Chico Creek Nature Center

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

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

It's time for Fun Fact Friday at Chico Creek Nature Center!Mojave desert tortoises can live around 30-50 years in the wi...
05/08/2026

It's time for Fun Fact Friday at Chico Creek Nature Center!

Mojave desert tortoises can live around 30-50 years in the wild—but some even make it to 80 in captivity!

Their longevity is thanks to a slow metabolism. Plus, they can go a year without needing water!

Want to meet one in person? Come say hi to our animal ambassador John, the Mojave tortoise 🐢

🦡 Did you know that coyotes and badgers sometimes team up to hunt? 🐺Badgers are expert diggers, able to chase prey like ...
05/06/2026

🦡 Did you know that coyotes and badgers sometimes team up to hunt? 🐺

Badgers are expert diggers, able to chase prey like ground squirrels and prairie dogs underground, while coyotes are fast runners that can catch them above ground. By working together, they’re more successful than either would be on their own. It’s a perfect partnership!

Team up with a partner and come visit CARD’s Chico Creek Nature Center to meet our own unique and special animal ambassadors!

It's Fun Fact Friday! Fact: Squirrels are nature's farmers. 🐿️ Because they bury acorns and forget them, they inadverten...
05/01/2026

It's Fun Fact Friday!

Fact: Squirrels are nature's farmers. 🐿️

Because they bury acorns and forget them, they inadvertently plant trees. They're also clever and will often "fake bury" a non-existent nut to throw off animal thieves.
And while they love nuts, squirrels are omnivores who also eat insects, snails, and bird eggs.

Bonus fact: a group of squirrels is called a scurry!

🌳 This spring, make Bidwell Park your classroom! Elementary students can explore the great outdoors and learn lessons fr...
05/01/2026

🌳 This spring, make Bidwell Park your classroom!

Elementary students can explore the great outdoors and learn lessons from nature at CARD's Chico Creek Nature Center.

There are still field trips available through May 28th, 2026!

Find out more and fill out a request form here:
https://www.chicorec.gov/field-trips

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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