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Field Trip: Soils, Landforms, & Vegetation of Bidwell Park

$25 Adult; $10 Youth

Wednesday, Jan 23, 2019 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center (Map)

More vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss More vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss

Description

This trip begins in the flood plain of Big Chico Creek and travels back in time across the older deposits of the creek and up onto the Cascade foothills. The first route covers a condensed sequence of the major landforms that occur in the Sacramento Valley as well as the transition to the Tuscan Formation in the Cascade foothills in less than 1 mile. The second route is a 1.5 mile one-way walk up the bottom of Big Chico Creek Canyon applying what was observed on the first route and viewing the slot canyon in the Lovejoy basalt which controls the stream dynamics in this reach of the canyon. Vegetation and habitats will be correlated to soil characteristics and landforms along both routes. We will do some free-style birding on our hike back. Please bring water, snacks, and binoculars. Dress warmly and wear hiking shoes.

Field Trip Leaders

Andrew Conlin

Andrew Conlin has worked as a Soil Scientist for the NRCS for 28 years. After mapping soils in IL, MN, NY and the San Joaquin Valley, he completed the Soil Surveys of Butte County and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Andrew has provided soils tours for 20 years, explaining the relationships between soils, geomorphology, and vegetation.

Andrew Conlin's Events

Birder, John Seid

John Seid taught elementary school children for 35 years and made it a point to teach them about the wonders of our natural world and our place in this amazing world. Since we live in the Pacific Flyway, many units were done around birds that migrate here and also our local ones. John believes that if you know the name of something it brings you closer. He is an avid photographer, and you can find him all summer kayaking with his faithful dog and all winter at the refuges around us—with Lucy the dog also.

Birder, John Seid's Events