Altacal's Annual Snow Goose Festival

Of the Pacific Flyway

Annual Snow Goose Festival

The Pacific Flyway ranks as one of the greatest migratory pathways in the entire world, stretching from the Bering Strait off the coast of Alaska to the steep slopes of Patagonia in South America. Millions of birds representing hundreds of species use this great avian highway each year, and nowhere is this abundance of wildlife more accessible than right here in the Northern Sacramento Valley. 

With an ideal combination of mild winter weather, abundant food, and rich quantities of water, the area attracts a huge wintering population of waterfowl and raptors. A local favorite among these is the majestic Snow Goose. With the estimated overall population of Snow Geese exceeding 5 million, as many as 1.5 million use the Pacific Flyway. Tens of thousands of these geese will winter right here in our own backyard.

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    Dye Creek Hike

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    Patrick Ranch Museum SGF venue

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    SGF Venue

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    Booth exhibits

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    Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA)

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    Avian Art Exhibit at MONCA

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    MONCA Avian Art exhibit opening

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    Birds and Brews

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    Canada Geese On Board workshop

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    Day 2 of SGF Exhibits

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    Goose

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    Greater White-fronted Geese by Sylvia Wright

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    Greater White-fronted Geese by Sylvia Wright

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    Sunset by Sylvia Wright

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Here are some highlights of the 2024 Snow Goose Festival:


  • Snow Goose Festival Headquarters, Patrick Ranch Museum: a delightful and birdy venue
  • 151 bird species sighted or heard
  • Glenn County Big Day field trip species count 110
  • “Gathering of Wings” banquet, silent auction & keynote speakers Bryce & Brita Lundberg “In Partnership with Nature: The Power of Regenerative Organic Farming Practices to Provide Habitat, Heal Soil, and Support Communities”
  • 19 Outstanding, Dedicated, and Generous Sponsors
  • 636 total registrants
  • 67 California cities represented, and people came from 4 other states, Oregon, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Arizona, and two from Ottawa, Canada.
  • 62 field trips, and 5 workshops, most sold out.
  • 67 excellent and experienced field trips leaders and workshop presenters, who volunteered their time and energy.
  • We had awesome “Super Snow Goosers” volunteers, Trish, Tom, Debbie, Celeste, Lollie, Sandy, Morgan, Cathy, Sue, John, Carla, Hilary, Brent, Maria, Diana, Satsie, Jan, Liz, Calvin, Cyndi, Claire, John, Karen, Lisa, Cathy, Richard, Renee, David, and the National Charity League-Mother/Daughter volunteer teams, plus new Butte College interns Kayley & Ryan
  • Staff was outstanding - Jennifer, Cathy, Mary, Jared, Ryan, Kaley


See you next year at the

25th

Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway,

January 23 - 26, 2025


Sylvia Wright's Photo Album from SGF 2024

Snow Goose Festival 2024
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