Summer Campbell-Kern Valley Sun

The 13th Annual Kern River Valley Spring Nature Festival and Earth Day celebration drew visitors and locals alike to the many venues and varied activities during its five-day run in the valley. The event, previously referred to as the Bioregions Festival, has been a well traveled event for nature lovers for years.

The celebration officially started Thursday, with activities and events running through Sunday evening. Residents and visitors alike traveled to Circle Park in Kernville and the Kern River Preserve, in Weldon, to participate in a plethora of activities.

Hummingbirds dine from a feeder at the Kern River Preserve Saturday morning.

Bird watchers were able to search for the 333 bird species and the 200 bird nestings that are located on or near the preserve. In addition to bird watching, festival attendees participated in a basic bird photography workshop taught by Bob Steele, bird-banding demonstrations, owling and many other bird related programs.

The Kern River Preserve also offered fun, educational activities for people of all ages and interests. At the preserve, visitors could identify reptiles, explore the trails and learn more about the ecology of the Kern River Valley.

In addition to the events held at the preserve, vendors set up booths in Circle Park in Kernville, while the Paiute Nuui Cuuni Cultural Center in Wofford Heights and the Kern Valley Museum offered tours and educational information regarding the Kern River Valley.

The Spring Nature Festival also held several Earth Day activities, starting with a North Fork Kern River Earth Day Cleanup hosted by Mountain and River Adventures. Earth Day was also celebrated with several workshops teaching “outdoor ethics” as well as ways to conserve our natural resources by using environmentally friendly products.

For those bird and nature lovers that were unable to get a spot on one of many nature and bird watching walks, the Kern River Preserve was a great place to observe birds, as many species could be seen fluttering on the preserve's front lawn. One of the exhibits offered a live white fuzzy barn owl for visitors to view. The preserve's information booth also housed a large bird board, describing the many bird species that have been spotted in the Valley.

Another popular exhibit was the herpetology booth. A non-profit exotic animal rescue organization displayed several species of rattlesnakes, as well as other types of snakes that those who weren't too afraid could hold. Many of the rattlesnakes could be seen rattling in their cages. The exhibitors assured bystanders that the snakes are not kept caged up, but are released after a week or two, to insure that they are able to survive in the wild. The herpetology organization is on call for valley residents who find rattlesnakes near their homes; the group also is there for people who are unable to care for exotic pets. The organization also gives educational talks at schools and other agencies.

The Spring nature Festival was full of educational activities for young and old. The preserve had several tables set up for children to color different type of animals. Another exhibit was set up to teach those interested how to identify the tracks of several animals, the booth had a stamp of nearly any animal you could think of and participants could stamp the prints on paper to see what a real bear or deer track would look like. Kids also had the opportunity to play “bug bingo.”

Circle Park also had an animal booth that was covered with lines of children wanting to pet the Columbian Boa or see the giant iguanas. While the children were excited about the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with the wildlife, some adults looked on in apprehension at the bands of snakes and reptiles.

In addition to snakes visitors could pet the giant tortoise. Circle Park also had a blow up whale that children could play inside. There were craft booths where children made birdfeeders, necklaces and got their face painted. While the kids were busy in the craft corner, parents were able to explore the many booths that housed pictures of valley wildlife or those that sold energy efficient products.

It was clear that nature lovers had been enthusiastically awaiting this year's Spring Nature Festival and Earth Day celebration because almost all of the trips planned for the festival weekend were full before the weekend even started.

The 13th Annual Kern River Valley Spring Nature Festival and Earth Day celebration provided fun and educational entertainment for all those in attendance. The festival seems to grow each year and will hopefully continue to grow in educating people about the environment and habitat of the Kern River Valley.