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
$35 Adult; $15 Youth
Thursday, Jan 25, 2024 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 River State Park "Pine Creek Access" near Chico. This is a 25-acre riparian reforestation project that was planted in 2021 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 your own chair.
Field Trip Leaders
April Damanti
April is a Restoration Biologist for River Partners, specializing in side-channel and floodplain restoration and reconnection on the Sacramento River. Her work focuses on restoring riparian habitat for native species, habitat connectivity, carbon sequestration and aquifer recharge, encouraging natural river processes on restored floodplains, invasive species management and site monitoring. April received a B.S. in Ecology and Evolution of Organisms from California State University, Chico.
April Damanti's Events
- River Partners Restoration Art (1/25/2024)
Marvey Mueller
Marvey Mueller began sketching while living and hiking in the Eastern Sierras twenty years ago. She has continued to keep a watercolor sketch journal wherever she goes. Being able to sit with nature and enjoy its beauty through the act of sketching is one of Marvey's greatest pleasures. She has taught sketching classes for Elderhostel and the Chico Art Center.
Marvey Mueller's Events
- River Partners Restoration Art (1/25/2024)