COVER
CELEBRATING WINTER BIRDS AND COMMUNITY The City of Galt, in collaboration with the Cosumnes River Preserve and Galt Joint Union Elementary School District, is pleased to bring you the 17th Annual Galt Winter Bird Festival. Our festival guests will enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Cosumnes River Preserve and the incredible opportunity to catch sightings of waterfowl, shorebirds and wildlife in their winter habitat. For the first time, there will be a week of activities to enhance community involvement and education, and as traditionally expected, all of the celebration will lead to a culminating day of events that focus on winter birds and wildlife in general. Festival headquarters will provide a starting point for exclusive preserve tours, educational presentations, and more. All are welcome to enjoy animal exhibits, art displays, hands-on activities and speaking engagements throughout the day at Chabolla Community Center and nearby preserves. This is a celebration you are sure to enjoy. Sincerely,
Jackie Garcia, Special Events & Market Manager
Parks & Recreation Department
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE 2024 WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS • City of Galt • Kathleen S. Amos, Family Law Attorney • Bill Beckett, Galt Joint Union Elementary School District • John Durand, Galt Joint Union Elementary School District • Jacquie Hill, Community Member • Madeline Hill, Sacramento County Regional Parks, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator • Mari Martinez, Community Member • Mike Savino, Founding Member of Save Our Sandhill Cranes • Amber Veselka, Sacramento County Regional Parks, Recreation Supervisor
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Galt Winter Bird Festival
A Full Week Week of
WINTER BIRD ACTIVITIES BACKYARD BIRD SAFARI
Mike and Annette Heacox, Luciole Design Inc. Monday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. Location: Chabolla Center, 610 Chabolla Avenue, Galt Free Event; Preferred Registration at www.cityofgalt.org Mike and Annette Heacox, architects based in Sacramento, return with more secrets on how to design your ultimate bird/wildlife garden. Learn about bird species that have a preference for taking baths in the summer season and create a simple water feature for them to enjoy. Discover how to attract birds year-round with the right mix of low water plants - and so much more!
HONK, HONK! A STORY OF MIGRATION Tuesday, January 30, at 10:00 a.m. Location: TBA Free Event
Families with children of all ages are welcome to join us for an energetic, engaging, and fun story time at the Galt Public Library. Join us for this wonderful story about a girl who takes a journey with a wild goose, and her flock, as they migrate to their nesting grounds in the distant snowy north.
GROWING BIRD FRIENDLY PLANTS Tuesday, January 30, at 10:30 a.m. Location: TBA Free Event
Growing bird-friendly native plants is a great way for kids of all ages to learn about gardening and birds in our area. This activity involves making your own pot for starting seeds and then having the joy of watching seeds sprout and grow into mature plants over time. These plants not only attract and protect the birds you love, they also make your space beautiful.
Galt Winter Bird Festival
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BIRD TRIVIA NIGHT
Barsetti Vineyard Wednesday, January 31, at 6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Location: Barsetti Vineyard Tasting Room, 400 4th St #150, Galt Suggested Donation $10 Per Person; Proceeds benefit the Winter Bird Festival Preferred Registration at www.cityofgalt.org, Participant Max: 50 Join us for en evening of Trivia and put your knowledge to the test with all things bird! Trivia questions will be a wide range of nature subject areas such as birds, habits, environment and more! Pre-registration is encouraged for singles or teams up to 4 players. Tickets will also be available for purchase day of the event. Prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 Teams! Game is 90 Minutes
Welcome to My Bird Nest & Wine Night
Mavery Designs Thursday, February 1, at 6:00 p.m. Location: Chabolla Center, 610 Chabolla Avenue $45 Per Person, Participant Max: 25; Registration Required at www.cityofgalt.org Come paint, sip, and create your own door hanger with Mavery design! This workshop features a beautiful bird “Welcome” wooden sign that you can display on your front door. A glass of wine and all supplies will be provided with a purchase of a ticket. Additional beverages are available for purchase by Papas & Wings.
BREAKFAST WITH BIRDS AND NATURE JOURNALING
Cosumnes River Preserve and City of Galt’s Park & Recreation Department Friday, February 2, at 9:00a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Location: 13501 Franklin Blvd, Galt $25 Per Person, Participant Max: 20; Registration Required at www.cityofgalt.org Join Preserve docents for breakfast with birds and nature journaling at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Participants will enjoy a continental breakfast provided by Galt’s Department of Park and Recreation before heading out for a 1-hour nature journaling experience. The walking tour allows for a bird watching and learning about nature journaling and the benefits it has for your nature exploration and mindfulness. Please bring your binoculars, notebook, pencils and pens. Single color sketches are easiest on this tour.
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Galt Winter Bird Festival
Kate Rutter
Michele Dodge
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Kate Rutter is an avid nature journaler, urban naturalist, educator, and bird enthusiast who enlivens naturehuman connection through sketching, observation, and curiosity. A lifelong sketcher with an experimental and rambunctious visual practice, Kate’s education work spans nature journal workshops at public and private gardens and nurseries, online teaching, corporate and nonprofit trainings and conferences, and serving as adjunct professor at the California College of the Arts.
Michele Dodge is a wildlife rescuer and wildlife photographer, she has won several awards for her photography, and her love of our wild neighbors is infectious!
Kate is a Certified California Naturalist, a board member of the Wild Wonder Foundation, has illustrated three books, and holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Wellesley College. When not teaching, she can be found wandering Oakland, CA on the lookout for Black-crowned night herons.
She brings a lively presentation to the Galt Winter Bird Festival sharing an intimate insight into the lives of birds in the Sacramento Valley throughout the seasons. The Great Pacific Flyway is an amazing north-south migration pattern, and the Sacramento Valley is an important stopping point for so many species of birds. Michele’s visual presentation is one you won’t want to miss.
We are pleased to welcome Kate Rutter as one of the keynote speakers of the 2024 Galt Winter Bird Festival as a well known journalist. She will share how nature journaling a Black-crowned night heron opened her path from bird-curious to bird enthusiast. Galt Winter Bird Festival
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Culminating Day
WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 | 9 A.M. - 3 P.M. CHABOLLA CENTER, 600 Chabolla Avenue PRESENTATIONS 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
GOING BATTY, Corky Quirk
10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. HAWKS, HONKERS AND HOOTS, Kelli Moulden 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. CONSERVATION AMBASSADORS, Gabriel Kerschner
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
EXPRESSIVE BIRDING, Kate Rutter, Keynote Speaker
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR, Michele Dodge, Keynote Speaker
GOING BATTY Corky Quirk, Program Director, Yolo Basin Foundation, invites you to get a close-up view of bats and learn about the importance of inviting them to your yard or farm! With years of experience, Corky will delight you with her extensive bat knowledge!
HAWKS, HONKERS AND HOOTS Director Kelli Moulden’s mission is to inspire respect for local and migratory birds through customized and entertaining educational programs. Enjoy a fantastic opportunity to see and experience hawks, owls, and water birds up close and personal. Yes, the birds are coming to visit!
CONSERVATION AMBASSADORS Back by popular demand, Gabriel Kerschner brings the message of conservation and appreciation for nature’s creatures. He will share how wild creatures that have sustained injuries or were kept as illegal pets, were prevented from surviving in the wild. Learn about each one’s special place on our earth and why they should be respected and how they should be enjoyed.
EXPRESSIVE BIRDING: CELEBRATING BIRDS WITH A NATURE JOURNAL Keynote speaker, Kate Rutter, will share how journaling can enhance your birding experiences and open up new ways to celebrate and learn about the joy of birds.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF THE GREAT PACIFIC FLYWAY Join Michele Dodge for an intimate insight into the lives of birds in the Sacramento Valley throughout the seasons. Learn about some of the birds, and enjoy beautiful photographs of the various year around and migrating residents right here in our own “backyard”. 6
Galt Winter Bird Festival
All Day Fun 9 A.M. - 2 P.M. Chabolla Community Center
• Youth Art Display • Art Photo Exhibit • Educational Booths • Shopping • Food Vendors • and More!
Galt Winter Bird Festival
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Weekend Tours
WINTER BIRD EDUCATION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 EXPERT LED TOURS - OFF SITE LOCATIONS TOUR SCHEDULE AND DESCRIPTIONS SATURDAY
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Tour 1 GUIDED PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
SATURDAY
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tour 2 CAL-WASTE RECOVERY SYSTEMS MRF TOUR
SATURDAY
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tour 3 BLUE HERON TRAILS
SATURDAY
2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tour 4 BEHIND LOCKED GATES, TRACKS & SCAT WALK
SATURDAY
3:30 p.m. - Sunset
Tour 5 STATEN ISLAND SUNSET TOURS
9 a.m - 11 a.m.
Tour 1 FAMILY FUN AT COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Tour 2 WORKSHOP AT COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE
SUNDAY* SUNDAY*
GUIDED PHOTOGRAPHY, Tour 1 If you want to enhance your photography skills while capturing birds along the Pacific Flyway, this is the tour for you. Join Jim Dunn, a professional wildlife photographer, and volunteer, for a two-hour guided photography tour at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Participants will get the opportunity to go behind locked gates and learn about the Preserve’s native flora and fauna while discussing equipment options for wildlife photography and picking up some skills to get great photos. To see some of Jim Dunn’s work visit: www.avian-images.com. 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Meet Location: Cosumnes River Preserve Farm Center, 7300 Desmond Road, Galt $10 Per Person; Pre Registration Required with Galt Parks & Rec. Participant Max: 15
CAL-WASTE RECOVERY SYSTEMS MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY, Tour 2 Take a guided tour through our Materials Recovery Facility. See what we do and how we do it. Each day we recover discarded natural resources destined for landfills, conserve natural resources, create new jobs, and reduce local carbon footprint. Our goal is to preserve our environment and build a better future for our community and the lands and waterways that surround it. Good for all ages. Kids’ activity will be included during your visit. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Meet Location: Cal-Waste Facility; 175 Enterprise Court, Galt Free; Pre-registration Required with Galt Parks & Rec. Participant Max: 30 8
Galt Winter Bird Festival
BLUE HERON TRAILS, Tour 3 Trail consists of a 2 mile (roundtrip) flat gravel and dirt road in a normally restricted area. The walk goes near managed wetlands hosting various migrants such as hawks, shorebirds, Sandhill cranes and waterfowl. The path may be muddy if it has been raining or foggy. There will be little shade as you walk, so please be prepared for being exposed to the sun. A non-flush restroom is available in the parking lot before your walk; there is NO restroom available during the walk. Children welcome, but dogs/pets must stay at home. This is a great opportunity for viewing wildlife from a distance; you are welcome to bring binoculars and a camera. This is a slower paced, relaxed walk for viewing wildlife, so please intend to stay with the guide. Remember, the wildlife is sharing the refuge with us, so please respect their home and minimize disturbance. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Meet Location: Stone Lakes, 1624 Hood Franklin Road, Elk Grove Free; Pre-registration Required with Galt Parks & Rec. Participant Max: 15
BEHIND LOCKED GATES TRACKS AND SCAT WALK, Tour 4 Join Preserve docents on a family-friendly walk at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Learn about ways to identify animal tracks and scat! One of the best ways to know who and what has been on a trail before you, is by learning how to identify what is left behind. On this guided tour, you’ll learn about common wildlife found in the Preserve and how to identify them when they aren’t around. Bring a pen, notepad, and binoculars, and get ready to learn! 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meet Location: Cosumnes River Preserve Farm Center, 7300 Desmond Road, Galt $15 Per Person; Pre-registration Required with Galt Parks & Rec. Participant Max: 15
STATEN ISLAND SUNSET, Tour 5 Join a Wildlife Biologist as they discuss the management practices of Conservation Farms and Ranches. Watch the breathtaking sight of hundreds of cranes flying in to roost for the night. You will learn about the habitats of the cranes, why the Staten Island open wetland environment is preferred by these magnificent birds, and what we all can do to preserve their winter home. 3:30 p.m. to Sunset Meet Location: 24734 N. Staten Island Road, Thornton $20 Per Person; Pre Registration Required with Galt Parks & Rec. Participant Max: 44
FAMILY FUN AT COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE, Tour 1, SUNDAY Are you interested in learning about the Cosumnes River Preserve’s native flora and fauna while enjoying a family fun walk along the trails well this tour is for you. Join Preserve docents on a two-hour guided walk along the Cosumnes River Preserve River Walk Trail. Participants will get the opportunity to learn about the native plants and animals that can be found at the Preserve. Come prepared to have fun! 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Meet Location: Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center, 13501 Franklin Blvd., Galt $15 Per Person; Pre Registration Required with Galt Parks & Rec. Participant Max: 15
Galt Winter Bird Festival
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NATURE JOURNALING AT COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE, Tour 2, SUNDAY Bring your love of birds to a whole new level with a nature journal. Nature journaling is the act of putting pen (or pencil) to paper to observe aspects of nature with curiosity and attention. It’s a magical blend of science and art that leads to curiosity, wonder, and a deep connectedness with the living world. At this in-the-field workshop, you’ll learn simple tricks and tips to observe and document birds (their sights, sounds, and behaviors). Using basic and accessible tools and techniques, we’ll focus on an active experience and visually expressing our curiosity about birds. All age levels and skill levels welcome. 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Meet Location: Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center, 13501 Franklin Blvd., Galt $20 Per Person; Pre Registration Required with Galt Parks & Rec. Participant Max: 20
REGISTER FOR TOURS AT WWW.CITYOFGALT.ORG
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Galt Winter Bird Festival
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS OF THE 2024 WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR ART EXHIBITORS AND VENDORS. We appreciate that you shared your skills, talent, creativity, information, and products at our festival. We appreciate you. Galt Winter Bird Festival
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Galt Winter Bird Festival