By Jim Morris
Always game for a new adventure, our family spent Saturday in Willows at the 75th birthday celebration for the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.
Wife Leslie went on the photo tour and pursued one of her favorite activities – capturing beautiful images of wildlife.
This is only the beginning of scenes like this, as the bird populations will be dramatically increasing in the coming weeks.Son RJ and I tried our hand at bird bingo. After finding all of the birds on our bingo sheet each child had to ask the event organizer a question to get their prize. His question: “What’s the most important crop in Sacramento?” (That’s my boy!) Their immediate reply: “Rice.”
Next we visited with two extraordinary artists from the valley – bird carvers Donald Hovie and Chester Wilcox, who had many magnificent creations on display.
We were also entertained and enlightened by a variety of displays, including Ducks Unlimited, California Waterfowl and the Altacal Audubon Society. RJ spent a long time learning to draw a Bald Eagle from his kind and patient tutor – biologist Jennifer Isola, who’s also a wonderful bird artist. Here’s the finished art, which now proudly resides on our refrigerator.
There was much excitement as Kateryna Elson unveiled a fantastic painting honoring the 75th anniversary of the refuge. Kateryna is seen here with Refuge Manager Dan Frisk and “Puddles.”
The serenity of the morning was occasionally broken up by airboat demonstrations, which were fascinating and worth the decibels.
As we visited with fellow wildlife lovers, it became abundantly clear that this celebration was well attended by many people charged with working in refuges, preserves and conservation organizations. It’s so encouraging to see that their job is much more than a nine-to-five, that protecting wildlife is truly a passion.
The refuge system works in concert with Sacramento Valley rice farmers whose fields provide habitat for nearly 230 wildlife species. Viewing the rice fields and the refuge system – viewing our natural world firsthand – is well worth your time.
Jim Morris is Communications Manager for the California Rice Commission. Jim has worked in communications for more than 20 years. When he’s not on the job, he enjoys his family, faith, football, outrageous monster stories and running marathons.
I was especially impressed with sous chef Tim Koltun’s presentation of Arancini di Riso, using California Arborio rice, a short-grain type of rice. These little “oranges of rice” were yummy balls of risotto, coated with breadcrumbs. What a wonderful treat and a great way to end a hectic week. 
