Chico Creek Nature Center

Chico Creek Nature Center The Nature Center is a hub for outdoor fun, animal presentations, education, & imagination. Join us!

🙌 Time for Fun Fact Friday! Did you know Western Screech Owls don't actually screech? They vocalize with what's known as...
06/12/2026

🙌 Time for Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know Western Screech Owls don't actually screech?

They vocalize with what's known as a "bouncing ball" sound.

It's called that because the hoots sound like a ping pong match coming to an end.

🦉 Want to learn more about owls and other feathered flyers in our area? Come visit the Chico Creek Nature Center!

It's Baby Quail Time in Chico! 🪶Did you know quail nesting season runs from spring through October?June and July are pea...
06/10/2026

It's Baby Quail Time in Chico! 🪶

Did you know quail nesting season runs from spring through October?

June and July are peak months, so keep an eye out for these bird babies.

Want to party where the wild things are? 🐺Book your next event at the Chico Creek Nature Center! It's available for all ...
06/04/2026

Want to party where the wild things are? 🐺

Book your next event at the Chico Creek Nature Center!

It's available for all ages and occasions and includes:
🐾 Meet Our Animals experience with our animal ambassadors
🖌️ Theme-based craft
🌿 Guided nature walk with one of our staff
🌳 Reserved outdoor party area for food and festivities

Plus, the guest of honor gets to take home a free Nature Center t-shirt!

Find out more information and book your party here:
https://www.chicorec.gov/nature-center-parties

Note: We're currently booking out about a month, so get your reservations in early!

Have you ever seen strange, fruit-like growths on the oak trees in Chico? They might be oak galls! 🌳Often round, fuzzy, ...
06/03/2026

Have you ever seen strange, fruit-like growths on the oak trees in Chico?

They might be oak galls! 🌳

Often round, fuzzy, and dark in color, an oak gall is an abnormal ball of plant matter produced by gall wasps that have left their eggs and larvae inside.

Luckily, these oak galls do not cause damage to the trees and will fall off on their own eventually.

Have you ever seen an oak gall while out and about in Chico?

Chico Creek Nature Center spotlight: Animal Care Director Kurt Geiger🌟Kurt has been helping humans connect with animal a...
05/27/2026

Chico Creek Nature Center spotlight: Animal Care Director Kurt Geiger🌟

Kurt has been helping humans connect with animal ambassadors at Chico Creek Nature Center for years. When he first started his job, there were 14 animals at the museum, and only 3 were native to California. Now, Chico Creek Nature Center has 6 non-native animals and 14 different native species. Kurt hopes to get up to 20 native species someday!

Want to know Kurt's favorite critter? It's Flash the Western Pond Turtle 🐢

Why? Kurt has known him since the day Flash arrived here!

If you'd like to meet Kurt and his animal ambassador friends, head down to Chico Creek Nature Center for a visit!

Find out more here:
https://www.chicorec.gov/chico-creek-nature-center

It's spring, and the poppies are in bloom!Here are some facts about these fantastic flowers: 🏵️ This golden blossom is t...
05/21/2026

It's spring, and the poppies are in bloom!

Here are some facts about these fantastic flowers:

🏵️ This golden blossom is the official flower of our Golden State
🏵️ Poppies close their petals at night to protect their pollen stashes
🏵️ Picking poppies in parks is illegal in California—so admire them from afar!

Next time you're in a CARD park, keep an eye out for these fabulous florals!

Parents, bring your little ones to Nature ABC's with CARD!This unique program is for children ages 0 to 5 and an adult w...
05/20/2026

Parents, bring your little ones to Nature ABC's with CARD!

This unique program is for children ages 0 to 5 and an adult who can help them as needed.

Join us for a fun-filled hour featuring:
🐭 An animal visit
📖 Story time
🎵 Singing and dancing
🎨 An art project
🌳 A nature walk

Best of all, it's free!

Class space is limited to 25 participants on a drop-in basis and runs every Friday through June 5th.

Find out more information here:
https://www.chicorec.gov/nature-abc-s

Hooray for Fri-yay! It's time for CARD's Fun Fact Friday: Gecko edition. 🦎Did you know geckos use their sticky feet to w...
05/15/2026

Hooray for Fri-yay!

It's time for CARD's Fun Fact Friday: Gecko edition. 🦎

Did you know geckos use their sticky feet to walk up walls and ceilings?

Bonus fact: They lick their eyes to clean them!

Want to see a gecko in person? Come to the Chico Creek Nature Center and meet our Animal Ambassador, Lip the Gecko.

Find out more here: https://www.chicorec.gov/chico-creek-nature-center

Chico is known as the City of Trees. 🌳And for good reason:Chico is home to a surplus of beautiful native trees, includin...
05/14/2026

Chico is known as the City of Trees. 🌳

And for good reason:
Chico is home to a surplus of beautiful native trees, including the Valley Oak—one of California's most iconic trees.

Fun Fact: Valley Oaks can grow over 100 feet tall and live for 600 years!

Consider that next time you see this tree around town. 💚

🗓️ Save the date: May 30, 2026 🗓️Join us for the next edition of Voices of Nature at Chico Creek Nature Center!This mont...
05/13/2026

🗓️ Save the date: May 30, 2026 🗓️

Join us for the next edition of Voices of Nature at Chico Creek Nature Center!

This month's theme: Field Research 🔎

Participants get the inside scoop on science in the wild! Learn how fieldwork reveals the secrets of the natural world through local naturalists and researchers.

This session is perfect for curious kids (and their adult companions) who want to find out more about nature.

Sign up here: https://www.chicorec.gov/voices-of-nature

Address

1968 East 8th Street
San Francisco, CA
CA

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 1pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+15308954711

Website

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