The county's summer population of black crowned night herons may winter in the southern United States, Mexico or Central America. Photo by Barbara Bridges.

CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK – Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association (CLSPIA) is pleased that it can continue to bring educational and entertaining Saturday afternoon programs to the community through September.

Although an extremely busy month for Lake County with a county fair, Bluegrass Festival at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, and a Pear Festival, there are those who still prefer to spend an hour or two in the beautiful environment of Clear Lake State Park as it goes from summer mode to fall tranquility.

“Winged Migration” is very appropriate for the 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5 program, as Lake County has been witnessing migration through the area for some weeks.

Many birds that go far into Alaska and Canada to breed and nest start their southern journeys as soon as the young are fledged and strong enough to start the trip to wintering grounds. This astonishing film uses no special effects, yet gives 89-minutes of magical soaring with the birds. Can anything be more exhilarating?

The film is by French director Jacques Perrin and his international crew of dedicated filmmakers.

Mark your calendar for the other great programs scheduled for September: on Sept. 12 view “Sharing the Joy of Nature” with Joseph Cornell, a film dedicated to all ages, children, teachers, parents and grandparents; on Sept. 19 reacquaint yourself with the American white pelican, our famous winter bird of Clear Lake, a slide presentation by Leona Butts; on Sept. 26 John Zimmerman of Taylor Observatory will present another exciting all family program on Lake County night skies. All Saturday auditorium programs begin at 1:30 p.m.

On Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5 and 6, the visitor center hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

During the remainder of September, the visitor center will be open only on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park itself remains open.

As you continue to follow the California budget situation, you undoubtedly realize the perilous position of the funding of the state parks. Sacramento has yet to determine which parks will actually close.

Therefore, although we invite people to the visitor center for visits and to attend programs without an entrance fee charge, it is time now to say that we would appreciate it if those who can would pay the entrance fee now determined to be $8 per car. That fee goes directly to the park system.

All funds from purchases in the visitor center gift shop go toward natural history education and maintaining the museum. Annual passes are back on sale at the existing price of $125.

In future months, additional fee and pass increases are possible as state parks assesses how partnership program stretches the reduced budget funding to help keep parks open.

Both Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Associations will continue to ask the community to write letters to elected state representatives and to sign petitions asking that all state parks remain open.

Visit www.clearlakestatepark.org for great photos, activity schedule and park information.

Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.