$15 level 2Field Trip Leader: Steve Emmons

Uptown-Downtown Welcome Reception and Art Exhibit Friday 5:30 pm - 8:30 pmavenue 9 gallery and 24hr Drive By gallery$15-$10 see page 7 for details

Family Owl prowl Friday 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmMeet at the Chico Creek nature Center

this family-geared field trip offers a unique glimpse into the amazing nocturnal world of owls. scott has been leading the ever-popular owl Prowls into Bidwell Park for the Chico Creek nature Center since 1986. the Prowl, a leisurely hike into Bidwell Park, will start and end at the Chico Creek nature Center. Dress warm and bring a flashlight. the Prowl will definitely be a night to remember! $10-$5 level 1Field Trip Leader: Scott Toricelli

F i E L D T R i p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

SATURDAy 1/27 9

Saturday, January 27th Field Trips

Valley Wetlands and Wintering Waterbirds Saturday 6:30 am - 4 pm for the serious Birder Meet at Chico Masonic family Center

enjoy great birding opportunities as you travel the back-roads out of Chico through flooded agricultural land as well as the managed wetlands of state and federal wildlife refuges. we will start with a visit to the viewing platform at the llano seco unit of the sacra-mento river nwr and from there we will meander across the valley to the sacramento nwr - birding along the way. we will wrap-up the trip with a visit to the gray lodge wildlife area. along with helping you to identify numerous avian species Jay will discuss the importance of wetland management and ecology to the thousands of wintering birds that depend on this habitat for survival. we hope to generate a list of over 80 bird species on this trip. expect to see a wide variety of waterfowl (including snow geese), raptors, and many other wetland species. Bring lunch, water, binoculars, and field guide. $20 level 4 Field Trip Leader: Jay Bogiatto

Sutter Buttes – Dean Ranch Saturday 7 am - 4 pmMeet at Chico Park & ride by 7 am

we will begin with a drive almost directly into the center of the Buttes to visit the historic Dean ranch. a three-mile gentle hillside walk will reveal the Buttes’ volcanic origins, native american artifacts, and a hun-dred year old working cattle ranch. enjoy a leisurely trip back into a time gone by. Bring lunch and water. $45-$40 level 3 Field Trip Leader: Middle Mountain Foundation

Refuge to Refuge Saturday 7 am - 5 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

visit two premier sacramento valley wildlife refuges. our first destination will be the u.s. fish & wildlife service sacramento nwr near willows. we will make a stop at the visitor center, drive the auto tour route, and visit the viewing platform. next, we will travel to the Ca Department of fish & game gray lodge wild-life area - birding along the way. Plan to see huge flocks of snow geese, american wigeon, northern Pintail, Mallard, green winged teal and perhaps a Blue winged teal and eurasian wigeon. we should also see white-faced ibis, sandhill Cranes and a variety of raptors. a “honker meal” including sandwich, chips, cookie, and drink can be purchased for $5.00 the morning of this tour. $20-$7 level 2 Field Trip Leader: Skip Augur

Birding Lema Ranch in Redding Saturday 7:30 am - 2:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Discover the birding delights of the lema ranch in redding. this 200-acre headquarters of the McConnell foundation features four ponds with marshy borders set in an oak savannah landscape. this trip is designed for the intermediate birder, although beginning birders are welcome. the 2 1⁄4-mile paved trail encompasses a wide variety of habitats that has yielded over 80 spe-cies of birds throughout the year. we should expect close-up views of dabbling ducks, Common Moorhens and herons a well as a wide variety of wintering upland birds. $20-$7 level 3 Field Trip Leader: Bill Oliver

Snowshoe Walk at Lassen Volcanic National parkSaturday 8 am - 3 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

here is an opportunity to learn about the wildlife and birds at lassen volcanic national Park in winter! we will causally explore the park’s beautiful red fir forest on snowshoes. Participants must be 8 years or older and able to withstand moderate physical exertion at an elevation of 7,000 feet. experience on snowshoes is not needed. Dress warmly and wear boots. $20-$7 level 3Field Trip Leader: Park Ranger Steve Zachary

Sutter Buttes - peace Valley Saturday 8 am - 4 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

explore Peace valley, one of California’s newest state parks, nestled in the sutter Buttes. it will be like stepping back in time as you learn about the valley’s natural and cultural history. we will visit a native american site used for grinding acorns. as we traverse this incredible valley we will learn the interesting geological processes that formed it. this is an undevel-oped area, so wear comfortable walking shoes or boots.Bring a sack lunch and beverage. $45-$40 level 3Field Trip Leader: Ranger Tim Davis

USFWS Llano Seco Viewing platform Saturday 8:15 am - noonMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

the llano seco unit of the sacramento river nwr offers sensational views from an elevated viewing platform. this trip is designed for the beginning to intermediate birder (advanced birders are also welcome) as this is an ideal location for viewing a large variety of species all in one location! learn interesting facts about the birds as well as helpful hints on identi-fication. you can expect to see a variety of wintering waterfowl, sandhill Cranes, raptors (last year several Bald eagles were seen), along with many other species. Just a short drive outside of Chico, this is definitely a birding hot spot! $15-$5 level 1 Field Trip Leader: Mary Muchowski

Vina plains to pine Creek & the River Saturday 8:15 am - 12:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

visit the nature Conservancy’s vina Plains Preserve and learn about the rare plants and animals of California’s vernal pool ecosystems; you will also discover why vernal pool landscapes are so important to migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. next, travel to the Pine Creek unit of sacramento river nwr where you will see riparian habitat restoration and learn why it is important for the survival of Chinook salmon, migra-tory songbirds and endangered species. $15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leaders: Joe Silveira and Dawit Zeleke

Rancho Esquon Saturday 8:30 am - 12:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Just a short drive outside Durham, along the roadways bordering rancho esquon multitudes of snow geese, white-fronted geese and sandhill Cranes can usually be seen right from your vehicle! Bald eagles are occasion-ally spotted perched in the snags along the agricultural wetlands. upon arrival at rancho esquon we will visit the viewing platform, which offers a spectacular view of the surrounding wetlands and their habitants. we will also be visiting the egg hatching facility as we learn about the diverse undertakings of this complex rice ranch. $15-$5 level 1Field Trip Leaders: Phil Johnson and Mac McCormick

Dye Creek preserve Saturday 8:45 am - 2 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

visit the rugged, expansive Dye Creek Preserve in the lassen foothills region of eastern tehama County. we will discuss land management efforts by the nature Conservan-cy and tour the scenic Dye Creek Canyon or a streamside restoration site along the lower flood plain, depending on weather conditions. you can expect to see birds common to oak woodland such as the acorn woodpecker, oak titmouse and California quail. Bring lunch and drink. $20-$7 level 3Field Trip Leader: Nature Conservancy Staff Naturalist

Feather River Region & Nature Trail Saturday 8:45 am - noonMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

this trip begins with a car caravan to the old Bath house nature Center near the table Mountain Bridge at Montgomery and Bridge streets in oroville. we will leave our vehicles here and begin a nice leisurely hike. as we meander along the banks of the feather river we will keep a keen eye out for some of the area’s abundant wildlife which includes Mergansers, golden-eyes, Buffleheads, osprey, eagle, river otter and even lingering salmon. $15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leader: Rex Burress

F i E L D T R i p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

10 SATURDAy 1/27

Beginning Birding for Kids Saturday 9 am - 10:30 amMeet at the Chico Creek nature Center

what a wondrous thing to view the world of birds through a child’s eyes! this workshop/field trip will focus on the basics of birding. the workshop covers basic bird anatomy and basic identification techniques. at the nature Center each child will view, up close, actual examples of some of the park’s avian residents. we will then venture into Bidwell Park to practice our new skills on the wild birds of the park. Bring field guides and binoculars if you have them. some binoculars will be available to loan if needed. ages 7 to 12. $10-$5 level 1Field Trip Leaders: Liam and Scott Huber

Beginning Birdwatching with Field Trip Saturday 9 am - 11:30 amMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

this workshop/field trip combination takes place in the beautiful setting of the usDa forest service genetic resource Center located on the outskirts of Chico. after a brief overview of the significance and impor-tance of the Center, the birding session will begin. it’s been said, “the best birdwatcher is another bird.” learn the hows and whys of bird watching. whether it’s watching hummingbirds in your own back yard or pen-guins in antarctica, bird watching is your lifetime ticket to the theater of nature. this presentation is a combi-

nation of classroom study and fieldwork - making it a must for anyone wanting to learn more about birding. after our workshop we will head right out the door to put our newly acquired birding skills to the test. Bring binoculars if you have them! $15-$5 level 1Field Trip Leaders: Roger Lederer and Gary Norcross

Explore the Sacramento River Discovery Center & the Red Bluff Recreation Area Saturday 9 am - 11:30 amMeet at the sacramento river Discovery Center in red Bluff by 9 am

student interns from the red Bluff high school roP program will share highlights of their accomplishments throughout the year. we will have the opportunity to view their extensive re-vegetation projects and native grass plots as well as see how they are handling invasive plant removal. we will also have the opportunity to learn about their bird nest box projects. then after a brief overview of the sacramento river Discovery Center’s numerous educational programs, native plant garden and visitor center we will venture outside to view the red Bluff Diversion Dam and stroll into oak woodlands, wetlands, riparian, and grassland habitats. By keeping a watchful eye open during these explora-tions we may see an assortment of birds and other

wildlife that call this area home. $15-$5 level 2. allow a 45-minute driving time from Chico.Field Trip Leaders: Ben Hughes, Matt Pritchard and Red Bluff High School Regional Occupa-tion Program Student Interns

Book Family Farm Saturday 9 am - noonMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

the Book family farm is nestled in-between hundreds of acres of rice fields. with its rice fields and the crops, the Book family farm has become a sanctuary to large numbers of wildlife. sandhill Cranes are frequent winter visitors. $15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leader: Dan McKnight

Foothill Birding and Mist Net Demonstration Saturday 9 am - 1:30 pm Meet at Chico Masonic family Center

Join Jackson for a trip to the Big Chico Creek ecologi-cal reserve where we will descend into the Big Chico Creek Canyon for foothill woodland birding. this is a great habitat for wintering raptors, sparrows, and other passerines. this outing will also include checking mist nets at a bird banding site where federally licensed bird bander, Dawn garcia, and volunteers have nets set up to band birds, take various measurements, record data, and then release the birds. $20-$7 level 3 Field Trip Leaders: Jackson Shedd and Dawn Garcia

F i E L D T R i p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

SATURDAy 1/27 11

herbivores and Sustainable Landscapes Saturday 9 am - 3 pmMeet at ide adobe state Park in red Bluff by 9 am

Join Bill Burrows and his family as they progress from debt in the ranching business to developing profitability, maintaining quality of life, and most important, improv-ing biodiversity. you will experience and participate in a project showing how 65 neighboring landowners, representing 40,000 acres, are moving to a long -term sustainable solution in managing the “catastrophic” fire problem in brush and timber land using meat goats and hair sheep. you will be exposed to a “decision-making model” based on quality of life, profitability, and envi-ronmental enhancement. wear warm clothing, sturdy shoes, rain gear, and bring a lunch. $20-$7 level 3. allow 45-minute driving time from Chico.Field Trip Leader: Bill Burrows

Sacramento River Management Area Saturday 10 am - 2 pmMeet at ide adobe state Park in red Bluff by 10 am

the federal Bureau of land Management (BlM) is offering a hiking tour of lands under its protection in a special management unit known as the sacramento river Bend outstanding natural area. located to the northeast of red Bluff, this area is currently under consideration for designation as a national recreation area. we will see a variety of upland habitats as well as spectacular scenic vistas of the sacramento river

and surrounding watershed lands. wildlife viewing opportunities include wetland, upland and neo-tropical birds as well as deer and other mammals. this will be a moderate hike with half of it off trail on uneven ground. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Bring a lunch and beverage. $15-$5 level 3. allow 45-minute driving time from Chico.Field Trip Leader: Kelly Williams

Birding in Bidwell park Saturday 12:30 pm - 4 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

in the middle of “sherwood forest” with its majestic oaks and towering sycamores, you will find the wonderful birds of Bidwell Park, the “Jewel of Chico”. this trip will start at one Mile where we will explore the lush habitat of acorn woodpeckers, various warblers and other birds found in lower Park. we will thenproceed to the riparian corridor of upper Park and the yahi trail, where we are likely to find Brown Creeper, white Breasted nuthatch, various songbirds, green herons and many other winter residents. $15-$5 level 3Field Trip Leader: Michelle Ocken

Lundberg Family Farms Saturday 1 pm - 4 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

tour the farm famous for its specialty rice products and for attracting wildlife to it organic fields. witness first-hand how valley farm practices, and ecological farming in particular can benefit migratory and non-migratory bird populations of the Pacific flyway. $15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leader: Jessica Lundberg

Del Rio Wildland preserve Saturday 1 pm - 4:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

after a short drive, we will visit the Del rio Preserve, which was planted in 2003 with native grasses, riparian trees, and shrubs. we will park at the edge of the pre-serve and walk about 2 miles for the duration of the tour. we should see most of the upland birds characteristic of the sacramento valley at this time of year. $15-$5 level 3Field Trip Leader: Tom Griggs

Massa Organic Farms Saturday 1:15 pm - 4 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Come visit a unique farm where history, wildlife conservation, organic farming and activism all come together. the Massa family has been growing rice in

F i E L D T R i p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

12 SATURDAy 1/27

California’s sacramento valley for almost 100 years. their 90 acres of certified organic fields surround their straw bale home where oak tress, sandhill Cranes, wood Ducks, hawks and owls call their land home too. you will also visit a historic graveyard where the leader of California’s Bear flag revolt is buried.$15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leader: Greg Massa

Rancho Esquon Saturday 1:15 pm - 4:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Just a short drive outside Durham, along the roadways bordering rancho esquon multitudes of snow geese, white-fronted geese and sandhill Cranes can usually be seen right from your vehicle! Bald eagles are occasion-ally spotted perched in the snags along the agricultural wetlands. upon arrival at rancho esquon we will visit the viewing platform, which offers a spectacular view of the surrounding wetlands and their habitants. we will also be visiting the egg hatching facility as we learn about the diverse undertakings of this complex rice ranch. (this is a repeat of the morning field trip for those who missed it!) $15-$5 level 1Field Trip Leader: Herman Gray

Saturday, January 27thpresentations/WorkshopsChico Masonic Family Center

Slow Food: how it’s Grown and how to Enjoy it! Saturday 9 am - 10:30 am

northern California’s unique climate allows the creation of wonderful foods that, far too often, are overlooked. a group of local farmers and ranchers, in conjunction with the local slow food convivial, have joined together to celebrate and promote the unique and wonderful food that our area produces. in this panel discussion local producers will discuss how their individual operations evoke the uniqueness of our cli-mate in their products. they understand that the health of the landscape directly affects the health of wildlife and humans. Big Bluff ranch (www.bigbluffranch.com) in red Bluff produces grass-fed beef and lamb. Pacific sun olive oil (www.pacificsunoliveoil.com) in gerber produces a distinct northern California olive oil. $5-$2Presenters: Tyler Dawley and Panel

Basic Nature & Wildlife photography Workshop Saturday 9 am - 11:30 am

this workshop is an introduction to nature and wildlife photography, particularly bird photography. topics include equipment recommendations including 35 mm film and digital cameras, lenses and associated acces-sories, in addition to discussions on exposure, lighting,

composition techniques, and the use of photography blinds and the ethics of nature photography. recom-mended photography locations will also be presented during a slide show. a myriad of equipment will be on display including film and digital cameras, photography blinds, camera support devices, flash projection setups and remote control units. this workshop compliments steve’s Photography field trip on sunday at the sacra-mento national wildlife refuge. $10-$5 Presenter: Steve Emmons

Children’s Raptor program Saturday 10:30 am - noonMeet at the Chico Creek nature Center

Kids! this exciting program will begin at the Chico Creek nature Center’s non-releasable living animal museum, located in Bidwell Park. learn exactly what a raptor is and other fun facts about raptors that are residing at the nature Center and Bidwell Park. the program will include a short hike into the Park where we will look for evidence of raptor activity. Kids will also build and paint a wooden birdhouse (snap-together kit) that they can take home! small children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. $5-$2Presenter: Chico Creek Nature Center Staff

F i E L D T R i p S & p R E S E N TA T i O N S / W O R K S h O p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

SATURDAy 1/27 13

Keeping Track of your Bird Life List Saturday 11 am - 12:30 pm

there are several computer programs that wildlife enthusiasts can use to keep track of their sightings. Bruce has tried most of them and can tell you the pros and cons of the most popular programs. he will demonstrate two programs - wildlife recorder and Pocket Bird recorder. the entry of your personal sight-ings is easier than you think! More important, exciting reports can be generated to show you exactly when and where you saw each of the birds on your list - whether it was in your own backyard or anywhere else in the world. $5-$2Presenter: Bruce Webb

Optics Saturday 1 pm - 2 pm

learn the basics about Binoculars and spotting scopes for birdwatching! what do the numbers mean? isn’t high-er power always better? this workshop will be a “show and tell” discussion about the differences in size, quality, and construction of optics so that you can make a good choice for your needs and budget. sample optics will be available from numerous manufacturers to illustrate. $5-$2Presenter: Marilyn Rose

All About Bats Saturday 1 pm - 2:30 pm

they are one of the most beneficial, yet most misud-erstood animals in the world. learn more about the habits, habitats, and species of bats that reside within the unique ecosystems of California’s valleys and for-ests. $5-$2Presenter: Linda Angerer

Alaska - 18 Days in AugustSaturday 3 pm - 4:30 pm

ron will dazzle us with a peak into the wonder that is alaska. with a thousand islands and ten thousand miles of edge this is truly the last ‘best wild place’ remaining on earth. visuals of ron’s exploration of the inside Pas-sage, s.e. alaska and Denali national Park, will allow us an extremely intimate view of the ‘alaska we all dream about’. hundreds of whales, thousands of bears (and even more eagles) make this an incredible visual journey you don’t want to miss! this year’s highlight will be his amazing coverage of a wolf pact. this truly is a celebration of all that is wild! $5-$2Presenter: Ron Sanford

Gathering of Wings Banquet and Silent Auction & Book SigningSaturday 5:30 pm - 10 pmSee page 6 for more details

Sunday, January 28th Field Trips

Oxidation ponds and indian Fishery Sunday 7:30 am - noon Meet at Chico Masonic family Center

Just a few miles from downtown Chico, these local oxidation ponds have been mentioned in several books on northern California as a premier birding spot. walk on the levees behind the City of Chico sewage treat-ment Plant and find many species of local and migrating waterfowl and other birds and mammals. then stop at indian fishery area of the Bidwell-sacramento river state Park and take a 1/2 mile guided nature trail. the trail winds through an oak woodland forest adjacent to an oxbow lake. woodpeckers abound along with wood-land and aquatic birds. in addition you may see river otter, beaver, and pond turtles. $15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leader: Mike Fisher

Bird the Shores of Black Butte Lake Sunday 7:30 am - 2 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

situated on the west side of the upper sacramento valley, Black Butte lake is surrounded by beautiful dark volcanic buttes. Come explore the backwaters and woodlands this lake has to offer and see Pied-billed grebes, Belted-Kingfisher, Bonaparte’s gulls, golden-eyes, Clark’s, and western grebes. stop along the roads

F i E L D T R i p S & p R E S E N TA T i O N S / W O R K S h O p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

14 SATURDAy 1/27 AND SUNDAy 1/28

and see wild turkeys, Mountain Bluebirds, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures. lewis’s woodpeckers, and golden and Bald eagle winter in this area too. Bring a lunch and drink. $20-$7 level 3Field Trip Leader: Phil Johnson Sutter Buttes hike – Mid-Mountain Sunday 7:30 am - 4 pmMeet at Black Bear Diner in gridley by 7:30 am

take a 5-mile hike into the mysterious interior of the sutter Buttes. visit secluded locations that reveal the Buttes’ geologic formation, native american presence, old pioneer home sites, and a wild ecology typical of California’s past. the mid-mountain hike is moderately brisk. wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and dress in layers appropriate to the weather. Bring lunch and water. $45-$40 level 3. allow 45-minute driving time from Chico. Field Trip Leaders: Mike Hubbartt and Marty Steidlemayer

Sutter Buttes hike – Summit Ascent Sunday 7:30 am - 4 pmMeet at Black Bear Diner in gridley by 7:30 am

take a 5-mile hike into the mysterious interior of the sutter Buttes. visit secluded locations that reveal the Buttes’ geologic formation, native american presence, old pioneer home sites, and a wild ecology typical of Cali-fornia’s past. the summit ascent, with a 1000 ft. elevation

gain within a half-mile stretch, is quite strenuous. wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and dress in layers appro-priate to the weather. Bring lunch and water. $45-$40 level 4. allow 45-minutes driving time from ChicoField Trip Leaders: Mike Hubbartt and Marty Steidlemayer

photography at Sacramento Refuge Sunday 8 am - noonMeet at the sacramento national wildlife refuge by 8 am

Join assistant refuge Manager steve emmons at the sacra-mento nwr to practice some of the techniques discussed in his saturday workshop. Depending on the weather and lighting conditions, we will concentrate on bird, scenic or close-up photography, so come prepared. various techniques will be demonstrated including finding subjects, getting close, using blinds and long lens techniques. technical subjects of ex-posure, lighting considerations, and flash will also be discussed. Participants should bring a film or digital camera body (with film or digital cards), wide angle, macro and telephoto (mini-mum 200mm with 1.4x teleconverter) lenses, tripod and flash (not mandatory but advised). Photographers using nikon camera bodies will be able to use steve’s 500mm f/4 (manual focus) and 80-200mm f/4 (manual focus) and 80-200mm f/2.8 (auto focus) lenses, and 1.4 and 2x teleconverters and 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. $15 level 2. allow 60-minute driving time from Chico.Field Trip Leader: Steve Emmons

Raptor Run Sunday 8 am - noonMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

the northern sacramento valley attracts some 14 different raptor species during the cold winter months, including seven hawks; four falcons; two eagles; and one kite. as January is one of the best months for raptor viewing in Butte County, we will caravan down highway 99 south of Chico to seek as many of these birds of prey as we can. target species are Bald eagle, ferruginous hawk, Merlin, Prairie falcon, and more. $15-$5 level 1 Field Trip Leader: Jackson Shedd

Sutter Buttes - peace Valley Sunday 8 am - 4 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

explore California state Park’s newly acquired property, Peace valley, in the sutter Buttes. it will be like stepping back in time as you learn about the valley’s natural and cultural history. we will visit a native american site used for grinding acorns. as we traverse this incredible valley we will learn the interesting geological processes that formed it. this is an undevel-oped area, so wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. Bring a sack lunch and beverage. (repeat of saturday’s hike.) $45-$40 level 3Field Trip Leader: Tim Davis

F i E L D T R i p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

SUNDAy 1/28 15

F i E L D T R i p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

16 SUNDAy 1/28

USFWS Llano Seco Viewing platform Sunday 8:30 am - 12:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

the llano seco unit of the sacramento river nwr offers sensational views from an elevated viewing platform. this trip is designed for the beginning to in-termediate birder (advanced birders are also welcome) as this is an ideal location for viewing a large variety of species all in one location! learn interesting facts about the birds as well as helpful hints on identification. you can expect to see a variety of wintering waterfowl, sandhill Cranes, raptors (last year several bald eagles were seen), along with many other species. Just a short drive outside of Chico, this is definitely a birding hot spot! (this is a duplicate of saturday’s field trip.) $15-$5 level 1 Field Trip Leader: Darhl Whitlock

Kayaking the Forebay Sunday 8:30 am - 12:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Cruise the cold waters of lake oroville’s north forebay and get up close with the resident and wintering water-fowl. this is a leisurely 3-mile paddle, and you must bring your own canoe or kayak to attend. you must also have a PfD (personal floatation device) for each person on your boat. Bring binoculars and warm clothing. $15-$5 level 4Field Trip Leaders: Ellen Clark and Bill Stewart

Feather River’s Bedrock park Sunday 8:45 am - 12:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

the main attraction of this leisurely walk at Bedrock Park is the diving duck population that frequents this stretch of the feather river. Buffleheads, goldeneyes, ruddy Ducks, and Common Mergansers can be seen doing their courtship and bonding displays. the riparian habitat along the river supports many species of wintering songbirds and waterfowl as well as beaver, river otter, raccoons, muskrats and wild turkey. $15-$5 level 2 Field Trip Leaders: John Grow and Leroy Hord in Search of the Wild Turkey at Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Sunday 9 am - 1 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Benjamin franklin thought so highly of the wild turkey that he recommended it (rather than the bald eagle) as our national symbol. the Big Chico Creek ecological reserve is home to flourishing flocks of these majestic birds. scott, chairman of the Chico Chapter of the national wild turkey federation and member of altacal audubon, will give a brief presentation on the history and life cycle of these birds as well as demonstrate the art of turkey calling, then attempt to view them in their natural environment. along the way we will keep a list of the many other bird species seen in this pristine reserve! $15-$5 level 3Field Trip Leader: Scott Huber

Birding in paradise! Sunday 9 am - 2 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

yes, see the birds of Paradise! follow gaylord as you walk lower Paradise’s bike path to view oak woodland birds. we should see spotted towhees along with red-breasted sapsuckers, Downy, nuttal’s, and acorn woodpeckers. we will then travel on up the hill to Desabla reservoir where sightings of bald eagles, wood ducks, Canada geese, nuthatches, Chickadees, and Mergansers are common. $15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leaders: Gaylord Grams Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Sunday 9 am - 2 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

enjoy great birding opportunities at the gray lodge wildlife area, one of the premier birding spots in northern California. hike to the viewing platform and visit the newly built ‘hides’. we will also drive the three-mile auto tour route. Birds likely to be seen include a wide variety of waterfowl (including snow geese), raptors, egrets, herons, Belted Kingfishers and many other wetland species. $15-$5 level 2 Field Trip Leader: Mary Muchowski

Bike & Bird with Chico Velo Sunday 10 am - 2 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Join the Chico velo Club for this 3 to 4 hour flat bike ride out to the indian fishery Day use area of Bidwell-sacramento river state Park, with a return stop at the City of Chico water Pollution control Plant (oxidation Ponds), both great birding spots. riders should have a reliable and safe bicycle. helmets will be required for all riders. Chico velo will provide snacks during the trip. Please bring your own water. $15-$5 level 4Field Trip Leader: Ed McLaughlin

hiking Tour of Riparian Restoration SitesSunday 12:30 pm - 4:30 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Join river Partner staff for a walking tour between two riparian restoration sites along the sacramento river. we will start at the ord Bend unit of the u.s. fish and wildlife service and end up at the California Department of fish and game’s Jacinto unit. the ap-proximately 3 mile level hike offers great views of the sacramento river and an opportunity to view winter wildlife. Come learn about river and restoration processes, opportunities for local community involve-ment, and wildlife benefits as you get a close-up view of the dramatic transformation taking place on these sites. good walking shoes are a must! $15-$5 level 3 Field Trip Leader: Dan Efseaff

Wing-it to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Sunday 12:30 pm - 5 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

the “winging-it” part of this trip is where the fun starts! en route to the refuge expect to veer off the beaten path a bit as your leader gravitates to where the birds are. when you arrive at the refuge we’ll view the dioramas at the visitor’s Center and pick-up a wildlife checklist. then you are off to a leisurely adventure around the auto tour loop which offers excellent view-ing opportunities. it is possible to see thousands of birds which include an impressive variety of species. we will make stops and exit our cars at designated viewing areas. enjoy the multitude of wildlife observations that this great refuge has to offer. you can expect to see snow geese, Pintails, Cinnamon teal, ring neck ducks, wigeon, rap-tors, and possibly a Bald eagle. $15-$5 level 2Field Trip Leader: Michael Denega

Birds, plants and indian Shelter Sunday 1 pm - 4 pmMeet at Chico Masonic family Center

Join us for a fun family hike to upper Bidwell Park! on our way to the indian shelter, we will pause to appreciate wildlife and indian uses of the plants we find along the way. take in the wonderful view of the canyon from the indian shelter. it is a three-mile round-trip hike so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. $10-$5 level 3Field Trip Leader: Jim Dempsey

Sunday, January 28thpresentations/WorkshopsChico Masonic Family Center

Digiscoping 101 Sunday 9 am - 10:30 am

the marriage of a spotting scope and a digital camera to document wildlife sightings is one of the hottest topics in the birding world today. in this seminar you will spend time in the classroom and then out in the field. Bruce, California field technician of swarovski optiK, usa will work with participants on topics such as: choosing the best camera mounting options, shooting tips, techniques in the field, and using a Digital slr behind the scope eyepiece. Participants are encouraged to bring their spotting scopes and digital still cameras. $5-$2Presenter: Bruce Webb

Birds of Bidwell park Sunday 9:30 am - 10:30 am

enjoy a virtual field trip through the seasons of Bidwell Park, with a discussion of the interesting facts about the common but fascinating feathered denizens of the Jewel of Chico. a rural park in an urban setting, Bidwell Park offers an amazing diversity of birds throughout the year. it is the perfect place for both the experienced and novice birdwatcher to learn about and enjoy the birds so near and dear to us. $5-$2Presenter: Roger Lederer

F i E L D T R i p S & p R E S E N TA T i O N S / W O R K S h O p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

SUNDAy 1/28 17

Bats and Bat Box Building Sunday 10 am - noon

after learning some fascinating bat facts join Bob and Jackie as they help you construct your very own bat box to take home, put up, and start attracting these amazing creatures to your property. learn the best location to place your box as well as interesting facts on the ben-efits of providing these roosting spots. $7-$5 per boxPresenters: Jackie Ferrier and Bob Guzman

Armchair Tour of Feather River Canyon Wildlife Sunday 11 am - noon

enjoy glimpses of the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife found within the feather river Canyon without ever leaving the comfort of your chair. experience the beautiful colors and patterns of nature that rex has captured on film. this presentation is sure to entice you into visiting the feather river Canyon! $5-$2Presenter: Rex Burress

Raptor iD and Falconry Sunday 11 am - 12:30 pm

enjoy a PowerPoint slide presentation featuring raptors of the northern sacramento valley. field identification, characteristics, unique habits, fascinating facts, and curious myths about these beautiful birds of prey will be discussed. learn why birds of prey have been revered in history and folklore for thousands of years. falconry has been a part of history for more than 4,000 years.

Beginning as a means of hunting wild game, it has been the sport of kings and the icon of a complex social cast system. Participants will see live birds and the equip-ment used in modern and historic falconry. view an exciting PowerPoint slide presentation of falconry being practiced in the field. $5-$2Presenter: Andy Wahl

Keeping Track of your Bird Life List Sunday 1 pm - 2:30 pm

there are several computer programs that wildlife enthusiasts can use to keep track of their sightings. Bruce has tried most of them and can tell you the pros and cons of the most popular programs. he will demonstrate two programs - wildlife recorder and Pocket Bird recorder. the entry of your personal sight-ings is easier than you think! More important, exciting reports can be generated to show you exactly when and where you saw each of the birds on your list - whether it was in your own backyard or anywhere else in the world. $5-$2Presenter: Bruce Webb

Birds of Sierra Valley and yuba pass Sunday 1 pm – 2:30 pm

Perhaps one of the most accessible and varied birding experiences can be found in the corridor along high-way 49 from sierra City to sierra valley. in a relatively short distance of 25 miles a birder can experience a variety of habitats from mixed oak/coniferous forest to lodgepole/red fir and high altitude fresh marshes where you’ll see bird species like western tanager, evening grosbeak, Black-backed and lewis’ woodpecker, Cal-liope hummingbird, Mountain Bluebird, townsend’s solitaire, hermit warbler, green-tailed towhee, yellow-headed Blackbird, Black tern, and golden eagle. Mac will give you a snapshot of these exciting sierran birds along with suggestions for identifying the more difficult to identify species. $5-$2Presenter: Mac McCormick

the following rating system for field trips will give you an idea for the rigors involved.1-mostly birding by car and/or easy walking2-walking, could involve distance but largely flat3-more vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss4-a true adventure trip, lots of driving and hikingWheelchair accessible

p R E S E N TA T i O N S / W O R K S h O p S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

18 SUNDAy 1/28

Linda Angerer is a u.s. forest service wildlife Biologist and currently the Bat Coor-dinator for California’s national forests.

Skip Augur is publicity and webmaster of the white-tailed Kite, the local altacal audubon society’s newsletter.

Jay Bogiatto is station Manager at Csu, Chico’s eagle lake field station, Director of the Biology Department’s vertebrate Museum and teaches ornithology, water-fowl biology and zoology at Csu, Chico.

Steve Brightwell is assistant Manager at the California Department of fish and game feather river fish hatchery.

Rex Burress, a long time naturalist, wildlife artist, outdoor photographer, and nature writer is retired from the lake Mer-ritt refuge in oakland.

Bill Burrows is a local rancher, Certified educator for holistic Management, and Coordinator for sunflower Coordinated resource Management Plan. California ranching has been a “way of life” for the Burrows’ family since 1848.

Ellen Clark has been an interpreter with California state Parks for twenty-one years. she is an avid kayaker and birder.

Tim Davis has served as a state Park ranger at several parks throughout Califor-nia for over thirty years. his current work location is the Bidwell – sacramento river state Park just outside of Chico.

Tyler Dawley of Big Bluff ranch grew up on the family ranch where it was understood that the health of the landscape directly affects the health of humans. Big Bluff ranch’s grass-fed meat is the translation of a healthy landscape into healthy food.

Jim Dempsey works in resource manage-ment for California state Parks and is an active member of the California native Plant society.

Wes Dempsy is an emeritus Professor of Biology at Csu Chico. he has led hikes in the area for many years.

Michael Denega is a dynamic researcher and instructor at folsom lake College and independent learning Center. he has spent considerable time as a researcher and wildlife photographer in the arctic national wildlife refuge with the federal Migratory Bird Program.

Bruce Deuel has been a biologist for the California Department of fish and game for 32 years, and an avid birder for 45 years. he’s recorded over 1500 species

in 7 countries on 4 continents, and is cur-rently a member of the Central valley Bird Club Board of Directors.

Dan Efseaff is a restoration ecologist for river Partners whose main focus is on the im-plementation of river conservation projects.

Steve Emmons is an assistant refuge Manager for the sacramento and Delevan nwrs (sacramento nwr Complex, wil-lows, Ca) since 1996.

Jackie Ferrier has been a biologist for the u.s. fish and wildlife service since 1993 and is currently stationed at sacramento national wildlife refuge Complex.

Mike Fisher is the current Co-vice Presi-dent of the local altacal audubon Chapter. he is an avid birder and volunteer bird bander at the Big Chico Creek ecological reserve.

Dawn Garcia has worked professionally as a wildlife biologist in washington state. she has had her federal bird banding license for 12 years and has initiated a variety of studies with songbirds and various owl species.

Gaylord Grams is an avid local birder and leads many field trips for the altacal Chapter of the audubon society.

Herman Gray is a retired physician. while traveling the world in his profession, he has enjoyed viewing many bird species. he is also an active gray lodge wildlife area docent.

Tom Griggs has designed and imple-mented riparian restoration projects along the sacramento river for the past 18 years. he works for river Partners and is a plant ecologist by training. he knows where to find birds and other wildlife on the river floodplain.

John Grow actively involves himself in the oroville wildlife area wood Duck Program. he also conducts interpretive programs for the state Parks at lake oroville.

Bob Guzman is actively involved in the gray lodge wildlife area wood Duck Program.

Leroy Hord, local birder, is actively involved in the gray lodge wildlife area wood Duck Program.

Mike Hubbartt is a Middle Mountain foundation board member actively involved in the preservation of the integrity of the sut-ter Buttes for over twenty-three years.

Liam Huber, known among local birders as a birding prodigy, 9 year-old liam hu-ber is a 4th grader in the gate program at Marigold elementary school . with a life-list of over 340 species, liam has birded many of the best hot-spots in the country includ-ing alaska, southeast arizona and Pt. reyes, identifying and photographing such rarities as: long-tailed Jaeger, Palm warbler and aztecthrush.

19

leader Biographies

Scott Huber,an avid birder and hunter, scott has been thrilled by wild turkeys since first hearing them gobble in 1981. as chairman of the Chico Chapter of the national wild turkey federation, licensed California turkey hunting guide and field trip Chairman for altacal audubon society, scott’s local experience is sure to provide a great morning of birding and turkey watching.

Ben Hughes is a shasta College history instructor and member of the sacramento river Discovery Center Board of Directors.

Phil Johnson is the President of the altacal audubon society member and coordinator of both the oroville and Chico Christmas Bird Counts.

Roger Lederer is Professor emeritus of Biological sciences at Csu, Chico. he has taught ornithology, his specialty, and ecology courses, as well as, worked with environmental organizations and schools.

Jessica Lundberg is from a famous rice family will personally greet and lead the tour of her family’s processing facilities and adjacent farmland.

Greg Massa is a 4th generation California rice farmer. he and his wife raquel are former tropical biologists who decided that farming offered unique opportunities for hands-on conservation and social work

that were missing from their academic studies. they live in a strawbale house (built with their own rice straw) with their five children, and market their organic rice under the Massa organics label. greg is also on the Boards of Directors of the rice Producers of California, California rice Commission, and the glenn County resource Conservation District.

Mac McCormick a retired high school biology teacher of 37 years and the co-director of the san francisco state university sierra nevada field station Bird Banding Program. he has caught and banded thousands of birds that mostpeople only hope to see.

Dan McKnight is part owner of the Book family farm.

Ed McLaughin has been the manager of the Chico velo Cycling Club for the past 25 years.

Mary Muchowski has been birding since 1988 after taking ornithology at south Dakota state university. she has worked as a wildlife technician/biologist since 1988 with the u.s. forest service, the Bureau of land Management and the u.s. fish & wildlife service and currently has a busi-ness contracting with the forest service to conduct wildlife surveys.

Gary Norcross is the orchard Manager of the u.s. forest service genetic re-source Center since 1975.

Michelle Ocken is president and founder of the Chico state Birding Club and a member of the local audubon society. she is also the animal caretaker at the Chico Creek nature Center.

Bill Oliver is president of the wintu audubon society in redding, California.

Matt Pritchard is the roP natural resource Program teacher at red Bluff high school and also the instructor for the student intern Program at the sacramento river Discovery Center.

Marilyn Rose of Mendocino is one of the owners and founders of www.DiscountBinoculars.com and out of this world. since 1988, this shop has offered a broad and intelligent selection of optics for birders, naturalists, and travelers and is one of the largest optics sellers in California.

Peter Sands is one of the landowners of the Dean ranch in the sutter Buttes. he is a naturalist for the Middle Mountain foun-dation and an enthusiastic ornithologist. he has been the compiler of the Peace valley Christmas bird count for the past 22 years.

Ron Sanford has been a professional photographer for over thirty years. along with his wife nancy, he has traveled the world taking photos for hundreds of cal-endars and magazines, including national geographic, audubon, national wildlife, and others.

Jackson Shedd is an avid birder and past President of the altacal audubon society. he is also a local wildlife artist and author of amphibians and reptiles of Bidwell Park.

Joe Silveira is a wildlife Biologist for the u.s. fish and wildlife service since 1990 and is currently stationed at sacramento national wildlife refuge Complex.

Marty Steidlemayer is a sutter Buttes landowner and rancher. Marty has an intimate knowledge of the sutter Buttes landscapes.

Bill Stewart spent over twenty-five years presenting interpretive programs as a Cali-fornia state Park ranger. he is now retired and is an avid kayaker and birder.

Brad Stovall has recently updated altacal audubon’s “Birds of Butte County” list. he’s an avid birder and a lifetime member of altacal audubon.

L E A D E R B i O G R A p h i E S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

20

Scott Toricelli is an environmental educator for over twenty-five years. he currently teaches for the Chico unified school District.

Andy Wahl is a master falconer for thir-teen years. andy currently teaches biology at Chico Junior high.

Bruce Webb worked with tim Manolis to write the annotated list of Birds of Butte County when he was a student at Chico state. Currently, he is the u.s. distributor of wildlife Computing software products and is California’s field technician for swarovski optiks, usa.

Kelly Williams is a natural resource specialist for the Bureau of land Manage-ment. he has been in the north valley area for over twenty years.

Darhl Whitlock grew up in northern California. llano seco is one of her favorite birding spots in the Central valley and she has lead many field trips there. she is cur-rently an instructor at Butte College andCsu Chico where she teaches general biol-ogy and field biology.

Steve Zachary is a Park ranger and the education specialist at lassen volcanic national Park for more than 16 years. he is an avid hiker and naturalist.

Dawit Zeleke is a land Manager and restoration specialist for the nature Con-servancy.

Thank you to the Chico Creek Nature Center Staff, The Nature Conservancy, Middle Mountain Foundation, Red Bluff High School Regional Occupation Program Stu-dent Interns and Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. Keynote Speaker Glenn Olsonglenn olson is vice President and execu-tive Director of audubon California. he directs audubon programs in California, which include a network of nature centers and wildlife sanctuaries, 50 local audubon chapters, and more than 60,000 audubon members.

audubon California recently completed an update of our 2010 Conservation action Plan charting audubon’s course over the next 5 years. among the major conserva-tion initiatives in the plan is the protection of the most important California land-scapes for birds, including areas such as san francisco Bay, the salton sea, as well as the Mayacamas Mountains region of the inte-rior Coast range. in each area, audubon will partner with sister organizations to not

only design a long-range conservation plan, but to also build a constituency of people who support the conservation of these key landscapes.

glenn started his audubon career as conservation chair for the los ange-les audubon chapter. he taught at the audubon Camp of the west in Dubois, wyoming. he holds a Master’s Degree in Public health from uCla and a Bachelor’s Degree from the university of California at santa Barbara.

Featured Author Gary Kramer

gary Kramer is a freelance writer/pho-tographer based in willows, California. his photographs and articles are regularly published in outdoor magazines including Ducks unlimited, sports afield, outdoor life, shooting sportsman, wild Bird and living Bird along with books, calendars and corporate advertising. gary has published four books including flyways, a Celebration of waterfowl and wetlands and California wildlife impressions. During the past 25 years, gary has traveled to 35 foreign countries as well as throughout the united states. a vietnam veteran, gary

earned Bachelor of science and Master of science degrees from humboldt state uni-versity. for 26 years, gary was a wildlife biologist and refuge manager with the us fish and wildlife service. from 1989 to 1999, he was the manager of the sacra-mento national wildlife refuge Complex. in 1999, gary retired and his work can be viewed at www.garykramer.net.

L E A D E R B i O G R A p h i E S w w w. s n o w g o o s e f e s t i v a l . o r g

21

thank you!

22

Chris Calloway, silent auction & receptionDebbie Chakarun, Programlollie De young, silent auctionDorothy Domish, silent auction & receptionsJackie ferrier, exhibit CoordinatorMike fisher, Program & MerchandiseMarilyn gamette, Programliz gardner, registrationBob guzman, Programtom haithcock, ProgramKathleen huber, youth activitiesveronika Kehoe, receptionruth Kennedy, youth activitiesChuck lundgren, website MasteroJ McMillan, registrationKathleen McPartland, silent auctionJohn Merz, Committee ChairJohn oswald, treasurerstephen overlock, volunteer CoordinatorJennifer Patten, festival Coordinatorlois Perkins, art show

Carolyn short, art showelisabeth stewart, registrationrobert villarrial, website Mastersharon wallace, outreach & Mediatiffany yost, registration & website

in addition to those mentioned, many indi-viduals have helped to plan and create this year’s festival. the steering Committee would like to sincerely thank all those who have had a hand in this year’s programming and events, especially our many field trip and workshop leaders.

special thank you to:avenue 9 gallery24hr Drive-By galleryCalifornia Conservation CorpsPeet’s Coffeehouse rich nelson Designshort run Publishing

steering CoMMittee

8th annual snow goose festival

thank you!

23

who helPeD MaKe this festival a suCCess

thank you to our sPonsors

Butte County fish and game Commission Chico news & reviewnew urban BuildersPacific gas and electric Company

sacramento river Preservation trustsacramento river watershed Programus fish and wildlife service, sacramento national wildlife refuge Complex

tundra swan $500+

altacal audubon society

California state Parks

California waterfowl association

Chico Chamber of Commerce

Chico Creek nature Center

us Department of the interior Bureau of land Management

snowy egret $250+

Ca Department of fish and gameCalifornia rice Commissionlundberg family farmsrancho esquon

great Blue heron$1,000+

White-faced Ibis $100+

Birkenstock of Chico Butte Community BankButte environmental CouncilJohn B. Copelandoverland equipmentthe nature Conservancy

snow goose$2,500+

river Partnerssierra nevada Brewing Company

to make your trip more enjoyable for yourself and others, we ask you to please use these following etiquette tips:

n wear clothing suitable for the weather and area you’ll be hiking in. it’s practical to layer clothing to accommodate fluctuations in tempera-ture. wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip and are waterproof when necessary. you may want to take sunscreen, a hat or rain gear.

n Bring binoculars or a scope for a better viewing experience.

n Bring water on long outings to stay hydrated.

n Bring a field guide if you are interested in learning more about the birds you see. if you are a beginning birder, look for a guide that specializes in birds of northern California.

n Be courteous to other explorers. stay with your group and pay attention to your trip leader. walk quietly and slowly. Do not disrupt animals or their habitats. turn off cell phones or other electronic devices. if you are taking children with you, explain to them proper etiquette before the trip.

n tune up your senses and listen carefully. scan the horizon and tree canopies. look to the ground for prints, feathers and other traces of wildlife. Please remove litter and leave natural items where they belong. this will keep it enjoyable for others when they visit.

tips &etiquette for BirD watChers

notes

location Directions: unless otherwise noted in program descriptions, all field trip and workshops begin at the

Chico Masonic Family Center (CMFC) 1110 w. east avenue

Directions: from hwy 99, take the east avenue exit. (this is two exits north of the east 1st avenue exit.) turn west on east avenue. the CMfC is approxi-mately 1.5 miles from the hwy 99 exit, on the right (north) side of east avenue.

if coming from nord avenue on hwy 32, turn east at the w. east avenue stoplight. the CMfC is on the left, approximately .2 miles from the hwy 32 & east avenue intersection.

Sacramento River Discovery Center(SRCD) 1000 sale lane, red Bluff(530) 527-1196

Directions from Redding: south on interstate 5, take antelope Blvd. exit and turn east. then turn right on sale lane and continue down the road where you will see the Center.

Directions from Sacramento: north on hwy 99 to red Bluff turn into antelope Blvd. (hwy 36). follow road for 2.2 miles and turn left on sale lane. Continue to the end of the road where you will see the Center.Driving time and distance from Chico: 53 minutes, 42 miles

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR)752 County road 99w, willows(530) 934-2801

Directions from Redding:take interstate 5 south to exit 601 (road 57). turn left onto road 57. at the stop sign, turn right onto County road 99 w/old highway 99. in 4.4 miles turn left at sacramento national wildlife refuge.

Directions from Sacramento: take interstate 5 north to exit 595 (road 68). turn right onto road 68.at the stop sign, turn left onto County road 99 w/old highway 99. in 1.5miles turn right at sacramento national wildlife refuge.Driving time and distance from Chico: 46 minutes, 41 miles

Black Bear Diner Gridley (BBD)1586 state hwy 99, gridley(530) 846-3043

Directions from Chico: take hwy 99 south to gridley. BBD is in a shopping center on the eastside of hwy 99 in gridley.Driving time and distance from Chico: 38 minutes, 33 miles

Waffle Shop Live Oak (WSLO)10432 state hwy 99 (live oak Blvd), live oak(530) 695-1303

Directions from Chico: take hwy 99 south to live oak. wslo is on west side of hwy 99 at the north end of town.Driving time and distance from Chico: 45 minutes, 38 miles

Chico park & Ride (CpR)Directions from Chico:take the 385 (hwy 32 Chester/orland) exit from hwy 99 (in Chico). Park & ride on eastside of hwy 99-park at first lot near highway exit.

ide Adobe State historic park (iAShp)21659 adobe road, red Bluff (530) 529-8599

Directions from Chico:take state hwy 99 north 38 miles. Merge onto i-5 north. take adobe road exit (exit 650). turn right onto adobe road end at william B. ide adobe state Park.Driving time and distance from Chico: 50 minutes, 41miles

Gary Lodge Wildlife Area (GLWA) 3207 rutherford rd, gridley(530) 846-7500

Directions from Chico:take hwy 99 south to gridley. turn right on sycamore street in gridley. (sycamore street becomes Colusa hwy). travel about seven miles and turn left onto Pennington road. turn right on rutherford road. Driving time and distance from Chico: 56 minutes, 42 miles

if you have any questions about traveling to your destination, please call the office at (530) 345-1865 so that we can assist you.

Map and Directions

D O W N T O W N C h i C O

WEST SACRAMENTO AVE

MAP NOT TO SCALE

EAST FiRST AVE

ShOppiNG CTRChiCO

MASONiCFAMiLy

WEST EAST AVE1110 W. EAST

NO

RD A

VE

CUSS

iCK

AVE

ESpL

AN

AD

E

24hr Drive by Gallery

WEST 7Th STREET

BROA

DWAy

MAi

N

ELEMENTARySChOOL

EAST 8Th

1075 E. 20Th

ChiCO MALLShOppiNG CTR

SiERRANEVADABREWERy

FORE

ST A

VE

pARK

20Th STREET

ShOppiNG CTR

SKyWAy

ChiCO REhABiLiTATiON hOSpiTAL

32

32

99

99

lN

32

ChiCO CREEKNATURE CTR

1968 E. 8Th ST.

117 W. 7th St.between Broadway and Main

180 E. 9th Ave.

Avenue 9Gallery

Chico park and RideDA

yTO

N R

D.

EAST pARK

hEGAN LANE

ALTACAL AUDUBON SOCiETy

p.O. BOx 3671ChiCO, CA 95927-3671

N O N - p R O F i TORGANizATiONU.S. pOSTAGE pAiDp E R M i T N O 8 6ChiCO, CA 95927

a PaCifiC flyway event www.snowgoosefestival.org

incoming!