City of Chico, Parks Division, PALS Volunteers

Stewardship Saturdays is a new City of Chico volunteer activity designed to connect the community with the natural resources and history of our area. Held on Saturdays, each event is led by a local expert in fields such as ecology, botany, wildlife, and regional history. Community members are invited to join these hands-on opportunities to learn about the flora, fauna, and cultural landscape that make our parks and open spaces so special. Stewardship Saturdays provide a chance to deepen appreciation for our local environment while helping care for the places that make Chico unique.

Beginner’s Bird Walk, Yahi Trail, Upper Bidwell Park

Sat, March 28, 8-12 about 3-4 miles slow walking, mostly flat.

Birds are our most easily observed wildlife, and there are 165 species documented in Bidwell Park. Big Chico Creek is an active floodplain and wildlife corridor from the valley to the mountains, and spring is a great chance to catch neo-tropical migrants such as warblers as they pass through Chico. We may see a yellow-breasted chat, or an elusive yellow-headed acorn woodpecker. This is a great opportunity for beginners to learn common birds also. We will have binoculars to borrow on request, please let us know in advance if you need them. You may see species you’ve never noticed before and discover a new way to connect with wildlife and the natural world.

 
Led by Jon Aull, the Outdoor Education Coordinator for California State University, Chico's Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. He has been a naturalist around Chico since the turn of the millennium, designing and implementing environmental education programs for all ages. He received a master's degree from CSUC in Parks and Natural Resources. Among his accomplishments are curation of and contribution to temporary and permanent science museum exhibits, authoring a local guide to wildflowers, and involvement in citizen science projects involving birds, butterflies, and plants.

 
Please meet at the Monkey Face Parking lot (parking lot E) in Bidwell Park at 8:00 AM. We will hike to Yahi Trail from there. Bring water, snacks, sun protection and binoculars if you have them. Your RSVP acknowledges that you have read, understand and agree to the terms as described in the attached City of Chico release of liability. Participants under the age of 18 are required to have a guardian present and complete the attached volunteer application and submit before the event. We love dogs but please leave them home for this event. For more information email lindsay.amundson@chicoca.gov