The Chico Creek Nature Center is excited to welcome its newest Animal Ambassador, a Western Screech Owl. Transferred into the Nature Center’s care from the UC Davis California Raptor Center (CRC) in Davis, this owl will play a vital role in enhancing the Nature Center’s educational programs.

Bidwell Park provides an excellent and accessible opportunity to teach valuable lessons of the natural world. For over thirty years, the Chico Creek Nature Center has provided quality educational programs on the natural systems of Bidwell Park to elementary school students, using the park as a classroom.

Nature ABC's is a time for families of children ages 0–5 to gather and enjoy an hour of fun free activities with our instructor.  Join us Fridays for an animal visit, story time, singing and dancing, an art project and a nature walk in our beautiful park. This program is offered free of charge through funding from First 5 Butte County.

Looking for the perfect place for your child’s birthday party? The Nature Center has just the spot!

Click HERE for more information.

TK through 1st graders will enjoy this outdoor based after school program! In addition to outdoor free play, science, crafts and games, children have the opportunity to go on nature walks, swim in Big Chico Creek (weather permitting), build tree forts, attend live animal presentations and grow connections with their peers and nature. We hope to see you there!

Nature School is a first learning experience for kids ages 3-5, who are potty trained and ready for an experience away from their family. This program has zero screen time and is predominantly held outdoors. Nature kids get to visit live animals at the Nature Center, go on nature walks daily and practice nature identification along the way. We provide fun themes every two weeks and work on social emotional and school readiness skills. All units include play-based learning, healthy body movement like yoga and dancing, themed stories, songs, art projects, sensory exploration and sign language. We PLAY, we teach KINDNESS, and we truly nurture a love of NATURE! Ages: 3-5 M/W or T/Th | Sep-May | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Join us at the Nature Center for a family friendly owl prowl. What a hoot! Kiddos will think like a scientist as we dissect owl pellets in the science lab and learn about native owl species in our area. Brush up on your night vision as we end the evening with an owl prowl around the Nature Center to look for our nocturnal, feathery friends.