October 15, Saturday - Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge Grand Opening Celebration - The Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge (SRNWR) is open to the public for wildlife viewing, photography, interpretation, environmental education, fishing, and hunting. The Refuge, which provides habitat for native birds and other wildlife, also has superb hiking and bird watching areas.  Events and tours will be held from 8 until noon at the Ord Bend, Phelan, Rio Vista and Sul Norte Units.  Altacal Audubon Society members will co-lead a guided bird walk at the Sul Norte Unit.  For directions, information and to sign up for the various free tours call the Refuge at (530) 934-2801.  Information is also available at the SRNWR web site: ( http://www.fws.gov/pacific/sacramentovalleyrefuges/index.htm ). 

October 27-28, Thursday & Friday - 6th State of the Sacramento River Watershed Conference - Red Bluff Community Center. The Sacramento River Preservation Trust is dedicated to protecting and preserving the Sacramento River and environs.  This year the conference is being held in partnership with the Sacramento River Watershed Program and the Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum.  Local experts will discuss important issues affecting the Sacramento River watershed. These include a panel discussion on the status of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program and its effect on the Sacramento River watershed, and a keynote speech by Stein Buer, Executive Director of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, who will be addressing flood management issues in the basin.  The afternoon will be dedicated to workshops focused on six areas of interest: habitat restoration, fisheries and wildlife, water quality, invasive plants, local watershed programs, river access and recreation. Also included will be field trips and a Sacramento River Float for conference participants to join.  For more details about this conference, please visit www.sacrivertrust.org where you can see the agenda topics as well as register for the conference.