California Nature Events & Festivals

Please Email updates about your event.

BIRDING EVENTS

JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER

JANUARY

Morro Bay Winter Birding Festival
Morro Bay - CA
January 18-21, 2008
The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival makes it a point to offer a variety of events for all levels of birders. Both local and state-wide birding experts will lead over 35 land, ocean-going, and bay field trips, plus discussions and presentations, social events and workshops focusing on everything from warblers to elephant seals. Field trips will include pelagic trips, birding by kayak, trips to see Sandhill Cranes and Bald Eagles, shorebird field trips, and the popular "Big Day" marathon field trip to see as many species as possible.
Contact: Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, c/o Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1175, Morro Bay, CA 93442: Call: (805)275-4143 or (866)464-5105 toll free Email

Annual Snow Goose Festival
Chico & Red Bluff - CA
January 25-27, 2008
Experience the sights and sounds of the Pacific Flyway migrating waterfowl at the SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL! A weekend full of fun, adventure and learning for all ages with field trips, presentations and workshops available to all. Contact: Snow Goose Festival, P.O. Box 1063, Chico, CA 95927 Phone: (530) 345-1865 or 1 (800) 852-8570 # 313 Email


FEBRUARY

San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
Vallejo - CA 
February 1-3, 2008

Mare Island, Vallejo, CA. Visit the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge booth at the Festival Headquarters in Building 897 on Mare Island. Meet the National Wildlife Refuge System's famous Blue Goose! Enjoy Mucky Marsh Music. Trips and workshops. Contact Phone: (707) 649-WING (9464)

Winter Migratory Waterfowl Tour
Chico - CA

January 1 - March 1, 2008
Winter Migratory Waterfowl Tour, some of California's best birding can be found on the farmland wetlands of Butte County. Best viewing Dec. - Jan. for a brochure about the the Winter Migratory Waterfowl Tours contact the Chico Chamber of Commerce. Contact Phone: (530) 891-5556

SAN DIEGO BIRD FESTIVAL
San Diego - CA
February 6-11, 2008
The San Diego Bird Festival offers a variety of trips, classes, and social events sponsored by the San Diego Audubon Society. San Diego County with it's bay and seashore, foothills, oak woodlands, and desert provides a rich wintertime birding experience. We have planned pelagic trips, trips to Mexico, and birding by kayak. This year's banquet speaker will be Kenn Kaufman.
Contact: San Diego Bird Festival, 4891 Pacific Highway #112, San Diego, CA 92110 Email

BirdSource Great Backyard Bird Count

Your backyard - any state

February 15-18, 2008 President’s Day Weekend

Winter Wings Festival
Klamath Falls, Oregon

February 15-17, 2008
Klamath Falls hosts this festival at the Oregon Institute of Technology, which celebrates the return of Bald Eagles and other raptors and wintering flocks of waterfowl to the Klamath Basin. The Basin is home to the largest concentration of wintering Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. Participants can enjoy a variety of field trips, workshops, mini-sessions, free family activities, and special receptions. Trish Nixon, raptor specialist for Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey, will give the keynote address on condor recovery. For information see their website or contact Travel Klamath at 1-800-445-6728 or 541-882-1501.

Salton Sea International Bird Festival
Imperial - CA
February 15-18, 2008
President's Day Weekend. Over 400 recorded species, you can see up to 100 species per day. Salton Sea features desert, wetlands, agriculture and great birding on the Pacific Flyway. Great food and fun.
Contact: Salton Sea International Bird Festival, P.O. Box 156, Imperial, CA 92251 Phone: (760) 344-5359


MARCH

AUDUBON CANYON RANCH’S BOLINAS LAGOON PRESERVE
Stinson's Beach - CA

March 19 to July 17 - Weekends and holidays only.

Hours of operation from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

See nesting Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets each weekend. ACR offers a wide range of nature activities including bird and wildlife viewing, hiking trails and picnic facilities. For more information: visit www.egret.org or call 415-868-9244.  

The Aleutian Goose Festival
Crescent City - CA
March 28 - 30, 2008
Choose from 80 guided birding, nature and heritage excursions, featuring coastal lagoon, river and ocean trips; more than 170 bird species during the weekend, and a coastal fly-off spectacle of 30,000 once-endangered Aleutian Canada Geese. Located in home of Redwood National & State Parks, Smith River National Recreation Area, and Lake Earl Wildlife Area.

Contact: Redwood Economic Development Institute, 140 Marine Way, Suite A, Crescent City, CA 95531 Tel:  800-343-8300 or 707-465-0880 EMAIL


APRIL

California Desert Nature Festival

Palm Desert - CA

April 11-13, 2008
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The California Desert Nature Festival has always been one of the most unique festivals in the world because it is organized and run exclusively by nature experts - people who know the area and can take you to places you never imagined existed in a desert. Now the Festival joins with The Living Desert, a magnificent zoo and garden that really puts the Festival in a class all its own. The Living Desert and the California Desert Nature Festival is having a PARTY FOR THE PLANET and you are invited. Keynote Speaker: Joseph Cornell: Award Winning Author of Sharing Nature with Children and soon to be released Listening to Nature. Admission: 3 day pass $13.50, or Friday, April 11, $11.95, or Saturday, April 12, $2.00 or free with a gift of used cell phone, Sunday, April 13, $11.95. Natural Science Collaborative California Desert Nature Festival - Mailing Address: 14080 Palm Drive Suite D #434, Desert Hot Springs CA 92240: Physical Address: Casablanca Studios, 66321 Pierson Blvd., Desert Hot Springs CA 92240, Office: 760-341-9312

Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival
Arcata - CA
April 17-21, 2008
Arcata, California welcomes you to the 12th Annual Godwit Days, the three-day Spring Migration Bird Festival where amid our ancient redwood forests, marshes and the Pacific Ocean, 450 species of bird have been recorded visiting here annually. One can watch Marbled Murrelets, have face to face encounters with spotted owls, and take small boat tours of Humboldt Bay to view migrant shorebirds at their peak. Nearly 100 birding field trips and workshops are offered in the heart of California's Redwood Coast.
Contact: Godwit Days non-profit Organization P.O. Box 894, Arcata, CA 95518 Tel: 800-908-9464 or 707-444-2938 Fax: 707-269-0632.

HERON FESTIVAL & WILDFLOWER BRUNCH
Kelseyville - CA
April 26-27, 2008
Heron Festival is a celebration of the Great Blue Heron return to their nesting sites around Clear Lake. Activities include pontoon boat rides to view the heronry and guided kayak trips to view birds on Kelsey Creek. Informative and interesting nature presentations are held at Clear Lake State Park along with informative booths, children's activities, and a Wildflower Brunch. Guided bird walks are available.
Contact: Redbud Audubon Society or call 1.800.525.3743


MAY

Kern VALLEY SPRING NATURE Festival  formerly Bioregions Festival
Weldon - CA
April 30 through May 6, 2008
The Kern River Valley is one of the West's premier spring migration regions including the Giant Sequoia National Monument, South Fork Kern River Globally Important Bird Area, Butterbredt Spring Nationally Important Bird Area, and Sequoia National Forest Globally Important Bird Area. The Natural history of the region and a celebration of Earth Day are integrated during this spectacular festival.
Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283

Yosemite Birding Festival
Yosemite National Park - CA
Early May
If you've seen the new California state quarter, you see it's a picture of John Muir looking at a bird in Yosemite Valley. Come follow in his footsteps, birding this amazing landscape while the waterfalls are full, the dogwood is in bloom, and the birds are at their most lively.
Contact: Yosemite Association, P.O. Box 230, El Portal, CA 95318 Phone: (209) 379-2321

Spring Wings Bird Festival
May 9-11, 2008
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Fallon, Nevada
(775) 428-6452

Walk on the Wildside

Freeport, CA
May 10, 2008 - 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge - Beach Lake Preserve

NAS Spring BirdAThon (800) 647-BIRD, EMAIL

International Migratory Bird Day

May 10, 2008


JUNE

Sixth Annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua 
Lee Vining - CA       

June 20-22, 2008
3 days of evening presentations, seminars, field trips, music, and great birding! Registration opens in April 2008. Events fill fast as soon as registration opens. All proceeds support continuing research in the Mono Basin. Contact: Mono Lake Committee, P.O. Box 29, Lee Vining, CA 93541 760-647-6595,  EMAIL


JULY

California Amphibian & Reptile Celebration
Weldon - CA
June 14, 2008
Visit the Southern Sierra's Kern River Valley to experience a sampling of the diversity of reptiles and amphibians along with the regions breeding bird populations. Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283


AUGUST

Kern Valley Hummingbird Celebration
Weldon - CA
August 9, 2008
The Southern Sierra's Kern River Valley is one of the premier migration routes for six species of hummingbirds, join us for a day of hummingbird appreciation at our feeders. Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283


SEPTEMBER

Monterey Bay Birding Festival

Watsonville - CA

third weekend in September
Pajaro Valley’s 3rd Annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival will feature expert-led field trips, guided walks for children, specialized birding activities for beginners and outings led by a bilingual birding expert. Additional excursions to the Big Sur Ornithology Lab and guided outings to see the endangered California Condor are also available.

For more information call the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council: (831) 425-1234 or 1-(800) 833-3494.

Annual Kern River Valley Turkey Vulture Festival
Weldon - CA
September 27-28, 2008
Visit the Southern Sierra's Kern River Valley to experience one of the U.S. and Canada's largest known Turkey Vulture migrations and the height of fall landbird migration at desert oases. You will enjoy birds, vultures, geology, botany, natural history, native American studies, moths, reptiles, and children's activities. Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283


OCTOBER

National Wildlife Refuge Week Celebration

Kern National Wildlife Refuge, Delano - CA

Participants will be offered birding tours, refreshments, information on the NWR System, the history of Kern NWR and the Southern San Joaquin Valley, learn about wildlife resources and offered Centennial give-a-ways.  Phone: (661) 725-2767 EMAIL  

Annual Hi Mountain Condor Lookout Open House

October 4, 2008

In the morning (times to be set later) there will be a botany & geology talks. Birding caravan from Pozo to Hi Mountain Lookout. Everyone arrives at the Lookout for lunch around noon. In the afternoon there will be talks on the status of the California Condor Recovery Program with astronomy talks at night. Hi Mountain Campgrounds 1 mile below the Lookout. More info to be posted in September at www.condorlookout.org

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WEEK CELEBRATION
Calipatria - CA
Bird walks, presentations, art contest, live animal display and environmental education programs.
Tel: (760) 348-5278
Fax: (760) 348-7245


NOVEMBER

Sandhill Crane Festival

Lodi - CA,

November 2-4, 2007

Viewings of the state's largest concentration of greater Sandhill Cranes; workshops, exhibits, children stories, dancing, face painting, live wild animals and fine art. (916) 683-1700, EMAIL  

Central Valley Birding Symposium

Stockton - CA

November 15-18, 2007

The Central Valley Birding Symposium Speakers: Ornithologists of International Renown. Field trips, workshops, panel discussion, and birding camaraderie.  (209) 369-2010,   EMAIL


DECEMBER

see the Christmas Bird Count page for December 14 - January 5 scheduled CBC's in California

Nature Events (Non-birding)

JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE      JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER

JANUARY

Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival
San Diego, CA

Point Cabrillo National Monument,
 (619) 557-5450
 


FEBRUARY

Migration Festival - Natural Bridges State Beach, Seacliff, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks

Santa Cruz - CA

Contact Phone: (831) 423-4609


MARCH

MENDOCINO WHALE & WINE FESTIVAL
March 1-2, 2008

Whale watching boat tours, walks and more. Art Fair, Chowder tasting, plain-air painters exhibit, the Coast- KOZT FM concert. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse events for kids and for all, from games and puzzles to whale and tide pool exhibits. Call (800) 726-2780 or (707) 961-6300 for more information on individual events.

 

Fort Bragg Whale Festival
Fort Bragg, CA

March 16-17, 2008

The 23rd annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival includes a selection of local chef's recipes of Chowders for tasting, regional microbrew tasting, an arts and crafts fair, a classic car show, and  more. Take a charter boat out of Noyo Harbor to watch the whales, or watch from shore at a state park. For more information, call (707) 961-6300 or (800) 726-2780


APRIL

Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival

April 3-6, 2008

Point Arena Lighthouse

Contact: REDWOOD COAST
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PO Box 199 • Gualala, CA 95445
email: info@redwoodcoastchamber.com
707-884-1080 or 1 (800) 778-5252

California Desert Nature Festival
Palm Desert, CA
April 11-13, 2008

EARTH DAY

April 22, 2008


MAY


JUNE


JULY


AUGUST


SEPTEMBER

Salmon Festival
Oroville - CA

September 22, 2007
Salmon festivities, non-profit information and food booths and salmon at the hatchery, crafts and vendors in downtown, special events at the Nature Center, Art Show at State Theater. Wonderful family fun.  Historic Downtown Oroville, Bird & Myers Streets
Oroville, CA 95965 Contact Phone: (530) 538-2542


OCTOBER

Kokanee Salmon Festival

Lake Tahoe - CA

Taylor Creek Visitor Center. Contact Phone: (530) 573-2611

American River Salmon Festival

Rancho Cordova - CA

Nimbus Fish Hatchery and Lake Natoma


NOVEMBER

Tours of the Monarch Butterfly Grove - Natural Bridges State Beach
Santa Cruz - CA
Saturdays & Sundays.                      Join a docent naturalist & see thousands of monarch butterflies wintering in Santa Cruz. 11am & 2pm weekends, through Feb 12. Phone: (831) 423-4609


DECEMBER


for other California events see:

CALIFORNIA WATCHABLE WILDLIFE

Nature Alley • P.O. Box 153 • Weldon, CA 93283 • (760) 378-2029 • Email
Copyright 1998-2008 by Nature Ali. All rights reserved.