10th Annual Snow Goose Festival: January 22-25, 2009
Presentations/Workshops: Sunday, Jan. 25

They are one of the most beneficial, yet most misunderstood animals in the world. Learn more about the habits, habitats, and species of bats that reside within the unique ecosystems of California’s valleys and forests.

Presenter: Linda Angerer

Everyone is familiar with birds, but not many of us really know birds. Birds are the most uniform of all animal groups—all have feathers and lay eggs, many sing, and most fly. Colorful and tuneful, birds have been observed and studied for thousands of years. From cave carvings and Aristotle’s writings to today’s greeting cards, movies, and books, bird images and stories are everywhere. Come and discover fascinating insights and remarkable facts about our closest wild companions.

Presenter: Roger Lederer

This workshop is a great opportunity for educators, adults, and children ages twelve and older to learn about some of the world’s most exciting active earth processes. Participants will learn about the unique geologic features of their nearby national park and how to identify the four major types of volcanoes using a variety of fun and creative techniques. Educational props, volcanic rocks, visual displays, and other resources will be used to enhance this presentation.

Presenter: Steve Zachary

Lin Jensen, a Zen Buddhist, author, and birder will talk and read about how nature is telling us something we need to hear. Everything from a stone resting under the waters of Chico Creek to the birds occupying the canopy of sycamore and oak overhead have a story to tell. And it is our story, for it is nature alone, of which we are but one element that faithfully reflects the mirror truth of our human circumstance here on planet earth. We do well to listen to what the birds are telling us, for from such attention will arise a deeper insight into the common life we share with all creatures. Drawing on his years of writing about human society and nature, Lin will take us on a literary excursion into the language of the bird world.

Presenter: Lin Jensen

There are several computer programs that wildlife enthusiasts can use to keep track of their sightings. Bruce has tried most of them and can tell you the pros and cons of the most popular programs. He will demonstrate two programs - Wildlife Recorder and Pocket Bird Recorder. The entry of your personal sightings is easier than you think! Bruce can show you how to enter your bird sightings into Cornell's eBird system. Exciting reports can be generated to show you exactly when and where you saw each of the birds on your list - whether it was in your own backyard or anywhere else in the world.

Presenter: Bruce Webb

Local youth can make their mark on public art when you attend this workshop. Create life-size local birds in relief tile for the Annie’s Glenn tunnel at All Fried UP! You’ll will carve and sculpt wet clay into tiles which will fit into the whole tunnel design.

Presenter: Janice Hoffman, Owner, All Fired Up!

In a relatively short distance between Sierra City to Sierra Valley you will experience a variety of habitats that support bird species like Western Tanager, Evening Grosbeak, Black-backed & Lewis’ Woodpecker, Calliope Hummingbird, Townsend’s Solitaire and Black Tern. Mac will give you a snapshot of these exciting Sierran birds along with suggestions for identifying the more difficult to identify species.

Presenter: Mac McCormick

A photographic journey to the hottest birding destinations and most sought after birds in the Western U.S. Join professional birding guide Scott Huber of Big Birders as he shares his photos of past birding tours. In the last 3 years Scott has birded a large portion of the State of Texas, Eastern Nevada, and Utah, performed a bird survey for a private ranch on the New Mexico border, and led two bird-tour groups to southeastern Arizona. He has also led 3 group bird-tours to Nome Alaska and has birded his home state of California extensively. Scott will show photos of both the rare and the common birds of these top birding destinations along with providing how-to information for do-it-yourself birders as well as information on packaged tours to these destinations.

Presenter: Scott Huber

This is a repeat of the Saturday 1 pm – 2:30 pm workshop. Please see Saturday morning’s Worm Composting for Kids description.

Presenter: Kay Perkins