John and Annie Bidwell recognized the incredible natural beauty of Bidwell Park and unselfishly donated the land to the citizens of Chico in 1905. This gift came with a request that the people preserve the natural qualities of the Park for future generations to enjoy.
John and Annie Bidwell
Mrs. Bidwell's one idea, to preserve this beautiful natural park for the benefit it will work to humanity, believing that such grand scenery embodying as it does valley and mountains, creek and canyon, trees and vines, cannot but tend to make people more appreciative of nature and therefore better men and women.— Chico Daily Record Editorial, Saturday, July 1, 1905
Upper Bidwell Park in its natural state provides a unique opportunity for people to learn about geology, soils, hydrology, plants, animals and cultural history. Upper Park has a long tradition of serving as an outdoor classroom for local schools and other educational organizations.
Upper Park provides a wilderness experiences for nature lovers without traveling far from town. Passive recreation, when conducted responsibly, is compatible with preserving the natural qualities that keep Upper Park wild.
The diverse biological communities of Upper Park provide habitat to thousands of species including many which are considered to be rare, threatened, or endangered. These habitats are also the ancestral home of the Mechoopda Maidu Indians.
White-stemmed clarkia
The biological communities of Upper Bidwell Park include oak woodlands (Blue Oaks, Black Oaks, Canyon Oak, and Interior Live Oak), riparian woodlands (Valley Oak, Fremont's Cottonwood, Western Sycamore, and mixed willow), Wetlands (vernal pools, seasonal wetlands, and perennial spring/seep wetlands), chaparral, grasslands, seasonal drainages and Big Chico Creek
