CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - An “Owl-o-ween” festival last week captivated families at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Great horned owl Echo – a rescued animal ambassador – was a star turn among bats, snakes and hawks.

The fundraiser open day was a COVID-sensitive version of the center’s annual NatureFest.  Where the fall festival normally draws more than 1500 people, the 2020 event capped attendee numbers and sold out almost as soon as it was scheduled.

Per County regulations, human participants wore face coverings. Families or group “pods” were guided through socially-distanced exhibits. Visitors met live critter ambassadors and learned about seasonal variations for plants and animals on the American River Parkway. With Halloween whimsy, giant Chinooks (now in spawning death throes in nearby waters) were reinvented as “Zombie salmon.” Insects were styled creepy-crawlies and bat exhibits were “creatures of the night.” A black crow called Onyx - ambassador for Gold Country Wildlife - was a beady-eyed sentinel over proceedings. Vernal Pool educators from the Splash organization provided a witches brew of live newts, frogs and salamanders. Save the Snakes slithered on board with a rattler called Natoma and a functioning beehive featured a queen and her humming minions.  As the pre-Halloween event was designated candy-free, kids were sent home with a pumpkin a-piece.

“We weren’t able to stage our normal NatureFest,” explained coordinator Jaclyn Teofilo. “But we did our best to give everyone experiences that got them closer to nature.”

Event sponsors included: Fred and Betsy Weiland; California Department of Water Resources; California Native Plant Society; Sacramento Autobahn; SMUD; Roemer Pumpkin Patch; Save the American River Association; Sacramento Creek Council.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center and its 100-acre preserve is located in Ancil Hoffman Park. During the COVID situation its educational mission continues with Zoom presentations, limited school visits and afternoon mini-programs at the central trailhead. For information, visit www.sacnaturecenter.net