Events

If you have never had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gary Ivey about Sandhill Cranes, you won’t want to miss this tour. Join Gary in a small group caravan around the delta to see cranes feeding in the fields. Meet with him at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve SOUTH UNIT for an orientation and then travel along Woodbridge Road to view the Sandhill Cranes. This roving tour will eventually end up at the Cosumnes River Preserve or other location to watch for the evening fly-in. If you are looking to increase your knowledge about Sandhill Cranes in a small group setting with the opportunity to ask questions, this tour is for you.

NEW – This is your chance to see one of the most unique wetlands habitat in the Delta. You definitely will want to see the “Black Hole.” Trevor Carlson will meet you at the clubhouse for an introductory discussion before loading a small bus for a tour of the grounds. You will see areas of habitat restoration that have been specifically designed for Wood Ducks and Mallards. Bring a sack lunch, if you like, and have a picnic after the tour.

In this introduction to Sandhill Cranes, you will learn about their life history, behavior, migration routes, and why our California Delta is so important to cranes.

Painting Kindness Rocks is a fun, family-friendly activity for all ages. Led by volunteers with the Lodi Rocks! group, you and your family will paint Kindness Rocks that can be placed in public areas for others to find.

Join Native Bird Connections for an intimate look at the behaviors, life experiences, and personal stories of several birds of prey. See hawks and owls up close and learn their unique stories. Native Bird Connections will bring several live, non-releasable birds - possibly a Red-tailed Hawk, Eurasian Eagle Owl, and others.

Click on this selection to see workshops available during the Festival.

Get inspired and join artists from the Lodi Community Art Center to create your own mini painting on canvas to take home.

Welcome back Denis and James Kurata, who will perform this ancient form of Japanese music that has been a Festival highlight for 23 years. Taiko drumming originated in Japan hundreds of years ago and is now performed all around the world.

Turner Road Vintners continues to be a destination highlight among Festival goers. Its innovative eco-friendly water reclamation ponds have created a natural habitat for a variety of birds. Wine tasting will be provided.

Obi Kaufmann, best-selling author of the California Field Atlas, is Saturday’s keynote speaker.  In his artful yet analytical work, Obi explores the transformation of California’s resource landscape, from its ancient origins to its modern challenges and future possibilities.  Heightened with lyrical prose and supported by well-sourced science, Obi demonstrates how we can learn from the deep ecological past to uncover truths about the potential future of California, including the Sandhill Crane and biodiversity in the Central Valley and California’s Delta.  

Join Headwaters Kayak staff for an enjoyable paddle along the Mokelumne River. The tour will be guided by a local kayaking enthusiast and naturalist, MEF Fisher. This is a great way to enjoy a day on the water while you learn about the flora and fauna found along the Mokelumne River.

Join Native Bird Connections for an intimate look at the behaviors, life experiences, and personal stories of several birds of prey. See hawks and owls up close and learn their unique stories. Native Bird Connections will bring several live, non-releasable birds - possibly a Red-tailed Hawk, Eurasian Eagle Owl, and others.

Dr. Gary Ivey will talk about the Sandhill Crane populations that breed and winter in California and the broader Pacific Flyway.  He will discuss the migration routes, wintering, and breeding areas of the 3 subspecies that use the state.  He will speak about their behavior and biology and also their conservation needs in the Flyway and the California Delta.

If you have never had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Gary Ivey about Sandhill Cranes, you won’t want to miss this tour. Join Gary in a small group caravan around the delta to see cranes feeding in the fields. Meet with him at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve SOUTH UNIT for an orientation and then travel along Woodbridge Road to view the Sandhill Cranes. This roving tour will eventually end up at the Cosumnes River Preserve to watch for the evening fly-in. If you are looking to increase your knowledge about Sandhill Cranes in a small group setting with the opportunity to ask questions, this tour is for you.

This tour has all the excitement of the other fly-in tours in the area, but visitors will be able to view the Sandhill Cranes (and other birds) from the comfort of a viewing shelter. Seating is provided and maps, charts, and pictorials are on display. Also, visitors will be treated to a presentation by Department of Fish and Wildlife docents.

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is one of the few locations where Sandhill Cranes consistently roost in the Delta. At dusk, in large groups that can number from several hundred to several thousand, the cranes converge on the South Unit’s flooded fields for the night. CDFW Docents will give a presentation on the cranes in a private viewing area. The cranes determine end times for evening tours.

Early morning fly-outs are special. If you have never experienced one, you won’t want to miss this. It is so peaceful at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve as the night gives way to scarlet colors in the east. The beauty of early misty mornings in the Delta are unmatched. You’ll be reminded of a Robert Frost poem. Sandhill Cranes begin their day as the sun starts to rise and you’ll want to be there to see it. Best of all, Dr. Gary Ivey will be there to share his knowledge and answer your questions. Depending on weather and the Sandhill Cranes, your group will also do some roving along Woodbridge Road to watch them as they are feeding.

Bring your binoculars and enjoy a leisurely walk on flat ground through the old growth riparian habitat at Lodi Lake Nature Trail with a local birding expert.

Painting Kindness Rocks is a fun, family-friendly activity for all ages. Led by volunteers with the Lodi Rocks! group, you and your family will paint Kindness Rocks that can be placed in public areas for others to find.

Gabe Kerschner with Wild Things! returns with some of their special animals for this fun and educational program.  In past years he has shared a mountain lion, brown bear, raccoon, Golden Eagle, Barn Owl, rattlesnake, and other rescued animals that could not be returned to the wild.  This presentation repeats on Sunday at 1:40 PM.

In this introduction to Sandhill Cranes, you will learn about their life history, behavior, migration routes, and why our California Delta is so important to cranes.

Get inspired and join artists from the Lodi Community Art Center to create your own mini painting on canvas to take home.

Join us in welcoming Paul Tebbel as Sunday’s keynote speaker.  What makes cranes so special?  This program combines video footage and photos with research results and personal anecdotes to introduce you to Sandhill Cranes and to help you understand how their physical and behavioral characteristics and their life history makes them special.  Paul has spent over 45 years watching, researching and learning about cranes.  This program is suitable for all age audiences, especially those just learning about cranes.

Join master carvers from the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association to learn how to carve a bird from wood. All the necessary materials, including a study guide and carving knives, will be provided.

Gabe Kerschner with Wild Things! returns with some of their special animals for this fun and educational program.  In past years he has shared a mountain lion, brown bear, raccoon, Golden Eagle, Barn Owl, rattlesnake, and other rescued animals that could not be returned to the wild.  This presentation repeats on Sunday at 1:40 PM.

Bats play an essential role in the environment and are often misunderstood.  Join Corky Quirk with NorCal Bats to learn more about these winged wonders: how they fly, how they catch insects and how they use sonar.  As part of the program, you will also meet several live bats, all native species. 

This tour has all the excitement of the other fly-in tours in the area, but visitors will be able to view the Sandhill Cranes (and other birds) from the comfort of a viewing shelter. Seating is provided and maps, charts, and pictorials are on display. Also, visitors will be treated to a presentation by Department of Fish and Wildlife docents.

The Woodbridge Ecological Reserve is one of the few locations where Sandhill Cranes consistently roost in the Delta. At dusk, in large groups that can number from several hundred to several thousand, the cranes converge on the South Unit’s flooded fields for the night. CDFW Docents will give a presentation on the cranes in a private viewing area. The cranes determine end times for evening tours.