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: Historic Chico Cemetery - A Birdy Place - Sold Out!
$25 Adult; $15 Youth
Friday, Jan 24, 2025 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Meet at Chico Cemetery (Map)
Mostly birding by car and/or easy walking
Wheelchair accessible
Description
Chico Cemetery, with roots as far back as 1852, is a birdy place. With over 50 acres of beautiful grounds, it is quiet, has hundreds of old trees, water, and plenty of food for birds. Even raptors and owls are frequent visitors, preying on the pesky gophers and rodents that are plentiful here. Yet this remarkable piece of property in the middle of Chico is a storybook of founding fathers, pioneers, settlers, and everyday families who called Chico their home. Clark Masters, Chico Cemetery Tour guide, extraordinaire, will lead you on a leisurely stroll stopping several times at historical grave sites with stories of old. After the cemetery tour, Karen and Liz will walk with you throughout the cemetery to discover the birds that make Chico Cemetery their home.
Field Trip Leaders
Karen L. Smith
Karen L. Smith is a lifelong birder and nature lover. Five years ago, after attending the annual Snow Goose Festival, she moved to Chico from the bay area due to Chico's rich habitat of bird life and its location on the Pacific Flyway. She has traveled to Baja, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama and several locations within the United States to learn about birds. Karen currently co-leads a birding group with Newcomers Club of Chico and taught a Beginner's Birding course with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSU, Chico. She enjoys teaching new birders how to identify and appreciate the birds around them.
Karen L. Smith's Events
- Historic Chico Cemetery - A Birdy Place (1/24/2025)
- Upper Bidwell Yahi Trail (1/26/2025)
Clark Masters
Clark has been in the industry as a cemeterian and a funeral director for the past 17+ years. He became particularly interested in the historical significance of Chico Cemetery and it's residents as it became clear that there is a wealth of history contained in the records regarding the notables we have in our care. Clark has made it his mission to speak with families and learn their stories so that their memories will continue on as he shares them with others. The tours are entertaining, and he enjoys seeing people react as they learn more about the people that helped make Chico what it is today.
Clark Masters's Events
- Historic Chico Cemetery - A Birdy Place (1/24/2025)
Liz Webster
Liz Webster is a long-time festival volunteer has been a student of ornithology since childhood. She is a long time AltaCal member and co-leads field trips in Butte County since retiring in 2018. She has participated in local Christmas Bird Counts sharing her passion for birding with others. Liz enjoys watching birds everywhere during her travels as well in her backyard in Chico.
Liz Webster's Events
- Historic Chico Cemetery - A Birdy Place (1/24/2025)