WRI opens registration for Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, seeks award nominees

LEAVENWORTH – As the Wenatchee River Institute’s (WRI) annual Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest gets closer to its May celebrations, registration has opened to attend field trips as well as the keynote presentation. WRI is also now accepting nominations for its Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest Founders’ Award.

Pre-festival activities will begin with birding field trips to Ohme Gardens and Waterfront Park from May 13 to 15. These trips are free to attend and will have binoculars on loan, making them ideal for beginner birders.

Bird Fest will be held May 16 - 19, with birding field trips, workshops, and community events offered from sunup to sundown nearly every day. Bird enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view birds via foot, bike, and boat across the region. The festival will also offer workshops that focus on geology, flora, and art.

Saturday night’s keynote presentation is “Wild Stories from the History of Bird Migration Research,” presented by Walla Walla-based science writer Rebecca Heisman. Heisman is the author of Flight Paths, a book about the creative techniques scientists have used to study migration and its importance to bird conservation. The presentation will be a hybrid event, offered in person and via Zoom at 7 p.m. on May 18.

Bird Fest participants will also be able to make nominations for the Founders’ Award until Apr. 21. The award celebrates dedicated volunteers and will be considered for anyone who has provided significant time and energy to support Bird Fest goals and tasks, developed a policy or process changes that contributed to event expansion or efficiency, has been a longtime Bird Fest volunteer, or contributed through community science efforts such as field trips or data collection and analysis. Nominations are open for two categories: individual and professional.

Prices for each event vary, but registration is required for most Bird Fest activities. More information, registration, and the nomination form can be found at wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest/. Questions about the event can also be directed to programs@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. 

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media