Get inspired and join artists from the Lodi Community Art Center to create your own mini painting on paper or canvas to take home.  Supplies and encouragement provided, open to all ages. Also on Saturday from noon to 3 PM.

John Muir “Jack” Laws, a leader and innovator in the worldwide nature journaling movement, will set the tone for the 2024 Festival.  Jack has dedicated his work to connecting people to nature.  As founder and president of the Wild Wonder Foundation, he encourages nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community. 

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 is also on Sunday at 10:30 AM. 

The endangered California Condor population, once near the brink of extinction, has been recovering with the help of innovative management techniques and dedicated work by staff biologists and volunteers. The road to recovery has had many twists and turns for the biologists monitoring these critically endangered birds. Join Erin Lehnert for a glimpse into the life of a condor biologist.

Paul Tebbel, representing ICF, presents an overview of cranes worldwide, with an emphasis on those found in North America. He has spent over 45 years watching, researching, and learning about cranes.

This paid workshop and field trip is focused on Nature drawing. With guidance from John Muir Laws and his Wild Wonder Foundation, explore new ways of looking at nature while recording your observations in words and images. Following the workshop, apply the techniques of nature drawing in an exploration of the Cosumnes River Preserve .

Stop by for hands on exploration that gives people of all ages the opportunity to expand their knowledge … and have fun doing it. Jay Bell, former Lodi USD Science Specialist, shares his collection of artifacts and equipment to offer a closer look, and a better understanding, of cranes and their adaptations.

The Festival Exhibit Hall is open to all Festival attendees, free of charge, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 4th and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 5th. The Hall houses commercial vendors, public agencies, non-profit agencies, education organizations and activities that focus on Sandhill Cranes, and the diverse wildlife and their habitats found in the Lodi area.

Learn origami crane folding from our volunteer “experts”.  This activity is FREE … and everyone is welcomed to give it a try.  Stop by to learn more about the cultural significance of origami cranes and the history of this unique Japanese art form.