Field Trip Leader Bios
Read all the biographies here.
A special note about Field Trips
Please arrive at the location indicated 20 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. 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: River Partners Restoration Art - Seeing the birds through theTrees!
$30 Adult; $20 Youth
Thursday, Jan 26, 2023 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Meet at Patrick Ranch Museum (Map)
Mostly birding by car and/or easy walking
Description
Join River Partners for a quick walk and open-air art project at the Bidwell Sacramento State Recreation Area near Chico. The Brayton Project is a 25-acre riparian reforestation project that was planted in 2020 amidst old-growth Valley Oak Riparian Forest. The site hosts beautiful views of the Sacramento River and its raptor populations. We will provide a short description of the restoration project and lead a casual art project for participants. No need to fret about art skills this experience is more about seeing the river and its birds through the work of your hands. Materials and supplies provided by River Partners. Please bring you own chair.
Field Trip Leaders
April Damanti
April Damanti obtained a bachelor's degree for wildlife biology from CSU, Chico in 2016. After college, she worked for the United States Forest Service assisting the Mendocino National Forest's Botany and Wildlife programs. While serving the MNF she surveyed for sensitive species such as mountain lady slipper orchid, northern goshawk, and northern spotted owl to name a few. She began her career with River Partners in fall 2021 as a restoration biologist specializing in side-channel restoration.
April Damanti's Events
Jade Jacobs
Jade Jacobs is a Restoration Ecologist for River Partners. She has a Bachelor's in marine biology from the University of West Florida and a Master's of Environmental Science from Washington State University, Vancouver. Her past experience includes research in estuaries focused on invasive species and their impact on the food web. Currently, her work with River Partners focuses on design and management of projects primarily related to restoring habitat for juvenile salmon.
Jade Jacobs's Events