Take a tour of California's fascinating soundscapes. We will enjoy a selection of surround-sound recordings from California's parks and wildlife preserves. A quick survey of nature recording equipment and brief ear training exercises will be given. The relatively new concept of "soundscape" describes an immersive appreciation of nature. Participants may wish to take the field trip that compliments this workshop, Beginning Birding by Ear on Sunday at 9:00 am.

Presenters: Dan Dugan and Greg Weddig and Sharon Perry

This workshop is an introduction to nature and wildlife photography, particularly bird photography. Topics will include discussions on exposure, lighting, composition, and the ethics of nature photography. Some equipment will be on display including film and digital cameras, photography blinds, camera support devices, flash projection setups, and remote control units. This workshop compliments the Youth Nature Photography Field Trip on Saturday afternoon and the Photography at the Sacramento Refuge Field Trip on Sunday morning.

Presenter: Steve Emmons

The elusive saw-whet migrates into the Sierra Nevada foothills predictably every autumn. Dawn shares 8 years of migration data from one of the few northern saw-whet owl banding stations in western North America. The banding effort, located at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER), east of Chico, CA, gives a glimpse into saw-whet migration annual demographics. The study revealed a few surprises, but leaves a lot of questions unanswered.

Presenter: Dawn Garcia

Become a Project Flying WILD Educator! Do you enjoy teaching about the outdoors and having fun? Do you work or volunteer for a locally based organization or group? Are you a classroom teacher or environmental educator? Flying WILD makes it easy for teachers to educate their students about birds and their conservation. Educators trained in the Flying WILD curriculum can engage children in bird conservation and gets kids outdoors! Flying WILD materials provide interactive, interdisciplinary, standards-based activities to help students understand the importance of migratory birds and their conservation. In this workshop educators will learn about connecting their students to the outdoors by participating in hands-on activities from the activity guide, which teaches basic biology, identification, and ecology, and bird conservation service learning activities. Great ideas, Flying WILD curriculum guide, snacks, and refreshments included. To see more, visit www.flyingwild.org or call Scott Huber at 530-342-1371.

Presenter: Scott Huber

Come learn about the life cycle of the Wood Duck; one of our shyest and most difficult ducks to observe in the wild. Why do Wood Ducks nest in trees? What are their favorite foods? What is "dump nesting"? Richly illustrated with many beautiful photos, we will take a journey through the annual cycle of the Wood Duck.

Presenter: Mike Peters

After 35 years, pro travel and wildlife photographers, Ron and Nancy Sanford, are working more and more with less and less photo gear. Ron promises to ‘show and tell’ how new technology has elevated small, inexpensive PHD cameras. In case you don’t know, PHD means push here dummy. He promises a lively visual adventure ... he’ll make the case, you decide! Warning: If you just dropped a couple grand on a camera/lens package ... this may not be your best program choice.

Presenter: Ron & Nancy Sanford

Here's an opportunity for glimpses into the mysterious Sutter Buttes. Travel through the Buttes without ever leaving your chair as you enjoy this fascinating slide presentation on the many facets and wonders of the remarkable landscape that makes up the Sutter Buttes.

Presenter: Mike Hubbartt

Lawns are wonderful for children to play on and dogs to run on, and the expanse of green is certainly appreciated in the heat of the summer. Lawns, however, use large quantities of water and fertilizer, need mowing, and provide little to no habitat for insects and birds. In this workshop I will discuss the nuts and bolts of converting a lawn to a wildlife friendly garden. We will cover methods to kill the lawn, with an emphasis on sheet mulching; how to change over the irrigation; design considerations; and plant choices.

Presenter: John Whittlesey