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THE KERN VALLEY FESTIVAL
A Celebration of the Bio-Regions
29-30 April 1995

For further information regarding the Festival, 
contact:
Lynn Overtree at (619) 378-2531 or
Judy Hyatt at (619) 376-1117 or (800) 258-3368
For information on accommodations contact the 
Kernville Chamber of Commerce at: (619) 376-2629

Kernville, Weldon and Isabella Reservoir are 
located on Hwy. 178 between Bakersfield and 
Ridgecrest at the southern end of the Sierra 
Nevada Mountains.

     Kernville, CA -- In the spring of 1995, 
amateur birdwatchers, hikers, photographers, 
wildflower enthusiasts and residents interested in 
learning about the biological treasures in their 
own community are invited to a weekend event 
called the KERN VALLEY FESTIVAL: A CELEBRATION OF 
THE BIO-REGIONS.

     A trip through the Kern River Valley can take 
you through five of the six bio-regions found in 
the state of California: Mojave desert, Great 
Basin sagebrush, coastal chaparral, great valley 
grasslands including riparian forest, and Sierran 
forest. Joshua trees and desert sands lie within 
minutes of a vast cottonwood-willow forest with 
oak and chaparral covered hills stretching back 
from the scene, topped by the coniferous forests 
of the Kern Plateau.

     As a result of this unique situation, 
biodiversity is higher in the Kern River watershed 
than in any other place in the United States. With 
so many different habitats meeting in one place, 
plants and animals usually separated by many miles 
can be spotted within easy hiking distance in the 
Kern River Valley.

     This first annual festival is set for April 
29-30, at the height of the spring bird migration 
and wildflower bloom. Events will be headquartered 
in Kernville and Weldon, California. There will be 
displays and workshops on nature photography, 
birding for beginners, and landscaping to attract 
wildlife. Short nature walks will be led on the 
Kern River Preserve and in nearby areas. Longer 
field trips will be organized for wildflower and 
bird observation, as well as tours of riparian 
forest and habitat restoration. Saturday will also 
feature special activities for children at the 
Kern River Preserve.

     In Kernville there will be an invitational 
art show featuring wildlife and landscape fine 
art, photography, and sculpture. There will also 
be rafting trips down the wild and scenic Kern 
River and exhibits in Circle Park. On Sunday the 
Book Shoppe in Kernville will feature 
"Conversations With" renowned California author 
Gerald Haslam, one of the premier chroniclers of 
the lore and landscape of this area. Signed copies 
of his recent books will be available for 
purchase.

Saturday, April 29, 1994
------------------------

7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 3:00, 5:00 Bird walks on nature 
trail at the Kern River Preserve. Join biologist 
from the Kern River Preserve and Kern River 
Research Center on a 1-mile walk through 
cottonwood-willow riparian forest and forest 
restoration plots along the South Fork Kern River. 
These walks will take one to two hours.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

7:00-12:00 Bird banding demonstration at the River 
Preserve. Come and visit the mist nets and see 
birds being captured, banded, and released. You 
haven�t really seen a bird until you have seen one 
in the hand when you can observe all the details 
of its delicate feathers, feel how fast their 
hearts beat, and feel how much higher their body 
temperature is than ours. Even the most drab bird 
shows subtleties of colors and patters when you 
see it close up.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

7:00-12:00 Hike and bird the South Fork Kern River 
riparian forest with Stephen Laymon, Research 
Director of the Kern River Research Center. He has 
been studying the birds of this forest since 1985. 
We will go to several areas of The Nature 
Conservancy�s Kern River Preserve and US Forest 
Service South Fork Wildlife Area that are little 
traveled by the general public. Our first stop 
early in the morning will be at a site overlooking 
the forest near Sierra Way where on good days in 
spring, waves of migrants can be seen at eye 
level. This is also an excellent area for unusual 
species (Northern Parula, American Redstart, 
Hooded Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, have 
all be observed here).  Other sites to be visited 
include Prince Pond and Mariposa Marsh, both 
excellent birding sites. Portions of the walk are 
over difficult terrain. Walk is limited to 10 
people. To reserve a place on this field trip call 
(800) 258-3368

10:00 and 2:00 Riparian habitat restoration field 
trip with Reed Tollefson, manager of the Kern 
River Preserve. Since 1986, The Nature Conservancy 
has planted about 300 acres of riparian vegetation 
on the South Fork Kern River. Older sites have 
weathered the drought without additional 
irrigation and newer sites show promising 
indications of exceeding older sites in growth and 
survival. Many trees planted since 1986 are 20-30 
feet tall and are used by riparian birds species 
such as Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Willow Flycatchers, 
Yellow-breasted Chats, Common Yellowthroats, Blue 
Grosbeaks, and Song Sparrows. Visit sites of 
varying ages and learn about the techniques used 
in this very successful restoration project. Each 
walk will last 90 minutes.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

9:00-11:00 Introduction to birds and bird 
watching. Bird watching is the hobby of thousands, 
but it can be frustrating for the beginner. One 
typically starts out turning the pages of a field 
guide, looking at a bird, then glancing at the 
pictures until the bird flies away unidentified. 
There is a better way! This two hour workshop will 
lead you step by step through the procedures of 
field identification. Topics covered will include: 
how to use your binoculars, how to choose which 
binoculars to buy, suggested field guides, and how 
to maximize your success at observation and 
identification.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

9:00-12:00 Nature photography workshop with Trudy 
Pascoe - a "hands on" field seminar for beginners 
to serious amateurs. Bring camera gear, tripod if 
you have one, and notepad. You don�t need a fancy 
camera, bring a pocket camera or what ever you 
feel comfortable with. We will cover exposure, 
depth of field, lighting, lenses and filters, and 
close-ups.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Activities for children from 5 
to 14 years. In order to not interrupt on-going 
activities, please arrange to drop off and pick up 
children between activities. There will be 
activities packets for all children who 
participate. Meet: Kern River Preserve 
headquarters in Weldon.
   10:00-10:30 Predator-Prey (Ages 5-12) This 
     game introduces food chains add the way they work 
     in nature.
   10:30-11:00 Noah�s Ark (Ages 7-12) Try to 
     find your mate amid the herd of cavorting beasts 
     and birds on Noah�s Ark!
   11:00-11:30 The Scent Game (Ages 5-12) Can 
     you find your parent or baby by it�s scent alone? 
     Come find out!
   11:30-12 Animal Game (Ages 7-14) A fun way to 
     review birds learned on the morning walk - or to 
     test how much you know about our feathered 
     residents.
   12:00-12:30 LUNCH BREAK
   12:30-1:00 Identification Game (Ages 6-14) 
     Two teams will compete to test their skill in 
     identifying leaves, cones, and shrubs from the 
     Kern River Valley.
   1:00-1:30 Animal Game (Ages 7-14) A fun way 
     to review birds learned on the morning walk - or 
     to test how much you know about our feathered 
     residents.

1:00-5:00 Wildflower hike - An afternoon field 
trip to sites in the valley, desert, and nearby 
mountains with Dianne Mitchell, local botanist. 
Particular sites will be chosen based on location 
of blooming plants. Meet: Kern River Preserve 
headquarters in Weldon.

1:30, 3:00, 4:30 Rafting on the Kern River - The 
Lickety-Split raft trip is a perfect introduction 
to whitewater rafting. This run is full of enough 
excitement to challenge just about everyone, from 
tykes to grandmas. Rafts are piloted by 
professional river guides who will provide you 
with equipment and a safety talk. You will then be 
ready for three miles of jam-packed whitewater 
action. It is a great way to see a great river! 
The trip lasts for approximately one hour and 
fifteen minutes, including the shuttle to the put-
in. Pleas call Sierra South for reservations (619) 
376-3745.  Special price for Kern Valley Festival 
$10/per person. Meet: at Sierra South in 
Kernville, east of the bridge.

10:00-5:00 Exhibits in Circle Park, Kernville. See 
the Partners-in-Flight Neotropical Migratory Bird 
display, the U.S. Forest Service�s Animal Inn. 
Exhibits and activities by California Living 
Museum of Bakersfield, and Camp K.E.E.P. Other 
exhibits will include Kerncrest Audubon Society, 
Kern River Research Center, Wildlife Rescue, 
Kernville Hatchery, and many others.

10:00-5:00 Art Show - Keith Pringle�s Art Gallery 
on Piute Drive at Circle Park, Kernville - An 
invitational art show of wildlife and landscape 
fine art and photography, featuring some of 
California�s best known wildlife and landscape 
artists.

Sunday, April 30, 1995
----------------------

6:00-2:00 Butterbredt Springs field trip. This 
trip is for birdwatchers who want to see spring 
migration in the desert and one of Kern County�s 
birding hot spots. The peak of migration is 
usually the last week in April when as many as 
4,000 birds/hour have passed by. Large flocks fly 
by, while some stop to forage in the trees at the 
spring. Many species of warblers, flycatchers, 
vireos, and other neotropical migrant species can 
be seen. Time is of the essence, since the flow of 
birds is highest from just before dawn until about 
three hours after. Follow leader Sam Fitton out 
Kelso Valley and Jawbone Canyon roads to 
Butterbredt Canyon. Enjoyment will be greatly 
enhanced by car pooling; the terrain is sandy and 
parking places are limited at the springs. Every 
effort will be made to minimize the number of 
vehicles used, preferably to 4-wheel drive 
vehicles. Biring binoculars and field guides. Wear 
sturdy shoes, bring lunch, drinking water, and 
other drinks (no water is available in the area). 
Dress for hot weather.
Meet: In front of Paul�s Place in Weldon.

7:00, 9:00 Bird walks at the Kern River Preserve, 
Weldon. Take a 1-mile walk through cottonwood-
willow riparian forest and forest restoration 
plots along the South Fork Kern River. The walk 
will take between one and two hours.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

8:00-12:00 Explore the Canebrake Ecological 
Reserve with Lynn Overtree, Assistant Manager of 
the Kern River Preserve. This 1300 acre ranch is 
managed by he California Department of Fish and 
Game to protect a portion of California�s largest 
riparian forest along the South Fork Kern River. 
The area contains a rare mix of habitats, from 
Joshua trees to lush stream-side forest.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

10:00-11:00 Gardening for birds with Karen 
Phillips. Learn how you can create a backyard 
habitat that will help attract birds and other 
wildlife to your yard. Our emphasis will be on 
using native and drought tolerant plants to create 
shelter and provide food for resident and 
migratory birds. Plants will be on display at the 
talk, and gardening questions are encouraged!
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

10:00-5:00 Art Show - Keith Pringle�s Art Gallery 
on Piute Drive at Circle Park, Kernville - An 
invitational art show of wildlife and landscape 
fine art and photography, featuring some of 
California�s best known wildlife and landscape 
artists.

11:00-12:30 Traditional uses of native plants. 
Explore the nature trail at the Kern River 
Preserve with Carol Wermuth and discover the many 
ways local Indians used, and continue to use, 
native plants as sources of medicine and food. An 
easy hike through Great Basin and riparian 
vegetation will introduce you to plants such as 
wed willow, yerba mansa, wild tobacco, salt grass, 
and wild licorice.
Meet: Kern River Preserve headquarters in Weldon.

1:00 "Conversations with Gerald Haslam" There will 
be a speakerphone interview with renowned 
California author Gerald Haslam, from his home in 
Sonoma County. He is one of the premier 
chroniclers of lore and landscape of this area. 
Autographed copies of his books will be available.
Meet: the Book Shoppe in Kernville, next to Circle 
Park.