Nestled in Carmichael at 5325 Engle Road, the Koobs Nature Area is a nearly five‑acre wildlife oasis—a peaceful retreat built on the legacy of Earl J. Koobs, a beloved local science educator. Since 2016, the Kiwanis Club of Carmichael has stewarded it as a vibrant site for education and community events including Bug’s Day each October.
Bug’s Day, scheduled this year for Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is part of their monthly theme-based public open days (October = Bugs Day) that run March through October, excluding July and August due to heat. The day is designed for kids and families to observe, build, and play around insects and other small creatures.
Attendees can trace the lifecycle of a ladybug via art stations, hunt for stick insects in the riparian understory, and create bug‑shaped collages from leaves and acorns collected on the trails. Science tables staffed by volunteer naturalists introduce themes like insect metamorphosis and pollinator importance. These are not passive exhibits—most children are crouched at pond edges peering at dragonfly nymphs before someone explains their role in the ecosystem.
A standout moment from a previous Bug’s Day: a group of preschoolers gathered at a magnifier table to watch ants carry crumbs across a plastic bridge. One boy declared solemnly, “These ants are stronger than me”—as his teacher explained teamwork in nature. Nearby, a volunteer guided a young duo in constructing a “bug hotel” from twigs and pinecones to take home, encouraging young conservationists to create mini‑habitats in their backyard.
The Koobs Nature Area itself offers shady trails, multiple ponds, and pollinator‑attracting flowering native plants—perfect terrain for encountering moths, hoverflies, and beetles beyond the scheduled activity areas. With picnic benches and quiet natural buffers, families can snack, reflect, or chat with local docents.
Bug’s Day succeeds because it’s not just a festival—it’s a micro‑ecosystem turned into an educational playground. It blends art with entomology, casual exploration with structured learning, and outdoor fun with accessible design. For families in Sacramento and Carmichael, it’s a highlight of autumn—a day when the smallest creatures cast the biggest spell.
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