Butte County
Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation; Durham. Education & preservation center that is home to a remarkable variety of non-releasable endangered & exotic live animals. Promotes awareness & conservation of local wildlife. See bobcats, hawks, owls, leopards, white bengal tigers, african caracals, exotic birds, reptiles & much more. Open Tue-Sun, 9am-4pm. www.kirshner.org Located on Laura Ln., behind Durham Park. (530) 345-1700.
Butte Environmental Council (BEC); Butte County. Hosts the annual Endangered Species Faire each May (www.endangeredspeciesfaire.org), held in Chico’s Bidwell Park. BEC seeks “to educate & advocate for the land, air & water” through various outdoor science education programs. Visit the website for events calendar including annual fall clean-up day. www.becnet.org (530) 891-6424.
Chico Creek Nature Center; Chico. The official information center for the 7th largest municipal park in the U.S. Features non-releasable living animals & native animal species. Exhibits, children’s camps & workshops. Open Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm. www.bidwellpark.org Located in the heart of Bidwell Park, 1968 East 8th St. (530) 891-4671.
Feather River Fish Hatchery; Oroville. State-of-the-art facility for salmon & steelhead trout. Observe the life cycle of fish. Spring fish run: June; Fall run: Sept-Nov. Open daily, 8am-sunset. www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/hatcheries/Feather/index.asp #5 Table Mountain Blvd. & Feather River Crossing. (530)538-2222.
Feather River Nature Center & Native Plant Park; Oroville. The Feather River Nature Center is a monument to the Gold Rush era. Located on the South side of the river, constructed of river rock, the Nature Center was once a bath house for gold miners; it now serves as a place to relax by the river. Grounds open daily sunrise to sunset; tours available by appointment. www.cityoforoville.org Montgomery St. & Old Ferry Rd. (530) 538-2415.
Gateway Science Museum; California State University, Chico. The new museum’s mission is to create a life-long learning environment where families, school classes, clubs & friends can explore, interpret & celebrate the natural heritage of our region through science, research & education. www.ncnhm.org. Located at 625 Esplanade (near the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park). (530) 898-4121.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area; Gridley. Year-round wildlife viewing on 9,100-acre wetland area managed for wildlife. In fall & winter see vast numbers of migratory waterfowl. Special annual events, wheelchair access, restrooms, visitors museum, & paved trail leading to viewing platform. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/graylodge Located along the Pacific Flyway, 3207 Rutherford Rd. (530) 846-7500.
Shasta County
Coleman Fish Hatchery; Anderson. Explore the largest Chinook salmon & Steelhead hatchery in the lower 48 states in this northern California facility. The Hatchery is open daily for informative self-guided tours from 7:30am until dusk. www.fws.gov/coleman 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd. (530) 365-8622.
Shasta Roots & Shoots; Shasta Co. Program founded by Jane Goodall, inspiring youth to make a difference. Service-learning projects promote care & concern for animals, the environment, & the human community. Trail-mapping, pond & river surveys, planting songbird nesting habitat, annual Coastal Cleanup program & more. Ages preschool-college. Free. Schedule an event in your area. www.shastarootsnshoots.com (530) 347-1687.
Shasta Wildlife Rescue Hotline & Rehabilitation; Anderson. A non-profit organization that rehabilitates sick, orphaned & injured wildlife & releases it back into the wild. www.shastawildliferescue.com Call (530) 347-1747 about Volunteer opportunities for the spring, summer & fall. Tasks include feeding baby birds & helping teach older animals how to survive in the wild, giving animals a second chance at survival. www.shastawildliferescue.com. (530) 365-9453.
Turtle Bay Exploration Park; Redding. Underwater fish viewing & feeding, animal shows, live butterfly & birds exhibits, self-guided & hands-on science exploration, eagle cam, outdoor experiences & indoor & outdoor play features. Interactive multi-media exhibits & galleries. Apr-Oct: daily, 9am-5pm, Nov-Mar: Tue-Sun, 9am-5pm. www.turtlebay.org 840 Sundial Bridge Dr. (530) 243-8850.
Wild Horse Sanctuary; Shingletown. 5,000-acre preserve dedicated to the protection of America’s wild horses. View horses in the wild. Stay overnight in comfortable cabins; enjoy an old west campfire dinner under the stars. Adopt a Horse & Horse Sponsorship programs. 2- or 3-day trail rides. College Internships. Open Wed & Sat, 10am-4pm. Free. www.wildhorsesanctuary.org 5796 Wilson Hill Rd. (530) 474-5770.
Siskiyou County
Mt. Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center; Mt. Shasta. In partnership with USDA Forest Service, H.O.M.E (Honor Our Mountain Environment), provides the volunteer caretaking service of Mt. Shasta trailheads & Panther Meadows in lieu of visitor use fees. Family-friendly events, day hikes & campouts; annual ecology-focused film festival. www.mountshastaecology.org 418 S. Mount Shasta Blvd. (530) 926-5655.
Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery; Mt. Shasta. The West’s oldest operating hatchery raises trout to stock mountain streams, rivers & lakes. Free. Tours by appointment. Open daily 8am-sunset. www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Hatcheries/MtShasta 1 N Old Stage Rd. (530) 926-2215.
The River Exchange; Dunsmuir. Fosters watershed stewardship, education & experiences on the Upper Sacramento River. Offers family-friendly annual events, projects & field trips. www.riverexchange.org 5937 Dunsmuir Ave. (530) 235-2012.
Tehama County
Sacramento River Discovery Center; Red Bluff. Learn science in an outdoor classroom. Activities vary, from visits to research projects. Ongoing seminars, outings & classes. Located on the Sacramento River. Native habitat trails, 2-acre native plant garden & more. www.srdc.tehama.k12.ca.us 1000 Sale Ln. (530) 527-1196.
Shasta Roots & Shoots; Tehama Co. Founded by the Jane Goodall Institute, Roots & Shoots (www.rootsandshoots.org) aims to “foster respect & compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for animals, the environment and the human community.” Facilitated by a wildlife specialist, kids engage in hands-on activities such as nature mapping, habitat monitoring, & building bird & bat houses. For outings, class & activities info: www.shastarootsnshoots.com (530) 347-1687.
Other
ScienceWorks, Ashland, OR. Southern Oregon’s world-class interactive science museum features state-of-the-art exhibits, Science Live! performances, hands-on interactive science & arts exploration, & weekly art activities. 24 exhibits/3 sections. Wed-Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, 12-4pm; Summer hours extend to 5pm June-Aug. $7.50/adults/teens; $5/child ages 2-12yrs/seniors. Group discount avail. www.scienceworksmuseum.org 1500 E Main. (541) 482-6767.
