Blue herons, this one eating an insect, are among the wildlife treasures that reside at Bushy Lake. (Special to Sacramento State/Sam Davidson)Western pond turtles, great blue herons and other wildlife will be at the center of an Earth Day celebration on Saturday by Sacramento State environmental studies students.
Members of the public are invited to the free event between 10 a.m. and noon at the Bushy Lake wildlife refuge, which spans 20 acres along the American River Parkway behind Cal Expo.
Sac State students are an important part of an ongoing project seeking to restore the lake’s riparian habitat.
Among other things, students in recent years have been planting native grasses, pulling invasive weeds, cleaning up trash, monitoring the activities of turtles and birds, and otherwise helping to restore the acreage in partnership with Sacramento County Parks.
This winter’s heavy rains have added a splash of color to the area, said environmental sciences Professor Michelle Stevens, whose students are leading the project.
“It’s been a great, great year,” Stevens said. “The poppies and native grasses should be gorgeous” this weekend.
The western pond turtle is among the native species that Stevens and her students are trying to protect.
Bushy Lake is a vital habitat for the pond turtle, which in California is listed as a “species of special concern” and is endangered in Oregon, said Stevens. It represents perhaps the last remaining refuge for the species along the lower American River, she said.
“It’s the only place along the lower American River with this kind of beautiful habitat,” said Stevens. “So many people love these turtles. We like to give them plenty of attention.”
Among other things, Stevens and her students have been using a spotting scope to conduct visual surveys and monitor activities of the turtles, which can survive for 35 years in the wild. Sac State students have observed as many as 55 turtles at one time in the refuge.
A wide variety of other species, including hawks, wood ducks, Canada geese, heron, egrets, river otters, and deer also make the Bushy Lake area their home.
Students also are helping to restore native plants, such as milkweed, to attract butterflies and help make the landscape along the American River parkway more resilient to fire. Both plant and wildlife studies have been used for research projects and as senior-thesis topics by students in the Environmental Studies Department.
Stevens encouraged visitors to bring cameras to the Saturday celebration and document Bushy Lake life. Pictures can be submitted to the international City Nature Challenge, in which participants can upload photos of wildlife and share them through the iNaturalist app.
Visitors are asked to wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and encouraged to bring musical instruments. Snacks and water will be provided.
Visitors should arrive promptly at 10 a.m. at the Bushy Lake parking lot to meet the student group and walk to the restoration area. Directions can be found online at Google maps. – Cynthia Hubert