Treasures of Bidwell Park, that is. Roger Lederer and Carol Burr, Emeritus Professors of California State University, Chico, have created three books that honor some of the greatest treasures of Bidwell Park, namely the Birds, Trees, and Wildflowers.
These books are dedicated to Annie Bidwell who understood that open spaces are vital to the health of the community and the people who live there. As Chico has grown, these natural areas have provided important community spaces, habitat for plants and animals, recreational opportunities, places of natural beauty, and critical environmental areas like wetlands.
Annie’s foresight has made Chico a special place that people have enjoyed for generations and that, we hope, future generations will also care for and appreciate. The birds, trees, and wildflowers are part of this precious legacy. Creating these books is our small way of thanking our founding mother and encouraging stewardship.
You can purchase these books in Chico at:
Bird in Hand, 320 Broadway
Magna Carta, 113 W. 2nd St.
ABC Books, 950 Mangrove
The Bookstore, 118 Main St.
Made in Chico, 127 W. 3rd St.
Bidwell Supply Company, 800 Bruce Road
Roger can be contacted at rlederer@csuchico.edu and 530-228-9033
Carol can be contacted at cburr@csuchico.edu and 530-828-1595
Author: Dr. Roger Lederer is Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at California State University, Chico, whose interests are ecology, science education, and ornithology. He has written Field Biology and Ecology, Pacific Coast Bird Finder, Bird Finder, Birds of New England, Birds of Bidwell Park, Amazing Birds, Latin for Bird Lovers, Beaks, Bones, and Bird Song, and Art of the Bird, as well as thirty scientific publications. Dr. Lederer taught ornithology and ecology, consulted for government and private agencies, and volunteered for envi- ronmental organizations and schools. He has presented hundreds of public presentations and through his website Ornithology.com been used as a resource by BBC, National Geographic, National Public Radio, the Guinness Book of World Records, Real Simple Magazine, the Weather Channel, Canada Public Radio, and many other organizations. He was the first Endowed Professor of Environmental Literacy at CSU, Chico and served as Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences and Dean of the College of Natural Sciences. Dr. Lederer has traveled to over 100 countries and served as lecturer on several cruise lines.
Illustrator: Dr. Carol Burr is Professor Emerita of English at California State University, Chico, where she taught literature classes, developed the Women’s Studies program and the University Honors Program, served as English Department Chair and Director of the Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies. She edited and published Unstill Lives: Women of Northern California and Feeling for Place and coauthored Latin for Bird Lovers. She is also an artist and has worked primarily in watercolor. She illustrated The Birds of Bidwell Park and The Trees of Bidwell Park using pen, colored
Written by Roger J. Lederer, PhD Illustrated by Carol E. Burr, PhD
pencils, watercolor, and acrylic. She is active in the commu- nity, serving in many local organizations such as the League of Women Voters, Soroptimist International, the Discovery Shoppe, and is one of the longest serving members (over 20 years) of Bidwell Park’s Ambassadors program.