The Sacramento River is a birder's paradise! Many public areas are accessible only by boat and are very wild due to the lack of car access. The Sacramento River is a major part of the Pacific Flyway and attracts migrating waterfowl to its waters each year and is also home to many endemic and annual species of birds like the rare Yellow-billed cuckoo. Join Lucas as he takes you on a guided virtual trip along the main stem of the Sacramento River both by boat and by boot.

Presenter: Lucas RossMerz

This year we will feature an eclectic assortment of interesting maps from around the North Valley and beyond. Get the bird’s eye view of our local landscape features. Stroll through maps in the CMFC hallway and let your curiosity take you on a tour.

Displays by State, Federal, and Non-profit organizations. Plus vendors selling everything from binoculars to bird books.

All 100 California winners from nearly 2,000 entries will be on display. Don’t forget to see the Chico winners.

Smokey the Bear and the National Wildlife Refuge’s Blue Goose will be visiting at various times courtesy of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Also be sure to visit the US Fish & Wildlife Service fire safety exhibit booth.

You can become a Junior Ranger by joining Ranger Zack Chambers for an exciting adventure on a short interpretive hike through the oak woodlands and riparian habitat at Indian Fishery. Participants will explore the relationship between the meandering river system and the ox-bow lake located at the park unit. Junior Rangers receive a Junior Ranger Log Book, a sticker, and the opportunity to earn many other awards. The hike is geared for children 7 - 12 years old but families are encouraged to attend. Meet ant Indian Fishery parking lot - West Sacramento Road and River Road. Limit 15 participants. To register, please call Ranger Zack Chambers at the ranger office - (530) 342-5185.

Presenter: Ranger Zack Chambers

Come see the Center for Reconnecting with Nature's display of raptors and falconry. Live birds will be present and the Center will be sharing about their mission, which focuses on reconnecting both children and adults with nature. The exhibit will be open from 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm.

Presenter: The Center for Reconnecting with Nature

Along with the Live Animal Presentations, Meet Smokey Bear and Blue Goose, Junior Duck Stamp Display, and Web of Life Activity, children may earn a Junior Naturalist Certificate by participating in a few activities designed just for children. There will be nature crafts, make a bird call and much, much more!

Birds use the sun's polarized light as one of their tools to enable them to navigate during migration. Come learn more about out magnetic sun. We'll begin with a talk and PowerPoint presentation about our sun, sunspots, solar prominence, flares, and coronal mass ejections. Then we'll explore light using simple diffraction gratings. Finally, skies permitting, we'll go outside and do some solar viewing using a safe, dedicated solar telescope.

Presenter: David Samuels

Enter a wolf’s world with "Stories from the Wolf Den" by professional storyteller, Tom Wade. People who spend time with wolves, come away impressed by their friendliness and playfulness. He’ll bring this side of wolves to life, sharing tales of their generosity, intelligence and uncanny intuition.

Then enjoy "Journey", the play, which is the true story of a lone wolf's travels into California is brought to the stage by Ecokinesis Dance Company and Crane Culture Theater. Poetry combines with modern dance and dramatic music to create a thrilling yet haunting depiction of this wolf’s odyssey. He faces a world of wonder, harmony, and threats. Immerse yourself into his life and see a brave new world through his eyes. This presentation recommended for age 9 and older.

Youth ages 8-13 are welcome to help us investigate the "Web of Life" that exists in a rice field. We will come face to face with plants, insects, waterfowl, and predators! Hands on investigations include: how an animal’s body gives clues to what it eats and how it survives; and how every plant and animal depend on each other for food and shelter. Participants will have the opportunity to build the rice field "Web of Life" and measure the impact of predators, including "man".

Presenter: Bill Smith

California is excited to celebrate the beginning of what could be one of our state’s most inspiring conservation stories: the return of the gray wolf, after being absent for decades following extirpation by humans. As a keystone predator, wolves provide a critical balance to the ecosystem in which they belong. To prepare for the return of wolves in California, the California Wolf Center is working to forge a visionary path for wolf recovery that focuses on solutions, instead of the conflict that often pervades wolf recovery elsewhere. No other animal in history has so captured the imagination of people than the wolf! Come learn about the true nature of this dynamic predator and what the return of this iconic species means to our golden state.

Presenter: Karin Vardaman

Snow Geese, Ross's Geese, and Blue Morphs - it can be overwhelmingly white in the sky! Come learn how to tell the difference between all these white geese. Through exquisite pictures and lively narration, you can become much more knowledgeable about our Mascot of the Festival.

Presenter: Mike Peters