April Program - John Kemper: "Birding Trails" Monday, April 20th, 1998, 7:30 PM, Chico Creek Nature Center 1968 East Eighth St., Chico, 95928 Birding trails are becoming popular in Texas and in California. Texas has developed a plan for its Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and the Central California Coast chapters of Audubon have announced a Central Coast Birding Trail. Texas has published an elaborate full color brochure for its trail, and the Central Coast Chapters have published four color brochures (one for each county on the Central Coast). John Kemper, from Yolo Audubon, has been working with National Audubon to develop trails in other parts of California. John has agreed to come and discuss this concept with us. Birding trails are not foot trails, but automobile routes linking key birding sites. The idea is to promote public enjoyment of birding, in the anticipation that this will lead to greater public support in preserving wildlife habitat. Texas has invested $1.5 million in its project, but in California financial support has come only from National Audubon and its chapters. To publish a large quantity of color brochures that will be distributed freely to the public will be expensive. Therefore, it is hoped that California's Department of Fish and Game will become involved as a supporting agency.