Science & Math   

Take a national park tour with full-color photos, stories, park information, animal sightings, and vacation planning information about the following national parks: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Glacier, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rocky Mountain, and Badlands, as well as Mount Rushmore National Monument. This armchair tour will leave you wanting to head immediately to that national park!

This class is for both beginning and experienced birders. Through observation and the use of binoculars, field guides, and birding apps, class participants learn to identify birds in their natural habitat. We will meet once a month at different birding locations for field trips that may involve 1-2 miles of walking.

This class is for students who have taken the "Birding in the Chico Area" class more than once. We will not cover birding basics and will spend more time in the field. We will meet once a month at different locations for field trips that may involve 2-3 miles of walking.

Catastrophic volcanic eruptions around the globe have impacted our world through changes in paleoclimate, geography, fauna and flora, and, later, human life. We will study several of these historic volcanoes, their origin and magnitude, and the changes wrought by their eruptions. Can we predict future eruptions?

Sutter Buttes State Park is one of the newer state parks in California and has no public access. We will meet with park staff for an exclusive tour of the beautiful Peace Valley where we will learn about the unique geology of the land, explore several historic and prehistoric cultural features, and observe and identify abundant wildflowers and birds. This is a 3-4 mile moderately difficult cross-country hike over uneven, rocky terrain with some short, steep hills and possible stream crossings.

California's temperate climate allows an amazing array of plants to be grown locally. Edible gardens, pollinator gardens, native gardens, contemplative gardens, and demonstration gardens are some of the many varieties to tour. Inspired by the successful model of the "Arts & Eats" OLLI class, "Garden Gourmands" will focus on touring the art of garden landscapes combined with eating locally. Join Master Gardeners as we explore different area gardens followed by a no-host lunch at various local eateries to enjoy the bounty of Butte County.

Chico State's tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. Numbering over 1,000, Chico State's graduate students are often doing exciting and relevant work of their own. This class will give you a chance to hear some of them talk about their original research, centered around their theses.

We will explore the beautiful Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary, hiking 5-6 miles of gorgeous, pristine riparian habitat. Mostly flat, but can be uneven and muddy depending on the weather. You should be fit for moving at a quick pace. We will hike through mature oak forest, open grassland, sloughs, a small lake, mixed riparian woodland, and the west bank of the Feather River with over 200 bird species reported.

Get an introduction to California native plants and basic botany in the field as we saunter in search of California native wildflowers.

Get an introduction to California native plants and basic botany in the field as we saunter in search of California native wildflowers.

California Master Gardeners provide educational outreach from University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) offices throughout the state. The mission of the Butte County Master Gardeners is to extend research-based education and technical assistance throughout the non-commercial gardening community and to foster successful gardening practices by helping individuals make informed decisions about plants, pests, and the environment, with an emphasis on sustainability. Join us as we address a wide range of fascinating subjects.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring an interesting place in our community. Our walk will be approximately 1-3 miles on relatively flat, even surfaces. We will meander at a leisurely pace. Participants should be comfortable walking and standing for up to two hours. We will be visiting the Mendocino National Forest Chico Seed Orchard where Vickie Stoll will lead us on a tour focusing on the flora, fauna, and history of the Chico Seed Orchard.

Chico is known for its rich biodiversity and parks. Get to know Chico's non-human residents through photographs from five years of weekly wanderings and the research they inspired. The first class meeting, For the Birds, will highlight interactions with our feathered friends. The second class meeting, More than Just Birding, will explore mammals, reptiles, insects, fascinating plants and fungi, and other treasures under our noses. Join the conversation with your own experiences and knowledge.

We will continue to explore the new developments in medicine and biotechnology and how they impact our health and well-being.

We will explore social changes and how people choose to adapt to or resist them. Potential topics for discussion include the changing landscape of gender identity, attitudes about social welfare programs, and right-to-die movements. We may also discuss advances in technologies such as self-driving cars and chatty artificial intelligences and what these mean for our lives going forward. Do these disruptions threaten to dissolve or perhaps expand our conception of what it means to be human?

Exercise your thinking skills with a collection of games and puzzles that involve logic, deductive reasoning, observation skills, critical thinking, and strategy. Solve mysteries, spot fakes, and enjoy a little friendly competition. Join discussions about evaluating reliable sources and the impact of AI on our filters and perception of reality. This playful class aims to challenge your brain in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.

Vaccination is a major successful public health measure. Smallpox is gone; polio is on its way out; and the incidence of the childhood diseases that the older of us had is way down. We'll look at the history of many infectious diseases, their causes, and their vaccines; how the immune system works' and how vaccines work (in cooperation with the immune system). We may digress into other public health issues, and we'll spend a day or so on the connection between vaccines and autism (spoiler: there is none). Let's agree to avoid politics!

We'll hike a moderate 4.5 miles with 450 feet of elevation gain along Colby Creek, on forest trails, and through meadows filled with wildflowers. The trailhead is at 4,750 feet, high enough to escape the valley heat. Our pace will be leisurely, with time to take photographs, observe and identify wildflowers and birds, enjoy the views, and make new friends. Team up with other women to enjoy a fun day outdoors!