Lema Ranch offers various habitats: Cattail-rimmed ponds, a large lake, open fields and oak woodlands. These varied habitats provide good birding in all seasons. Expected to be seen are the Common Gallinule, Great-tailed Grackle, Lark Sparrow and Western Bluebird. Meet trip leader Linda Aldrich, at 8:00 am in the parking lot at Hemingway Road off of Shasta View. Questions: 223-5341.
Tag Archives | Lema Ranch
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Lema Ranch
Lema Ranch (home to the McConnell Foundation Headquarters) offers various habitats: Cattail-rimmed ponds, a large lake, open fields and oak woodlands. These varied habitats provide good birding in all seasons. During our last early spring visit 11 years ago we saw 49 species in addition to the local specialties: Common Gallinule, Great-tailed Grackle, Lark Sparrow and Western Bluebird. Meet trip leader Sally NeSmith at 8:00 am in the parking lot off of Hemingway Road, a left turn from Shasta View.
Breaking Point Documentary Screening: Time Is Running Out
The worst environmental disaster in U.S. history is quickly approaching, yet very little is being done to stop it. A casualty of the “water wars” in the Southwest, California’s largest lake is disappearing. The receding Salton Sea reveals a toxic mix of fine dust and chemicals that is threatening the health of millions. The Salton Sea has reached its breaking point, and time is running out!
Wintu Audubon Society in conjunction with California Audubon presents this gripping 60 minute documentary film with a discussion to follow hosted by Desiree Loggins, Central Valley/Sierra Chapter Network Manager for Audubon California.
You are invited to attend this exceptional free local event. If you prefer not to sign up via the FREE downloadable eTicket through our shop, please help us by confirming the number of guests in your party by contacting us via email or calling Linda Aldrich at 223-5341 no later than April 10th.
Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you!
REVIEWS:
“An engaging and timely production… Facts are well presented, and there is much to think about and discuss as other natural and urban areas face similar problems around the globe.”
–School Library Journal
“An amazing job bringing a complicated subject to the screen in a non-biased and scientifically supported way.”
-Patty Deen, Professor of Geology, Palomar College
“Absolutely fantastic! You nailed the complexity of the Sea with great visual artwork! Very compelling. Best video I have seen yet on the Salton Sea.”
-Dr. Timothy Krantz, Professor, Environmental Studies, University of Redlands
“An admirable job. Your film tells a very complex story. I especially like the means of addressing historical events.”
-Doug Barnum, Certified Wildlife Biologist, US Geological Survey
“We were mightily impressed. Its intellectual and production values elevate it…. I’ve been covering the Salton Sea since 2001 and still there were things I learned in the documentary. It will help save what I believe to be a vital environmental and natural resource.”
-Stephen Siciliano, special correspondent, Bloomberg Bureau of National Affairs (BNA)
AWARDS:
Winner, Four Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards (including Documentary Program)
Audience Choice Award, Best Full Length Documentary, Oceanside International Film Festival
Best of Festival Award, Julian Film Festival
Local Weekday Bird Walk at Lema Ranch
Lema Ranch, an oasis of open space in Redding, is excellent year-around birding. The ponds, orchards, and fields of the McConnell Foundation Headquarters provide an abundance of bird species. We will look for Common Gallinules, Marsh Wrens, Great-tailed Grackles, Lark Sparrows and other Lema Ranch specialties. This will be a 2-3 hour walk on paved trails with fine public restrooms. Meet our leader, Linda Aldrich, at the north parking lot off Hemingway Street. Hemingway Street is across from Mountain View school on Shasta View Drive.
McConnell Foundation Trails and Habitat Management
Sara Brady will describe the habitat management of The McConnell Foundation’s Lema Ranch and Churn Creek Open Space. The grasslands surrounding the trails are rotationally grazed by cattle each spring to facilitate the growth of native grasses, prevent grassland fires, and reduce the amount of fuel and herbicides used to maintain the land. The cattle are stocked at a high density and moved often to mimic the habits of the tule elk that once co-existed with native grassland species in this region. Purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra), big squirreltail (Elymus multisetus), and blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus) are a few of the native perennial grass species that can be spotted on the two properties. In the fall and winter, interns from Shasta College have been helping the McConnell crew restore waterfowl habitat on Ross Ranch (a future open space property). The restoration process is ongoing so please come prepared to share your experiences. Come visit us out on the trails or contact Sarah Brady at 530-356-9594 for more information.