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Biographies

Keynote Speaker: George D. Lepp


George D. Lepp is one of North America’s best-known contemporary outdoor and nature photographers. His passions for natural beauty, technical precision, cutting-edge technology, and environmental responsibility are revealed in his beautiful and compelling photographic images. He is also widely recognized for his unique dedication to sharing his photographic and biological knowledge with other photographers through his seminars, writing and inventions. George Lepp is a leader in the rapidly advancing field of outdoor photography and digital imaging. He was chosen by Canon USA as one of the first members of its Explorers of Light program, which features the industry's most influential photographers. [Read more]

He is also the author of many books, including Golden Poppies of California and Beyond the Basics (I and II): Innovative Techniques for outdoor and Nature Photography.

George Lepp will be available for book signings after his keynote address.

Leader Biographies

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 veteran biologist advocating for wildlife from her office laptop. When she does get outdoors, her binoculars, decent hiking shoes, her partner, and four-legged friend Rango are her joy. She prefers organic, eats vegetarian, volunteers, and is a voice for animals, with a special place in her heart for great apes. Events:

David Arsenault

The Plumas Audubon Society is a small (200-member) chapter based in Quincy, CA where David Arsenault has lived since 2005. 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 in 1997 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 has been an avid local birder and served Altacal Audubon in various capacities for over 30 years. 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 since 2009. 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 identified more than 70 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 Curator of the CSUC Vertebrate Museum. Events:

Jim Burcio

Jim Burcio graduated from Humboldt State College with a degree in Wildlife Management and Biology. Jim carved his first decoy in 1974 and since then has 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. Since the early 1990’s, Jim has taught bird 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. Married to Roger Lederer, an ornithologist, she learned about birds and became an active bird watcher on travels around the world. In retirement, she returned to a childhood love of drawing and illustrated Dr. Lederer’s The Birds of Bidwell Park (2009), using pen and colored pencils. She is also the co-author with her husband of Latin for Bird Lovers, published by Timber Press in 2014. 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:

Chuck Carroll

Chuck Carroll is a graduate of CSU Chico and works as Natural Resources Manager at Beale AFB. He is a member of the Sierra Foothills Audubon Society, The Wildlife Society, The National Military Fish & Wildlife Association, and the Department of Defense Partners in Flight Steering Committee. Events:

Ranger Zack Chambers

Since 2002 Zack Chambers has been a State Park Ranger and is currently working in the Valley Sector of the Northern Buttes District, which is where he considers his home. Events:

Cris Cline

Cris Cline is an avid backyard birder and since 2012 has identified 46 species from her yard in Paradise. She became interested in birds while taking Ornithology at Chico State. For many years Cris helped rescue and rehabilitate wild birds. She now birds by sight and is learning to bird by ear. Cris is a member of the Altacal Audubon Society and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for birding with friends and family. Events:

Charlie Cornell

Charles Cornell holds a degree in Geography. He has birded in Butte County since the 1970s, worked for the U. S. Forest Service, and volunteered in Outdoor & Environmental Education programs. Living near rice fields in Butte County, he enjoys stepping outside at night and hearing goose music and Great Horned Owls. Events:

David Dahnke

Dave Dahnke has been actively birding since 1980. 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:

Jerry Dirnberger

While living in the wilds of Montana in the fall of 1999, Jerry Dirnberger, the internationally unknown birder and adventurer, heard the ‘not so quiet’ whispers of the migrating snow geese saying “head south, head south”. Since then he has spent his winters both in Colombia, SA and Chico (where he has homes) enjoying the friendship of the birds he has encountered along the way. 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 since 1990. Dugan has recorded surround sound in many national parks including Muir Woods, Joshua Tree, and Yosemite. He has published six “relaxation CD’s” of nature sounds with naturemusicdownload.com and a full-length dawn chorus from Mariposa Grove in Yosemite with listeningearth.com. Events:

Dan Efseaff

Dan Efseaff is the City of Chico's Park and Natural Resource Manager. He manages Chico's greenways, preserves, and parks including Bidwell Park. He has over 15 years as a restoration ecologist mostly along Sacramento Valley streams. Dan also teaches whitewater and sea kayaking and leads river eco tours. Events:

Steve Emmons

Steve Emmons has been the Wildlife Refuge Manager for Sacramento and Delevan National Wildlife Refuges (Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Willows, CA) since 1996. 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 a past Vice President and Treasurer of Altacal Audubon Society. He has been involved in the long-term monitoring of Northern Saw-Whet Owls at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve since 2005 and has held a federal bird banding permit since 2008. Currently Mike spends much of his time traveling and birding in Central America. Events:

Tova Fleming

Tova Fleming began birding in Northern California with her family before she could walk. She has worked part-time for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California State Parks in visitor services and environmental education since 2006, has an associate of science in natural resources, a bachelor's in English, and is a certified naturalist. She has a passion for mixing her love for story and language with place, and exploring how our stories and internal experiences connect us to the natural world. Events:

Matt Forster

Matt Forster 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:

Harry Fuller

Harry Fuller has been leading Pacific Coast bird trips for two decades. He frequently teaches bird classes for Point Reyes Field Seminars and other non-profits. He has led trips for Golden Gate Audubon of San Francisco to Malheur and the Oregon Cascades. He frequently leads custom trips in Oregon and Northern California.

Harry is the author of Freeway Birding, San Francisco to Seattle for birding Oregon, Washington and Northern California. He also teaches classes in the history of American ornithology.

Check out his blog at www.atowhee.wordpress.com and his birding website at http://www.towhee.net/index.html.

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 Ganzler 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. Henry 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 shown at the Chico Museum as part of its series on the Rice Fields. Henry was a member of the Avenue 9 Gallery’s Artist Guild until the gallery closed in 2014. He exhibits his photographs in various places in the Chico area. 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 since 1992 and has initiated studies with songbirds and owls. Birding, bird-banding, and enjoying hikes and the beauty of nature are some 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:

Timmarie Hamill

Timmarie Hamill holds a B.S. in Biology, a Secondary Math and Science Teaching Credential, and a Masters in Science Teaching from California State University at Chico. As a biologist, she has planned and conducted water quality inventories as they relate to fish and wildlife in the private and public sectors for over 20 years. She has served as an Industrial Waste Inspector for the City of Chico, biologist for the Department of Water Resources, Executive Director for The Stream Team, science teacher for a small Charter School, and most recently, project manager for stormwater education and water quality assessment grants. Events:

Linda Herman

Linda Herman is the General Services Administrative Manager for the City of Chico's Public Works Department. Events:

Wyatt Hersey

Bio to be provided soon. 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, California State Park Interpreter, and a Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust board member, and hike guide has been actively involved in the preservation of the Sutter Buttes since 1996. Events:

Scott Huber

Scott Huber has been leading birding trips for the last decade, from Mexico to the Arctic. Events:

John Hunt

John Hunt has worked as a natural resources professional and project manager for more than 15 years. He is a wildlife biologist and botanist with a Master’s Degree in Biology and certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). John is the Executive Director of the Northern California Regional Land Trust. 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:

Bob Joseph

Bob Joseph has been carving birds since 1985. Along with carving and painting, he has entered many competitions and received many first place ribbons, and several best of show awards. He enjoys bird watching, and is presently working with the Fallon, Nevada Wood Duck Project. This gives him an opportunity to actually hold many of the birds that he carves. Bob is presently the president of Pacific Flyway Decoy Association. 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:

Paul Kirk

Paul Kirk is the Programs Manager for the Northern California Regional Land Trust and has a Master’s Degree in Botany. Paul taught public school for 12 years and is passionate about environmental education. He has worked in natural resource management since 2003. Events:

Shelly Kirn

Shelly Kirn teaches conservation biology, ecology, evolution, and several other classes at CSU, Chico and is faculty co-advisor to the biology honor society (Omicron Theta Epsilon). Shelly has been birding for almost 25 years and enjoys traveling throughout the US (and occasionally beyond) to see birds and other wildlife. 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 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, Latin for Bird Lovers, and Beaks, Bones, and Birdsongs, a book on bird survival. Dr. Lederer has taught ornithology and ecology, consulted for governmental agencies, environmental organizations and schools, and presented hundreds of public presentations. 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. Dr. Lederer has traveled to and birded in nearly 100 countries, having seen over 3000 avian species. Events:

George D. Lepp

George D. Lepp is one of North America’s best-known contemporary outdoor and nature photographers and a leader in the field of digital imaging. He is the author of many books and the field editor of Outdoor Photographer magazine, where his “Tech Tips” column is widely read. His work is extensively published and exhibited, and his stock photography is represented by Getty Images, Corbis, and Photo Researchers. Lepp is one of the first members of Canon USA’s Explorers of Light and PrintMasters programs, featuring the industry’s most influential photographers. Lepp has presented hundreds of lectures and led workshops all over the world. A founding board member of NANPA, Lepp has won many awards for his work, including the Photographic Society of America’s prestigious Progress Award. First trained in wildlife and wildlands management, Lepp later earned a BA and an honorary MSc from Brooks Institute of Photography. His most recent book is Wildlife Photography: Stories from the Field, published by Lark Books (Sterling). George can be contacted through his web site, www.GeorgeLeppImages.com. Events:

Hilary Locke

Hilary Locke is a lifelong 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:

Christine Mac Shane

Christine Mac Shane has been painting for over 40 years and teaching for more than 12. Her easy step-by-step guidance will have you painting in no time! Christine has been a muralist in the Northern California region for over 20 years and loves that the rich wildlife and landscapes provide such ongoing inspiration. Www.christinemacshane.com. 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 has been an avid birder since the 1970s. He is the former co-director of the San Francisco State University (SFSU) Sierra Nevada Field Station Bird Banding Program. Mac has literally handled thousands of birds during the seventeen summers he spent banding. This intimate contact with birds in hand has given Mac insights to identification tips not always mentioned in field guides. Since his retirement in 2000, he has traveled the world bird watching in such exotic places such as the Peruvian Amazon Basin, Brazil, Central America, Australia, and Japan. 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. 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 a former Altacal field trip coordinator and has been active in Altacal since 2007. Events:

Gary Nielsen

Gary Nielsen has birded for more than 40 years in Butte county and beyond. A particular love are birds of open horizons, be they raptors or seabirds. Since retiring from teaching in 2007, he has spent more than a year in the seabird colonies of the NW Hawaiian Islands, including 11 months on Midway, among the 2 million Albatross. Events:

Michelle Ocken

Michelle Ocken is a graduate student at CSU, Chico where she is working on her Master’s degree in biology while studying Western Burrowing Owls. She is the founder and President of the Chico State Birding Club and is a member of Altacal Audubon Society. She also volunteers throughout the year banding Northern Saw-whet Owls and passerines. 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 as a consulting arborist. He has an Art degree from CSU Chico and has traveled the North State extensively. He’s been birding since 2003 and loves sharing his knowledge regarding tree resources for birds. Events:

Heidi Ortiz

Heidi Ortiz is local to Northern California. 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. She has experience working with the Chico Park Division as their Volunteer Coordinator. She has worked as an outdoor education instructor with Kids and Creeks since 2011 and Rancho Esquon since 2013. Events:

Owl Monitoring Team

Bio to be provided soon. 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 Audubon 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 has been the Wildlife Refuge Manager for Colusa and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges (NWR), part of the Sacramento NWR Complex, since 1999. Prior to that he was a wildlife biologist at the San Luis NWR Complex from 1992 through 1999. Mike enjoys providing quality habitat for wildlife and providing refuge visitors high quality recreational opportunities. Events:

Navit Reid

Navit Reid is a Partner Biologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Point Blue Conservation Science. She works with private landowners, agencies, and many partners to enhance wildlife habitat on agricultural landscapes. Events:

Caitlin Reilly

Caitlin Reilly has been the Executive Director of the Chico Creek Nature Center since 2012. Caitlin loves working in Bidwell Park every day. Her job gives her the opportunity to share the park’s wonder with local school children and help tourists from near and far explore. She is especially excited about working with more teachers through the Center’s new role as a regional Project WILD Training Hub. Events:

Michael Rogner

Michael Rogner is a riparian ecologist for River Partners and has worked on the Sacramento River since 2003. He has designed and implemented over 2,000 acres of riparian restoration projects throughout California and Nevada. Events:

Shane Romain

Shane Romain is passionate about the outdoors and outdoor education. He was the Supervising Park Ranger for the City of Chico for the past nine years and is now the Park Services Coordinator. He teaches Parks and Natural Resources Management at CSUC and is the Coordinator of the Outdoor Education program at Rancho Esquon. Since he created the program at Rancho Esquon in 2008, over 7,000 students have been able to experience the wonder of our wetlands thanks to the generosity of the Hofmann Foundation and the Community Youth Center. Events:

Marilyn Rose

Marilyn Rose is the owner of Out of This World - Discount Binoculars located in Mendocino, CA. 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 Interpretive Hikes and an enthusiastic ornithologist. He has been the compiler of the Peace Valley Christmas bird count since 1990. Events:

Ron & Nancy Sanford

Ron & Nancy Sanford have worked as professional travel & wildlife photographers since 1978. They’ve traveled the world producing images for a host of magazines, books and calendars, including National Geographic, Audubon, Time, Gourmet, Life, and dozens more. Events:

Miguette Sansegundo

Miguette Sansegundo is a life long professional gardener who moved to Chico ten years ago from Long Island, NY. The change in climate and vegetation type has been a fascination for her. Working first at the local native plant nursery to get her bearings and later exploring the area on her own, she has come to know the native flora in the area as well as that of her former seaside home. She is particularly happy to be birding in such a choice and special location. Events:

Chad Scott

Born in the North State, Chad Scott graduated high school in Redding before studying abroad in Italy and later relocated to San Diego to continue his studies at SDSU. After nearly twenty years in San Diego, Chad returned to Redding where he connected with the Wintu Audubon Society in 2013 and joined the board the following year. In 2015, he was elected chapter president with an interest in expanding citizen science, science communication, and bird conservation efforts in Redding and the surrounding areas of Shasta County. Events:

Christy Sherr

Christy Sherr is a retired National and State Park Ranger, currently working as a field biologist and Education Coordinator for the John Muir Project of the Earth Island Institute. She is a past president of the Sierra Foothills Audubon Chapter, and is proud that her ten year old daughter became a birder in a burned forest! christysherr@johnmuirproject.org www.johnmuirproject.org Events:

Bill Smith

Bill Smith is a retired Professional Forester who has resided in in Chico since 1975. He has a BS in Forest Management from Michigan Technological University and retired as the “Forest Silviculturist” from the Plumas National Forest in 2010. His forte in the Forest Service was large reforestation project logistics and Service Contract Administration. Notable accomplishments include serving on the Bidwell Park Commission, securing the three acre “Blue Oak Reserve” within Hillview Terrace Subdivision, and spearheadimg the design and build-out of Baroni Park, a Chico Neighborhood Park.

Bill leads a Chico Meetup Hiking Group and stays active in Community affairs. Currently, Bill is a docent at the Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux, in Vina, Ca., where he leads tours. The Abbey is home to 25 Trappist monks, and the property played an important role in California history.

Events:

Ken Sobon

Ken Sobon is an avid birder and has been a science teacher to middle school students in Oroville since 1995. 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 and sculpturing birds from wood since 1975. He has won numerous 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 instructs in the Association seminars, is an active competitor, and is a judge in their annual wildlife art show. Events:

Julee Spohn

Julee Spohn majored in Commercial Art in college and landed a job with Pacific Bell as a commercial artist drawing and lettering ads. That was in the 60’s, and it was a very exciting time to work and live in the Bay Area. Since her retirement, she has stayed active with her painting through workshops and classes and runs a small gallery, Julee’s Left Bank Studio, in Oroville. She gets the most pleasure from seeing the delight, frustration, and wonder of “new to painting” individuals when they discover that they can create and paint and have a wonderful time learning the path and finding their gateway to art. Events:

Ranger Matt Stalter

Matthew Stalter has been a Ranger with California State Parks since 2010. Over the years he has had the opportunity to work at a variety of parks, including Castle Rock State Park, Portola Redwoods State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. In June 2015 he transferred to the Northern Buttes District, he now works out of the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park office. Events:

Marty Steidlmayer

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

The Stream Team

The Stream Team is a non-profit organization whose mission is to gather useful environmental information needed to protect the ecological health of the Big Chico Creek watershed, while engaging the local community in effective watershed stewardship. http://www.thestreamteam.org/ 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 has been an environmental educator and classroom teacher for over 30 years. He is currently bringing "nature into the classroom" as a 5th and 6th grade teacher for the Oroville Elementary School district. He has worked as naturalist for the Yosemite and Headlands Institutes, Slide Ranch Environmental School, The Chico Creek Nature Center, The Audubon Society, Elder Hostel, and the National Park Service. 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 enjoys a variety of interests: birding; hiking; yoga; kayaking; painting; travel; local, national, and world affairs; reading; pickleball; and photography. As an educator of thirty-five years, she most enjoyed teaching science and expanding her young students’ educational experience through field trips. Fueled by her passion for science, she coached her students for the annual Nature Bowl, a fun environmental competition, with her students often placing very high in the final state competition. Since her retirement, she misses the youngsters yet has had more time to pursue her many interests, and she continues learning every day in new ways. 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 California’s Field Technician for Swarovski Optik. Events:

Greg Weddig

Greg Weddig has been recording and documenting natural soundscapes since 2003. 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 a volunteer recordist for Lassen Volcanic National Park. Events:

Keith Welch

Keith Welch is the Conservation Supervisor for the California Conservation Corps Chico Satellite, running the 3 crew operation since 2004. He has been employed with the CCC for over 33 years serving across the State in many capacities. Keith earned his Master’s Degree in Organization and Administration of Environmental and Outdoor Education Programs from George Williams College, Downers Grove, Ill in 1978. Keith has lived in Magalia, CA since 1992 with his wife Martha and their 4 children. Events:

Scotty Weston

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

Dale Whitmore

Dale Whitmore was a wildlife biologist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for 37 years. He retired in 2014 and continues to lead wildlife projects with youth organizations and the public on both public and private lands in the Marysville-Yuba City area. He can be contacted at 530 635-0046. 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. John is passionate about changing the way we garden to provide more habitat for birds, pollinators and all forms of wildlife. Events:

Lindsay Wood

Lindsay Wood is a field biologist who has conducted fisheries and avian research throughout the Sacramento River Watershed since 2010. She is currently the Watershed Program Coordinator for Butte Environmental Council and also teaches outdoor education. Lindsay has researched Aechmophorus Grebes, the Greater Sage Grouse, and migratory bird populations throughout Costa Rica. 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 Zachary

Steve Zachary is a Park Ranger and the Education Specialist at Lassen Volcanic National Park for more than 20 years. He is an avid hiker and naturalist. Events: