Home :: Past Festivals :: 16th Annual Snow Goose Festival ::Biographies

Biographies

Keynote Speaker:
Scott Weidensaul, Renowned Naturalist and Author

"Living on the Wind: The Miracle of Bird Migration”

Since the dawn of human imagination, we have been spellbound by the migration of birds, in which even the smallest species traverse immensities of space the way we cross the street. New research continually expands our understand of where birds travel, and their migratory feats. But while the populations of many migratory birds are in drastic decline, there are many things we can do to save them. Naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul explores the wonder and mechanics of migration, and the simple, effective ways we can preserve them, from what we plant in our gardens to what we pour into our morning mug of coffee.

Scott Weidensaul is the author of more than two dozen books on natural history, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist "Living on the Wind," about bird migration, and "Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul." His newest book, "The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery and Endurance in Early America," was published in 2012. Weidensaul is a contributing editor for Audubon magazine and writes for a variety of other publications; he lives in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, where he studies the migration of hawks, owls and hummingbirds.

Bios

Ranger Jeremy Alling

Jeremy Alling has been a ranger with State Parks for thirteen years. Over the years he has had the opportunity to work at a variety of parks, including: Brannan Island State Recreation Area, South Yuba River State Park, and in the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Division at Carnegie SVRA. In 2013 he transferred to the Valley Sector of the Northern Buttes District where he works out of the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park office. Events:

Linda Angerer

Linda Angerer is a U.S. Forest Service wildlife Biologist and currently the Bat Coordinator for California’s National Forests. Events:

Jo Anna Arroyo

Jo Anna Arroyo is a Wildlife Biologist working for the US Forest Service since 2005. Her job includes advocating for wildlife populations and addressing ecosystem concerns. She participates on forest planning projects focusing on the protection and habitat conservation for wildlife species such as the California spotted owl. She enjoys watercolor painting, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Events:

David Arsenault

The Plumas Audubon Society is a small (200-member) chapter based in Quincy, CA where David Arsenault has lived for the last 10 years. As a career wildlife biologist, he has studied wildlife, with a focus on birds, throughout the western U.S. and the Americas for more than 20 years. David became involved with Audubon 18 years ago leading field trips for the Lahontan Audubon Society while attending graduate school in Reno. After moving to Quincy, he signed on as Plumas Audubon’s field trip coordinator and then served as chapter president for 5 years. Now, as Executive Director, David is leading Plumas Audubon’s science-based conservation and education program in northern California. Events:

Skip Augur

Skip Augur is publicity and webmaster of the White-Tailed Kite, the local Altacal Audubon Society's newsletter. Events:

Jon Aull

Jon Aull received his master's degree studying parks and natural resources in the recreation department at Chico State. He is the education coordinator for the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. Events:

Amy Darwin & Everett Ayers

Amy Darwin & Everett Ayers have lived in Paradise for 5 years. Even after backpacking in the Grapevine Mountains of Death Valley and in the redwoods along the North Coast, they still feel they've barely begun to see California. At home, they've IDed more than 60 species of birds. They hope to lengthen their list by adding even more native plants to their oak and pine landscape, and by continuing to improve their observation skills. Events:

Jay Bogiatto

Jay Bogiatto, M. S., teaches Waterfowl Biology and Wetland Management, Ornithology, Mammalogy, and Advanced Zoology in the Biology Department at CSU, Chico (CSUC). Jay also serves as Faculty Advisor for the CSUC Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association, and Co-Faculty Advisor for Omicron Theta Epsilon, the CSUC biology honor society. In addition, Jay serves as Station Management Advisor for CSUCs Eagle Lake Field Station, and Curator of Birds and Mammals for the Biology Department's Vertebrate Museum. Events:

Jim Burcio

Jim Burcio graduated from Humboldt State College with a degree in Wildlife Management and Biology. Jim has carved wildfowl for 40 years, competed nationally, judged at the three major carving shows on the west coast as well as the World Championships in Ocean City, Maryland. His work has been displayed at several museums. For the past twenty years, Jim has annually taught carving seminars for the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association. In 2010, and 2012, Jim was selected by the Ward Foundation in Salisbury, Maryland to be an instructor in their National Endowment for the Arts Grant. Events:

Carol Burr

Carol Burr, PhD, is Professor Emerita from Chico State, where she taught literature in the English Department for 37 years and served in a number of administrative positions. In retirement, she returned to a childhood love of drawing, taking oil painting classes. Married to Roger Lederer, an ornithologist, she learned about birds and became an active bird watcher on travels around the world. In 2009 she illustrated Dr. Lederer’s The Birds of Bidwell Park, using pen and colored pencils. Events:

Rex Burress

Rex Burress, a long time naturalist, wildlife artist, outdoor photographer, and nature writer, is retired from the Lake Merritt Refuge in Oakland. Events:

Dean Carrier

Dean Carrier has been a life-long wildlife biologist (his first bird book is dated “Christmas, 1943”). Graduating from Humboldt State University, he worked professionally for the Arizona Game and Fish Department and then for the U.S. Forest Service where he was responsible for a variety of endangered species work locally, regionally and nationally until his retirement in 1991. As a frustrated left-brained individual with right-brained yearnings (he couldn’t sketch a critter that looked like one if he wanted to) he found his artistic niche in photography which he has been active in for 45 years. He travels both domestically and abroad to pursue his bird photography habit and uses his images (and others) for PowerPoint presentations on nature and ecology for grammar school children in Butte County. Events:

Ranger Zack Chambers

Zack Chambers has been a California State Park Ranger for 10 years. His current work location is the Valley Sector of the Northern Buttes District. Events:

David Dahnke

Dave Dahnke has been actively birding for over thirty years. He has birded throughout the United States and Eastern Europe. Events:

Tim Davis

Tim Davis is a retired California State Park Ranger who has worked at a variety of parks throughout the state including Anza Borrego Desert SP, Emerald Bay/D.L. Bliss SP, and Hollister Hills SVRA. Local parks include Lake Oroville SRA, Bidwell Mansion SHP, and Bidwell-Sacramento River SP. As a Ranger he began leading hikes in the Sutter Buttes shortly after the State acquired Peace Valley and now continues as a State Park Volunteer. Events:

Michael Denega

Mike Denega, now retired, began his teaching career at Humboldt State University teaching Biological Statistics, Human Anatomy and Martial Arts. His love and enthusiasm for the biological sciences spread to El Dorado County where he has spent time since 1973 serving the science departments at Folsom Lake College (formally American River College) and El Dorado High School. Read more about Mike at http://www.mikedenega.com/the-photographer.html Events:

Dan Dugan

Dan Dugan is best known as the inventor of the automatic microphone mixer. He has been a technical mentor for the Nature Sounds Society for over twenty years. He has published six “relaxation CD’s” of nature sounds, so far. Events:

Dan Efseaff

Dan Efseaff is the Park and Natural Resource Manager for the City of Chico. He manages Chico's greenways, preserves, and some parks including Bidwell Park. He was formerly the Executive Director for the Yolo County Resource Conservation District, and he has worked for over 15 years as a restoration ecologist completing projects mostly along Sacramento Valley streams. Events:

Steve Emmons

Steve Emmons has served as the Wildlife Refuge Manager for Sacramento and Delevan National Wildlife Refuges (Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Willows, CA). Prior to his current position, he served as the Assistant Refuge Manager at Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge in Lake Arthur, LA (1990-1996) and the Fish and Wildlife Specialist at the Fort Carson Military Reservation, Colorado Springs, CO (1982-1990). Steve’s primary interests include nature photography (particularly wildlife photography) and observing birds. Events:

Mike Fisher

Mike Fisher is the treasurer of the local Altacal Audubon Chapter. He is an avid birder and licensed bird bander. Events:

Matt Forster

Matt is an avid outdoorsman and birder whose love of the land has him interested in conservation of habitat and restoration. He studied waterfowl biology and wetland management as well as ornithology at CSUChico. Events:

Marilyn Gamette

Marilyn Gamette has worked extensively with environmental education and wildlife rehabilitation. She graduated in 1963 from Chico State with a teaching credential. Since then, she has worked for California Department of Fish and Wildlife at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, the Durham and Chico Unified School Districts, and is retired from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. She is passionate regarding all wildlife and their associated habitats. Events:

Henry Ganzler

Henry has been an avid photographer and videographer since the middle 70’s, and studied photography and videography formally for several years at Butte College. His photographs have won awards in exhibits and contests at the Butte College art gallery, The Chico Chamber of Commerce, and an All Chico photography contest in the early 90’s. Karma started his own video production company, Mindful Productions, in 1990. He has produced travel, cultural, and educational videos in many parts of the world, as well as training videos for businesses, and the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health. His video “Wetlands Wildlife - The Sacramento Valley” was selected and shown at the 2010 Gallery 1078 Film Festival in Chico and was recently shown at the Chico Museum as part of its series on the Rice Fields. Events:

Dawn Garcia

Dawn Garcia works professionally as a wildlife biologist and is an active conservationist with the Altacal Audubon Society. She has had her federal bird banding license for 18 years and has initiated studies with songbirds and various owl species. Birding, bird-banding, and being in nature are three of her passions. Events:

Kurt Geiger

When Kurt Geiger is not on the trails with Kids and Creeks, he is studying and working towards his degree in Wildlife Biology. As a wildlife photographer and writer, Kurt has created native plant and animal field guides for Verbena Fields and the greater Chico area. Kurt is a proud father of two: Carter,11 and Madison, 10. Events:

Gaylord Grams

Gaylord Grams is an avid local birder and leads many field trips for the Altacal Chapter of the Audubon Society. Events:

Herman Gray

Herman Gray is a retired physician. While traveling the world in his profession, he has enjoyed viewing many bird species. He is also an active Gray Lodge Wildlife Area docent. Events:

Leroy Hord

Leroy Hord, local birder, is actively involved in the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Wood Duck Program. Events:

Mike Hubbartt

Mike Hubbartt, author, CA State Park Interpreter, and a Middle Mountain Foundation board member has been actively involved in the preservation of the integrity of the Sutter Buttes for over twenty-five years. Events:

Liam Huber

Liam Huber is currently enrolled at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California. He started bird-watching at age 5 and has become accomplished at bird identification by sight and by ear. He spends much of his free time…as well as most of his not-free time…photographing and exploring every inch of Butte County. Events:

Scott Huber

Scott Huber is the Education and Research Coordinator for CSU Chico’s Ecological Reserves. He is is one of two certified Project Flying Wild Facilitators in California. Scott has worked as a bird-watching guide, has conducted numerous bird surveys, served on the board of California Audubon and is past president of Altacal Audubon Society. Events:

Lin Jensen

Lin Jensen is a Zen teacher living in Chico, California, where he writes and works on behalf of nonviolence and in defense of the earth. Lin is also a birder, having served for seven years as sub-regional editor for American Birds magazine, reporting on the bird populations of Plumas and Sierra Counties. Lin is the author of six books, four of which were awarded Shambhala Sun’s Best Buddhist Writing in its respective year of publication. Events:

Phil Johnson

Phil Johnson has been a long time board member of the Altacal Audubon Society, and he has coordinated the Oroville and Chico Christmas Bird Counts. Events:

Steve Kasprzyk

Steve Kasprzyk was introduced to falconry in 1975 while living in southern California. He obtained his falconry license as an apprentice to Tom Savory and obtained his first female Red-tailed Hawk later that year. Through a lot of determination, hard work, and great guidance, he had good success and he was hooked. He later went on to fly other Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks. In 1979 he moved to Chico to further his falconry career flying Goshawks, Prairie Falcons, and Peregrines, all while raising a son and developing his real estate business. Getting the chance to have the time to pursue Falconry was a turning point in his life, and he believes that everything he has become is due to the people that he has met along the way. Events:

Raina King

Raina King spends much of her time on computers creating digital art. Birdwatching and camping provide her a great way of getting out of the house to enjoy the outdoors. Raina grew up loving nature and is the third generation of birdwatchers in her family. Events:

Steve King

Steve King became interested in bird watching about 40 years ago. He enjoys birding on his hikes and walks both in and out of the Chico area. Steve's favorite birding spots are Upper Bidwell Park, the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, and the Oxidation Ponds. In the summer months, you can also find him hiking and birding the many trails in Lassen National Park. Events:

Shelly Kirn

Shelly Kirn teaches field biology, ecology, and other classes at CSU, Chico. She is a faculty advisor to the honors biology student club (Omicron Theta Epsilon) and the Chico State Birding Club (CSBS). Shelly has been birding for 16 years and enjoys traveling throughout the US (and occasionally beyond) to see birds. Events:

Jesse Klingler

Jesse Klingler wears many hats in the outdoor industry. He teaches fly fishing, guides fishing and hiking trips, and helps to run a fly fishing tool manufacturing company. He’s also involved with land management and volunteers as a docent at Dye Creek Preserve. Events:

Mike and Kathy Landini

Mike and Kathy Landini own and manage the Divide Ranch with the help of their adult children Nicole and Tony. They are passionate about creating environments on both land that they own and land that they lease, which support the family and the cattle as well as the land and the wildlife. They also direct-sell their 100% Grass-Fed Beef at farmers’ markets, including the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market on Saturdays. Events:

Roger Lederer

Dr. Roger Lederer is Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at California State University, Chico. He has published over thirty scientific research papers, written books entitled Ecology and Field Biology, Bird Finder and Pacific Coast Bird Finder, Amazing Birds (in seven languages), Birds of New England, Birds of Bidwell Park, and recently, Latin for Bird Lovers. Dr. Lederer has taught ornithology and ecology, consulted for governmental agencies, environmental organizations and schools, and presented hundreds of public presentations to a wide variety of audiences. He has been contacted by BBC, National Geographic, Weather Notebook, National Public Radio, National Canadian Television, Vanity Fair Magazine, the Guinness Book of World Records, The Weakest Link, Real Simple Magazine, the Detroit Free Press, Voice of America, ABC News, and many other organizations and individuals for authoritative information on wild birds through his popular website, Ornithology.com. He also writes a weekly blog on birds for the Chico Enterprise Record. Dr. Lederer has traveled to and birded in 90 countries, having seen 3000 species, and lectures on cruise ships on ornithology and ecology. Events:

Hilary Locke

Hilary Locke is a life long nature lover who makes a living as a social worker. She has recently discovered that birding is a fabulous way to maintain her equanimity. Events:

Laura Lush

Laura Lush is a life-long Yuba-Sutter resident, artist, high school teacher, nature enthusiast, and avid birder. She has been active with Middle Mountain/Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust for over a dozen years, and is currently on the board of Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes. Events:

Ryan Luster

Ryan Luster works for the Nature Conservancy. Events:

Charlie Mathews

Charlie Mathews and his family have been farmers in the area north of Marysville for multiple generations. He and family members are leaders in the rice industry and waterfowl conservation. Events:

John "Mac" McCormick

John “Mac” McCormick is a retired high school biology teacher of 37 years and the co-director of the San Francisco State University (SFSU) Sierra Nevada Field Station Bird Banding Program. Mac has caught and banded thousands of birds that most people only hope to see. Events:

Lindsay McDonnell

Lindsay McDonnell is a fisheries biologist on the Sacramento River and teaches Middle School Math and Science for Wildflower Open Classroom. Lindsay was recently a member of Altacal’s Team Grebe and has researched avian ecology in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Costa Rica. Events:

Maureen Morales

Maureen Morales has been birding in earnest since 1984 when she was a ranger in the Inyo National Forest in the Eastern Sierras. Since then, she has worked and birded in Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier Bay, Denali, and most recently on pelagic trips in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. Events:

Mary Muchowski

Mary Muchowski has worked as a wildlife technician/biologist since 1988 with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and also works for the Butte Environmental Council. She has lived in the Chico area since 1983, and really enjoys the bird-life of the area, especially in the winter! Events:

Nancy Nelson

Nancy Nelson is the former Altacal Audubon field trip coordinator and has been active in Altacal for 5 years. Events:

Gary Nielsen

Gary has birded for 40 years in Butte county and beyond. A particular love are birds of open horizons, be they raptors or seabirds. Since retiring from teaching he has spent nearly a year in the seabird colonies of the NW Hawaiian Islands, including 8 months on Midway among the 1.5 million Albatross. Events:

David O'Keefe

David O'Keefe has been observing birds one way or another for most of his life. He has done work for Pt. Reyes bird observatory and has helped with bird surveys across northern California. Currently he is actively renaming the birds of the north state with the titles the birds themselves use. Events:

Joseph O'Neil

Joseph O'Neil is a Certified Arborist with over 30 years of experience in the tree and nursery field, working at Mendon's Nursery in Paradise for 9 years and currently doing QA tree reports for PG&E. He has an Art degree from CSU Chico and has traveled the North State extensively. He’s been birding for 10 years and absolutely enjoys it. Events:

Heidi Ortiz

Heidi Ortiz is local to Northern California, having grown up in Red Bluff. She moved to Chico for school and graduated in 2013 with a degree in Recreation Administration, with an option in Parks and Natural Resource Management. Events:

Ruth Paz

Ruth Paz was a member of the Central Sierra Audubon Society in Sonora, CA for 20 years. She has especially enjoyed participating in the Christmas Bird counts. She has recently joined the Altacal Audubon Society. Events:

Victor Paz

Victor Paz was a member of the Central Sierra Audubon Society in Sonora, CA for 20 years. He has recently moved to Tehama County and is now a member of the Altacal Sudubon Society. Events:

Sharon Perry

Sharon Perry has worked as an environmental educator. She is currently the chair of the Nature Sounds Society. Events:

Mike Peters

Mike Peters is the Refuge Manager for Colusa and Sutter Refuges, part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Events:

Navit Reid

Navit Reid is a Partner Biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Point Blue Conservation Science. Her job involves working with landowners to address agricultural concerns in a wildlife friendly manner, with a special emphasis on rangelands. Events:

Michael Rogner

Michael Rogner is a riparian ecologist for River Partners and has worked on the Sacramento River for 12 years. He has designed and implemented several thousand acres of restoration projects from San Diego to Redding. Events:

Shane Romain

Shane Romain received his BS from CSUC in Parks and Natural Resource Management in 2005. Since 2006 he has worked for the City of Chico as full-time Park Ranger. He also worked at the Sacramento NWR as a Visitor Service Assistant, and has volunteered for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program. He worked part time for Calif. Waterfowl Association, where he created the Outdoor Education program at Rancho Esquon. Since the creation of the Outdoor Education program at Rancho Esquon, and now through the generosity of Mr. Ken Hofmann and the Community Youth Center, over 3000 students have been able to visit and experience the wonders of wetlands. Events:

Marilyn Rose

Marilyn Rose is the owner of Out of This World - Discount Binoculars located in Mendocino, CA. Events:

Lucas RossMerz

Born in Chico, Lucas is a native to the region and shares an intimate relationship with the Sacramento River. As the Program Manager for the Sacramento River Preservation Trust he manages outings and float trips, organizes public outreach and gives educational presentations about the Sacramento River Watershed. Lucas earned a B.S. at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Environmental Management and Protection in 2010, concentrating his studies on water resource policy issues and hydrologic systems. Lucas is happy to be a voice for the Sacramento River, our largest and most valuable river in California. Events:

David Samuels

David Samuels is a retired middle school teacher who now enjoys spending part of his summers volunteering in our National Parks as an Astro VIP - Astronomy Volunteer in the Parks. He has presented solar viewing, star parties, and astronomy outreach programs in parks located in California, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Maine. Events:

Peter Sands

Peter Sands is one of the landowners of the Dean Ranch in the Sutter Buttes. He is a naturalist for the Middle Mountain Foundation and an enthusiastic ornithologist. He has been the compiler of the Peace Valley Christmas bird count for the past 23 years. Events:

Ron & Nancy Sanford

Ron Sanford has been a professional photographer for over thirty years. Along with his wife Nancy, he has traveled the world taking photos for hundreds of calendars and magazines, including National Geographic, Audubon, National Wildlife and many others. Events:

Tom Savory

Tom has been a licensed falconer for over 40 years. Besides flying and training falcons and hawks, he has been involved in breeding projects for peregrine falcons, helping to restore dwindling populations to the wild. He has also spent many seasons in public schools teaching children about birds of prey. Tom gave up his career as a building contractor in 1996 to pursue a bird abatement career. With his background of Special Forces training in the military and his acquisition of a pilot's license, Tom found his niche flying his birds at March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA. He was successful at clearing the airspace of nuisance birds to prevent damage to airplane engines. He expanded his services to vineyards in San Luis Obispo and Napa, California. He then went on and expanded his services to blueberry farms in Oregon. With his team of 3 additional specialists, he is continuing to expand his services for the protection of vineyards, farms, and runways. Events:

Mauricio Schrader

Mauricio Schrader boomeranged back to birding in the last decade, and enjoys all aspects as an amateur. He was first introduced to birds by his 6th grade teacher in the Appalachian Mountains. He has a special interest in birding by ear and behavioral bird trivia. His favorite quote is: "Most of us who follow birds are partly scientist, partly sportsman, and partly poet." Leon Dawson, 1923 Events:

Jackson Shedd

Jackson Shedd earned his MS in Biological Sciences from Chico State and has a deep interest in herpetology, wildlife ecology and conservation. He is also a bird-watcher, wildlife illustrator and wildlife photographer. Jackson has served as President of Altacal Audubon Society and as a Chico native he grew up becoming interested in herpetology, birding, and nature while spending a great deal of time in Bidwell Park. In 2005, he self-published The Amphibians and Reptiles of Bidwell Park, a local field guide. Currently, Jackson works for The Nature Conservancy in stewardship and land management between Dye Creek Preserve, Vina Plains Preserve, and Childs Meadow. Events:

Joe Silveira

Joe Silveira is a Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1990 and is currently stationed at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, where some of his duties include wildlife habitat programs at Llano Seco. Events:

Bill Smith

Bill Smith is a retired Professional Forester that has resided in Chico California since 1975. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Forest Management from Michigan Technological University. He retired as the “Forest Silviculturist” of the Plumas National Forest in 2010. His forte in the Forest Service was large reforestation project logistics which included planting a thousand acres a day on the Moonlight and Station fires. Other notable accomplishments include serving on the Bidwell Park Commission, securing the three acre “Blue Oak Reserve” within Hillview Terrace Subdivision, and spearheaded the design and build out of Baroni Park, a Chico Neighborhood Park.

While with the Forest Service Bill conducted many school programs including: tree planting, cone to seedling propagation, and the “web of life” in a forest setting. Currently Bill leads a Chico Hiking Group and stays active in Community affairs.

Events:

Ken Sobon

Ken Sobon is an avid birder and has been a science teacher to middle school students in Oroville for the last eighteen years. He has shared his love of science and birding with his students both in the classroom and in field. Events:

Bob Solari

Bob Solari has been carving wood since 1975. He has won several first place awards in carving competitions, and his work has been displayed in museums and galleries. An Honorary Life Member of the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association, he acts as judge in their annual wildlife art show. Events:

Marty Steidlemayer

Marty Steidlemayer is a Sutter Buttes landowner and rancher. Marty has an intimate knowledge of the Sutter Buttes landscapes. Events:

The Center for Reconnecting with Nature

The mission of The Center For Re-Connecting With Nature (CRWN) is to create pathways for all people, especially youth, to fall in love with nature. Creating positive relationships with the natural world allows physical, emotional and spiritual balance. CRWN promotes learning by having fun in nature, which counteracts the alienation caused by the indoor, virtual and urban worlds. Events:

Richard Thieriot

Dick Thieriot is a decendent of John & Abby Parrott who purchased Llano Seco Rancho in the 1860s. He is co-owner of Llano Seco Ranch, where he has implemented diverse riparian, freshwater wetland, ranching and farming conservation practices. Events:

Dave Tinker

Dave Tinker is a Biology and Natural Resource teacher at Corning Union High School and is very familiar with this area. He has been very active in this river area for the last 15 years. He has been involved in bird censusing, wildlife viewing, and the maintaining of bird nest boxes. Events:

Andy Tomaselli

Andy Tomaselli is an avid outdoor enthusiast, having spent his young adult life working and living in Yosemite National Park where he first became curious about natural history. He is a self taught naturalist, learning most of the flora and fauna of California from field guides. Andy enjoys fly fishing, backcountry skiing and has spent many years helping with local Christmas Bird Counts. Andy refers to himself as a "smart alecky laymen" and likes to call his self-taught natural history a "burden of knowledge" that he is more than happy to unload on anyone who asks. He has resided in Chico for over 25 years and has explored the Northstate extensively; especially obscure out of the way locations. When not birding or botanizing with his lovely wife, he likes to pursue his creative side playing and singing American standards on the ukulele. Events:

Scott Torricelli

Scott Torricelli is an environmental educator for over twenty-five years. He currently teaches for the Chico Unified School District. Events:

Karin Vardaman

Karin grew up in Laguna Beach, Ca. Her background is in Marine Science and conservation. She began her career working as the director of animal care and operations at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. In 1989 she joined the Ocean Institute (an environmental education & conservation center) in Dana Point and spent 24 years with them holding several positions including Senior Director of Maritime.

Karin started volunteering with the California Wolf Center in 2011 working in animal care and education, and was hired in March 2013. She currently serves as the Director of California Wolf Recovery.

Events:

Pamela Waldsmith

Pamela Waldsmith's profession is teaching while her other passions range from birding to kayaking, hiking, and photography. Events:

Bruce Webb, Swarovski Optik Field Tech

When Bruce Webb was a student at Chico State, he worked with Tim Manolis to write the "Annotated List of Birds of Butte County." Currently, he is the U.S. distributor of Wildlife Computing software products and is California’s Field Technician for Swarovski Optik, USA. Events:

Greg Weddig

Greg Weddig has sixteen years of experience in the professional audio industry, the last 8 or 9 have involved nature recording. He is a member of the Nature Sounds Society, a founding member of the Maryland Nature Recordists, and has taught field recording and editing classes. Greg is currently spending time scouting for recording locations near his home in Northern California. Events:

Scott Weidensaul

Scott Weidensaul is the author of more than two dozen books on natural history, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist "Living on the Wind," about bird migration, and "Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul." His newest book, The First Frontier: The Forgotten History of Struggle, Savagery and Endurance in Early America, was published in 2012. Weidensaul is a contributing editor for Audubon magazine and writes for a variety of other publications; he lives in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, where he studies the migration of hawks, owls and hummingbirds. Events:

Scotty Weston

Scotty Weston is the Operations Manager for the Olive City Agriculture and Nature Center. Events:

Dale Whitmore

Dale Whitmore is a Wildlife Biologist for the California Department of Fish and Game in Sutter, Yolo, and Sacramento Counties. Events:

John Whittlesey

John Whittlesey owns Canyon Creek Nursery & Design. He has served as the horticulture chairperson for the Mount Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society and is a graduate of the California School of Garden Design. His book, The Plant Lover's Guide to Salvias, published by Timber Press, was released in the spring of 2014. Events:

Mike Williams

Mike Williams is a life-long naturalist of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades. Prior to arriving at Butte College, he served as the Director of the Sedgwick Reserve in the Santa Ynez Valley. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington. He has published in breeding bird censuses for the eastern Sierra Nevada in American Birds and possessed a master bird-banding permit for many years. Events:

Rick Wulbern

Rick Wulbern started birding in 2004. Since then he has birded in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Hawaii, and Northern California. Joining Altacal in 2005, he has enjoyed going on many of their field trips and gaining knowledge from other birders. He looks forward to sharing what he has learned. Events:

Steve Zachery

Steve Zachary is a Park Ranger and the Education Specialist at Lassen Volcanic National Park for more than 17 years. He is an avid hiker and naturalist. Events: