Field Trip: Wings & Wine Tasting in Vina

Field Trip: Wings & Wine Tasting in Vina - Sold Out!

$50 Adult

Thursday, Jan 25, 2024 8:45 am - 3:00 pm

Meet at Patrick Ranch Museum (Map)

Walking, could involve distance but largely flat Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

Description

Take a memorable trip to where California history was made and where monks and a wine maker now reside. As we leave Chico, our first travels will include Meridian and Lassen Roads. This is an excellent location to see Horned Lark, Prairie Falcons, Bald Eagles, Merlin, Rough-legged Hawk, and Ferruginous Hawk. Next, we'll explore the riparian and oak woodland habitats of the Sacramento River in search of resident and wintering birds such as woodpeckers, raptors, thrushes, sparrows, bluebirds, ducks and more. Time allowing, we may travel to Cone Grove Park or another suitable spot for lunch, on our way to the Abbey of New Clairvaux in nearby Vina, California, home to a community of Trappist monks that was founded in 1955. A discussion of the history of the property and its relation to the history of California, the story of its current residents, a tour of the under re-construction Twelfth Century Monastic Chapter House, and wine tasting will all be included. Tour and wine tasting fees included in price. Bring lunch, water, and binoculars.

Field Trip Leaders

Bill Smith

Bill Smith is a retired Professional Forester who has resided in in Chico since 1975. He has a BS in Forest Management from Michigan Technological University and retired as the "Forest Silviculturist" from the Plumas National Forest in 2010. His forte in the Forest Service was large reforestation project logistics and Service Contract Administration. Notable accomplishments include serving on the Bidwell Park Commission, securing the three acre "Blue Oak Reserve" within Hillview Terrace Subdivision, and spearheadimg the design and build-out of Baroni Park, a Chico Neighborhood Park.

Bill leads a Chico Meetup Hiking Group and stays active in Community affairs. Currently, Bill is a docent at the Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux, in Vina, Ca., where he leads tours. The Abbey is home to 25 Trappist monks, and the property played an important role in California history.

Bill Smith's Events

Stuart Angerer

Stuart Angerer lives in Colusa County and as an avid birder enjoys the proximity to the Sacramento Valley Refuges. His lifelong love of the outdoors and 30 years working as an Environmental Scientist for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation have enabled him to work in the Sierras and Coast Range as well as many of the wildlife refuges in the state. Birding experience includes Spotted Owl, Northern Goshawk, breeding bird, and Tri-colored Blackbird and shorebird surveys.

Stuart Angerer's Events