DFG News Archive

Autumn Features Variety of Wildlife Festivals

It’s Autumn, and monarch butterflies return to winter in Pacific Grove by the thousands, Chinook salmon swim upstream to spawn in the same waters where they were born, and Sandhill cranes dance amid the lush wetlands of the Central Valley. Happily, California provides plenty of wildlife festivals each fall to celebrate such wonders in nature.

Wildlife watchers have long been drawn to those festivals that offer wonderful opportunities to observe animals and learn about their behaviors and rituals.

“Wildlife watching is an immensely popular pastime with many California residents, and attending a wildlife festival only adds to the enjoyment of watching, learning and appreciating our wild heritage,” said Bruce Forman, Interpretive Services supervisor at DFG’s regional office in Rancho Cordova.

Wildlife festivals typically include workshops, viewing tours, kids’ activities, guest speakers, vendors, and tasty barbequed salmon at the salmon festivals.

“Watching wildlife is one of the fastest growing activities and it’s a great way for the entire family to get in touch with nature,” Forman said.

Upcoming Wildlife Festivals

• Oct. 8-10 - Central Coast Birding Rally - Caters to birders of all abilities, Central Coast Bird Trail, Santa Barbara, www.lpas.westhost.com/rally, (805) 925-0304.
• Oct. 10 - Welcome Back Monarch's Day - Celebrates the return of the Monarch butterflies. Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, www.santacruzstateparks.org, (831) 423-4609.
• Oct. 9-10 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 8th Annual American River Salmon Festival, Nimbus Fish Hatchery & Lake Natomas, Rancho Cordova, www.salmonfestival.net.
• Oct. 16 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Salmon Festival, Lee Fong Park, Weaverville, Trinity County, (530) 623-6101 or (530) 623-2907.
• Oct. 16 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 14th Annual Return of the Salmon Festival Coleman National Fish Hatchery, Anderson, Shasta County, (530) 365-8622.
• Nov. 5-7 - Sandhill Crane Festival - Includes field trips for crane viewing, Lodi, www.LodiChamber.com, (209) 367-7840.