Presentations

The LSCA welcomes everyone to the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival with a reception and awards ceremony. Light snacks and wine tasting are included. An awards ceremony will recognize individuals who have contributed to Sandhill Crane conservation and environmental protection.

Each fall and winter, thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrate along the Pacific Flyway and make a seasonal stop in California’s Central Valley—especially around Lodi. These elegant birds are known for their distinctive calls, graceful courtship dances, and easily recognizable features.

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.

Welcome back Denis and James Kurata, who will perform this ancient form of Japanese music that has been a Festival highlight for 25 years.

Dr. Ivey’s presentation will focus on issues facing the Sandhill Crane populations that winter in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, sharing insights from his extensive research.  He will discuss the behavior, distribution, biology, and conservation requirements of the three Sandhill Crane subspecies in the Pacific Flyway that we see locally.

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.

Did you know there is a nesting pair of Bald Eagles at Lake Natoma? Meet Kathy Kayner, a wildlife photographer and an amazing storyteller, to learn about a pair of Bald Eagles that have been nesting on the American River Parkway within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The Bald Eagle family consists of an adult pair, “Mama and Papa”, who have, since 2017, successfully hatched 21 eaglets from a nest in a gray pine tree that overlooks Lake Natoma.

Join Chris Llewellyn and Jessica Furtado, Education Specialists from the Sacramento Zoo, to learn about Western Pond Turtle conservation currently work being done locally. Threatened by habitat loss, pollution, invasive species and urbanization, the Western Pond Turtle is currently being considered for listing as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.  With declining numbers - up to 99% in some areas - recovery efforts are urgent. Learn how everyone can help to prevent this species’ population decline and ensure their survival.

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. This presentation repeats on Saturday at 1:40 PM.

Learn more about the California version of a great migration and the habitats that support this awesome, and very reliable, natural phenomenon.

In the Delta, water interacts with land and forms soil in a complex process. Human use of water and land contains a nest of complex pressures. These connections and complexities play out daily.  This talk will explore many of these connections and complexities with a focus on how they relate to the birds that make the Delta their home.

Bring your questions for Dr. Jay Lund and Dr. Greg Golet who will present a broad look at the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta - winter home for thousands of Pacific Flyway Sandhill Cranes.  They will discuss the impact of a changing climate on this remarkable region, followed by audience questions.

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. This presentation is also at 10 AM on Saturday.

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.