Families end summer with ice cream and nature

CHICO — A pairing of ice cream and nature marked summer’s end Saturday for families at the Chico Creek Nature Center Ice Cream Social, where they learned about the natural world with a scoop of chocolate or vanilla.

As little ones are expected to return to their school desks this week, the center’s annual event returned with nature walks, face painting, a photo booth and talks about the center’s animals.

Inside the Janeece Webb Living Animal Museum, 12-year-old kingsnake Coral, named after its deadly lookalike, was brought out for families to view and pet. She was a familiar face to 3-year-old Iris Vanduzer, who put out two fingers to pet the snake.

“We wanted to come pet the snake, and she got to walk right in an do it,” said Iris’ mom, Reena Vanduzer. “We waited a whole year.”

Each year, the Nature Center hosts its ice cream social one week before school starts in Chico, said CARD outreach specialist Erin Horst.

Priming for the learning environment, children listened to Ryan Nettles, assistant director of animal care for the center, talk about Coral the snake and her reptilian cousin John the tortoise, who was a bit sleepy in his nocturnal cycle.

Nettles compared the reptiles, showing to children how different their scales feel, offering them a chance to pet them with two fingers out.

“John is a reptile, and like all reptiles, he has scales … big armor scales, right here, that he’ll use for protection,” Nettles said. “Are you guys ready to pet John?”

Children cheered, “Yes!”

Horst said nature talks are given at the Chico Creek Nature Center about their animals; this month’s animal ambassador is Luna the western screech owl. The center also hosts preschool programs and summer camps to educate the public about nature and animals.

Outside, families got a close look with nature walks through Bidwell Park, learning about local plant life and animals that inhabit the park. When not learning about nature, kids partook in a bounce house and listened to covers of The Beatles by local musical duo Emma and Will.

Scoops of Shubert’s ice cream were well enjoyed — along with crafts made by children like Maeve Horton, 3, who created a little fairy house with cardboard and flower petals. It will serve as home for “Bluey and Tinkerbell,” her favorites, Horton said.