Snow geese, among many other bird species, will be seen in Willows. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

WILLOWS, CA (MPG) - If you’ve ever seen the movie “The Big Year,” then you know how crazed serious birders can in their efforts to see as many different bird species in a single year as possible.

For the past two years, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture has sponsored a variety of outdoor experiences at no cost to local residents. The program has been made possible by a generous grant from the California Department of Arts and Recreation as part of its Outdoor Equity Program to get people outdoors and involved in a wide variety of activities.

Next up in our series of events is a gentle birding trip to the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge in Willows. Participants will be guided by an ornithologist, a science educator and an artist who will teach nature sketching and outdoor journaling.

Join the bird watching expedition on Saturday, Nov. 2. A charter bus to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge will depart from the Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture’s office at 624 E St. in Marysville at 8:30 a.m.

Every year, millions of waterfowl migrate to California’s Central Valley for easy access to food. Photo by Sue Graue

Next stop will be the Wildlife Refuge’s visitor center, followed by an easy two-mile walking tour led by our embedded ornithologist, artist and scientist. This will be followed by a six-mile auto tour including a stop for lunch, and an art session with artist Pam Nowak.

The bus will return to Marysville between 4 and 5 p.m. Please dress for variable weather, as this trip will be held rain or shine. It is recommended to bring rain gear if there is a chance of rain, mud boots or hiking boots if it has been raining, and binoculars. Pack lunch, but snacks and water, as well as sketching and journaling supplies will be provided.

For those of you who plan to drive and meet us there, we will meet at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge visitor center at 752 County Road 99W, Willows at approximately 10:30 a.m. 

All minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must pre-register for the trip at yubasutterarts.org. Also, please note, this trip is restricted to residents of Yuba and Sutter counties. The outing, including transportation, is offered free of charge. However, there is a $20 registration fee for all participants which will be refunded in cash on the day of the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Anna Newman at (956) 525-2031.

So, what can participants expect to see? Every year millions of waterfowl migrate to the Central Valley in California mainly for easy access to food. The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a hotspot destination for these birds. From October-January, there can easily be hundreds of thousands spending their winter at the Refuge. A few of the species recently spotted include Greater White-fronted Geese, Wild Turkeys, Sandhill Cranes, Greater Yellowlegs, Cooper’s Hawks, Redtailed Hawks, Egrets, Great Blue Herons and other year-round residents. Tundra Swans will be arriving any day.

The free bird watching expedition will take place on Nov. 2. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

Why is access to outdoor activities important? Nature is a public good that’s crucial for adults as well as children’s health and well-being. Scientists estimate that every $1 spent on creating and maintaining park trails can save almost $3 in health care alone. Additional studies show that access to parks and greenspace can increase children’s physical activity, reduce stress in children and improve academic performance.

Announcements about further outdoor art adventures will be made later this fall. Be sure to pre-register for these programs at yubasutterarts.org or call 530-742-ARTS (2787). There will be an online trip preparation meeting prior to each outing.