On March 14, 2009, 6 members from the CSU, Chico Chapter of California Waterfowl met up with 7 children from the Community Youth Center (CYC) based in Concord, to help clean wood duck boxes at Rancho Esquon. The air was chilly but the smiles were warm, especially after Loretta Gardiner, Hatchery Manager, announced that there would be hot chocolate and a BBQ lunch waiting for everyone after the wood duck boxes were completed.

The students from the Chico Chapter and Education Coordinator Shane Romain taught the CYC kids about wetlands, waterfowl, migration, wildlife friendly farming and the nesting habits of wood ducks.

In just over 3 hours the efforts of the Chico Chapter and the CYC kids resulted in over 50 wood duck boxes completely prepared for the upcoming nesting season.

 Our student chapter was organized in fall 2007 with the hopes of offering students an opportunity to get involved with waterfowl- and wetland-related activities in association with CWA  biologists and technicians.  The group is quite diverse, with our current membership comprised of students, former students, faculty, and CWA staff; our membership includes both hunters and non-hunters.   Student and faculty members come to the group from biology, engineering, construction management, and psychology programs.   

Thus far, we have been involved with many activities including the hosting of guest speakers, the cleaning of wood duck nest boxes, willow planting, waterfowl banding, waterfowl wing workshops, as well as hunting activities among members and also serving as hosts for junior hunters.

In addition, many of our members have found part-time or full-time technician jobs with CWA.   Some of their job duties include mallard banding, northern pintail rocket netting, and wood duck monitoring. We have great plans for the future, so if you wish to join us, contact the chapter at csuchicocwa@hotmail.com for more information.

To start a chapter of CWA at your college or university contact us at cwaeducation@calwaterfowl.org.