Join us for a virtual journey through the upper and middle Sacramento River regions. We will discuss how physical river systems and seasons affect and influence wildlife within the Sacramento River Watershed. This workshop will highlight the majesty, ecosystem services and diverse wildlife of the Sacramento River. This 1.5 hour workshop will have plenty of time for questions and attendee input.

Presenter: Lucas RossMerz

This year we will feature an eclectic assortment of interesting maps from around the North Valley and beyond. Get the bird’s eye view of our local landscape features. Stroll through maps in the CMFC hallway and let your curiosity take you on a tour.

Displays by State, Federal, and Non-profit organizations. Plus vendors selling everything from binoculars to bird books.

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.

Along with the Live Animal Presentations, Meet Smokey Bear and Blue Goose, Junior Duck Stamp Display, and the Duck Calling Contest, children may earn a Junior Naturalist Certificate by participating in a few activities designed just for children. There will be nature crafts, opportunities to build bird feeders, make a bird call and much, much more!

Birds use the sun's polarized light as one of their tools to enable them to navigate during migration. Come learn more about out magnetic sun. We'll begin with a talk and PowerPoint presentation about our sun, sunspots, solar prominence, flares, and coronal mass ejections. Then we'll explore light using simple diffraction gratings. Finally, skies permitting, we'll go outside and do some solar viewing using a safe, dedicated solar telescope.

Presenter: David Samuels

All 100 California winners from nearly 2,000 entries will be on display. Don’t forget to see the Chico winners. The location has changed this year. It is now at the Chico Creek Nature Center. The display will be available for viewing from Wednesday, January 23, through Sunday, January 27, from 11:00am until 4:00pm.

They are one of the most beneficial, yet most misunderstood 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 forests.

Presenter: Linda Angerer

Snow Geese, Ross's Geese, and Blue Morphs - it can be overwhelmingly white in the sky! Come learn how to tell the difference between all these white geese. Through exquisite pictures and lively narration, you can become much more knowledgeable about our Mascot of the Festival.

Presenter: Mike Peters

Meet "Checkers" a Great Horned Owl as Marilyn shares some fascinating facts, unique habits, and curious myths about these beautiful birds of prey. Learn about wildlife rehabilitation and what you can do to help native wildlife. A surprise visit by other raptors is sure to delight all ages.

Presenter: Marilyn Gamette

Filmed in the Gray Lodge Wildlife Refuge, The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, The Llano Seco Wildlife Refuge, and the wetlands and rice fields in and around the counties of Butte and Colusa in California, this beautiful video gives viewers a close-up look at many of the migratory birds that come from as far away as Siberia and the Arctic Circle to make their homes in the Sacramento Valley's wetlands each winter. Included are Snow Geese, Ross's Geese, Greater White-Fronted Geese, Canada Geese, Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, and many other species.

Presenter: Henry Ganzler