Field Trip: Paddle the North Forebay

Field Trip: Paddle the North Forebay - Sold Out!

$50 Adult; $35 Youth

Friday, Jan 27, 2023 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Meet at Forebay Aquatic Center (Map)

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

Description

Participants will meet the trip leaders at the North Forebay Aquatic Center, at 10am, and be on the water from 10:30am to 1:00pm, with experienced guides who are familiar with the abundant and diverse wildlife. These ecological tours will educate flat-water boaters on safe boating practices and the ecology of the area. We will also do a short walking tour of our beautiful habitat. There are 15 seats available in either a single or tandem sit-on-top or sit-in kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, or stand-up paddle boards depending on your experience. Guests will be provided with all boating equipment and fundamental paddling instruction for novice to experienced. Guests are advised to bring appropriately warm and waterproof clothing, cameras and binoculars. The Forebay Aquatic Center (FAC), is a facility in a State Park Recreation Area, that supports recreation throughout the Thermalito complex and the Feather River Watershed. It is an approximately 30 minute drive from Chico to the center. Floats are appropriate for ages 8 and up and are a low impact, physically active, great way to view the wildlife and migratory waterfowl prominent during this time. Our trip has access to the non-motorized State Park areas which are inaccessible to motorized vehicles and boats. No need to stop and pay the State Park entrance fee, it's included in the price. Keep left after the front entrance kiosk and park near the big metal building. This trip is also offered on Saturday morning.

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.

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Carol Anderson

Carol Anderson is a retired high school biology teacher with a life-long interest in nature. A member of Altacal Audubon Society since retirement, she enjoys learning from experienced birders. She has assisted in the grebe survey at the Thermalito afterbay, the birding class of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSU, Chico, and the Northern Saw-whet Owl banding project.

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Barbara Haskin

Barbara Haskin is a retired nurse, and has lived in Butte County for 40 years. She is a member of Altacal Audubon Society and has participated in the Chico and Oroville Christmas Bird Counts. Interests include hiking, kayaking, and exploring the natural world.

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Diane Brown

Diane Brown is a retired elementary school teacher who was blessed to commute through rice fields teaming with migratory waterfowl and the raptors that hunt them. Over the course of many years, she saw the benefit of changing farming practices from burning rice straw to flooding fields as the population of winter migrants grew before her eyes. Living in the foothills of the Sierra, Diane believes in the importance of gardening with native plants to benefit wildlife. She hikes daily with her beloved springer spaniels. Through a friendship with Carol Anderson, Diane has met a community of birders who enjoy kayaking and bird watching.

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Jon Aull

Jon has been a naturalist around Chico since the turn of the century, designing and implementing environmental education programs for children and adults. He has a master's degree from CSUC in Parks and Natural Resources. His particular interests are plants, birds, and butterflies, but practically anything in nature can stop him in his tracks and lead him down a rabbit hole of ecological relationships.

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