18th Annual Snow Goose Festival

Field Trip Leader Bios

Read all the biographies here.

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 location to the final destination. Anyone arriving after the field trip leader has left may not be able to join the group. Most field trips will be limited to the first 20 reservations. Walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the Festival.

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 50F to 65F.

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 below to help you enjoy your day to the fullest.

Tips & Etiquette for Bird Watchers

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

Wear clothing suitable for the weather and area you'll be hiking in. It's practical to layer clothing to accommodate fluctuations in temperature. Wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip and are waterproof when necessary. You may want to take sunscreen, a hat or rain gear.
Bring binoculars or a scope for a better viewing experience.
Bring water on long outings to stay hydrated.
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.
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 damage their habitats (breaking branches, trampling vegetation). Turn off cell phones or other electronic devices. If you are taking children with you, explain to them proper etiquette before the trip. Always behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the birding communities in the eyes of the public.
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.
No dogs or pets allowed on any Snow Goose Festival event, workshop, or program. Please leave Fido with friends or family and not in the car during a field trip.

Field Trip: Paddle the Thermalito Afterbay

Field Trip: Paddle the Thermalito Afterbay - Sold Out!

$45 Adult; $35 Youth

Friday, Jan 27, 2017 7:00 am - 12:30 pm

Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center (Map)

Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

Description

Come paddle the Afterbay with experienced guides from the Forebay Aquatic Center who are familiar with the abundant and diverse wildlife present throughout the Oroville Wildlife Refuge. These ecological tours will educate flat-water boaters on ecology and safe boating practices while fostering an appreciation for the Oroville Thermalito Complex. Floats are appropriate for ages 8-80 and are a low-impact, physically-active way to view the wildlife and migratory waterfowl prominent during this time. Our trip has access to the non-motorized State Park areas that are inaccessible to motorized vehicles and boats. You will ride in either a single or tandem sit-on-top kayak. Youth 12 years of age or under will travel in a double kayak or demonstrate appropriate skill level. Guests will be provided with all boating equipment and fundamental paddling instruction for novice to experienced. Bring appropriately warm and waterproof clothing, cameras, and binoculars.

Field Trip Leaders

Brad Cooke

Brad Cooke has a California Chico State University degree in Recreation Administration. Since 1999, he has been an associate faculty at Butte Community College in outdoor education and has worked for 25 years in Butte County supporting natural history, native ways, and environmental education with an appreciation and knowledge for the hidden gems in Northern California. He has been a consultant for National Wildlife Refuges and an education programs director throughout Northern California. He has served as an experiential educator for thousands of students and teachers throughout Northern California. Brad is a eco-tour and raft guide with a huge variety of knowledge on our amazing North State.

Brad Cooke's Events

Paddle the Thermalito Afterbay (1/27/2017)

James Shipps

James Shipps is a graduate from the Chico State Recreation Administration Program; he is currently interning with the California State Parks Lake Oroville Visitor Center acquiring greater Interpretation abilities, as well as working as an Environmental Outdoor Educator at the Fore bay Aquatic Center. He has assisted in the annual monitoring of Bald Eagles, Bank Swallows, Grebes, and Peregrine Falcons, when working for the Department of Water Resources as a Fish & Wildlife Scientific Aide. As a Fisheries Technician with Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, James was engaged in many types of fisheries research, such as: Escapement Surveys, Rotary Screw Trap monitoring, and Redd monitoring surveys on the Feather River.

James Shipps's Events

Paddle the Thermalito Afterbay (1/27/2017)