Salute to the Pacific Flyway - March 13, 1999. Leave your Saturday chores behind and take a break to enjoy a guided tour of marshes and waterways at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge that are attracting thousands of wintering shorebirds and waterfowl. California's Central Valley supports 60 percent of the Pacific Flyway's migratory ducks and geese, and many of these birds take advantage of ponds and wetlands scattered throughout the Stone Lakes Basin. Listen to biological and birding lore from avian biologist Keith Kwan and take advantage of some outstanding birding opportunities. You'll also be treated to sights of hunting birds of prey and the many egrets, herons, and cormorants who nest on the Refuge's rookery. There are always opportunities to spot some of the Refuge's resident mammals, including coyotes, beaver, river otters, and muskrats.

To reach the Refuge, take Interstate 5 to the Elk Grove Boulevard exit, turn west, and park; the Refuge entrance is adjacent to the highway. Wear suitable clothing and shoes; it will be cool or rainy. Bring drinking water, if desired. You will walk on graveled roads or across fairly level fields; there are no established trails or facilities, although a portable restroom is provided. Reservations are not required for individuals; groups must call in advance to be sure space is available. During the month of February, there will be no open touring day in order to reduce disturbance to these resting birds; two guided tours will be offered during March. For information, call Stone Lakes NWR (916) 979-2085 (during work hours); Contact Person: Jeanne Clark.

The Stone Lakes NWR is a cooperative project of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the County of Sacramento, the State of California, and other agencies and organizations. The Refuge was established to manage, restore, and enhance habitats for wildlife and to provide educational and recreational opportunities for the public.

The first Annual Aleutian Goose Festival - "A Celebration of Wildness" - March 26-28, 1999. Come join SOAR in celebrating the return of spring and the annual gathering of the world's entire population of Aleutian Canada Geese. Watch at dawn, when the birds rise from their offshore island's night rest and fill the sky with voice and wing as they move to feed in nearby mainland pastures. Down to less than 800 in the early 1970's and now numbering nearly 30,000, the Aleutian Goose is an Endangered Species Act success story.

Don't miss our variety of speakers, seminars, workshops, fieldtrips, kayak excursions and activities designed for everyone, from the most avid birder to the budding naturalist. At this time of year our coastal waters abound as well with marine mammals and migrating gray whales. Sign up and travel aboard a 36ft charter boat for an unforgettable offshore marine adventure. Drift to the estuary of California's pristine Smith River, for a water's-eye view of ducks, swans, herons, egrets and waterfowl. Join expert and credentialed guides and meet some of our area's other, more than 400 recorded, bird species; Tundra Swan, Eurasian Widgeon, Harlequin Duck, Ancient and Marbled Murrelet, Rock Sandpiper, Red-shouldered Hawk, White-tailed kite, Black Phoebe, Gray Jay, Black-capped Chickadee and Allen's Hummingbird.

The festival is part of the non-profit SOAR (Scenic Ocean And Redwoods) Project, which is sponsored by the Redwood Economic Development Institute (REDI) and the ROSE Foundation for Communities and the Environment. Partial funding is provided by a grant from the USDA Forest Service Rural Communities Assistance Program. The Aleutian Goose Festival is a not for profit community volunteer event centered at the Crescent City Cultural Center. It is hosted by the City of Crescent City and Chamber of Commerce with cooperating sponsorships and additional programs offered by Redwood National & State Parks, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Smith River National Recreation Area and California Fish and Game. For more information, see the web page at http://www.delnorte.org/soar/, or contact: Rick Hiser and Susan Calla, P.O. Box 156, Smith River, CA, 95567. (707) 487-2112 / calla@wave.net.