Wings Over Willapa Festival

This annual birding and nature festival is a celebration of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge’s many species and diverse habitats with an amazing array of tours, workshops, and other events all around the Long Beach Peninsula and Willapa Bay. This multi-day event is held at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and other natural sites on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula.

The festival has something for everyone who loves to explore the outdoors.  For bird lovers there are birdwatching trips (land and boat) all weekend, guided by experts in the field. Family-friendly events start on Friday with a live bird of prey talk by Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue.  Saturday brings Nature Play Day, a free event with games and crafts for kids and kids at heart.  If you want a little art in your life, sign up for the nature-based pottery and needle felting classes. 

A barge trip to Long Island, the largest estuarine island in the north Pacific, starts Saturday morning offering a chance to get up close to an ancient old-growth Cedar Grove after a vigorous hike through the island’s interior. There are also entertaining and informative presentations ranging from gull identification to technologies that can be used to enhance your birding experience.

Saturday evening’s keynote to be announced.  Heavy hors d’oeuvres, a drink and a cash bar will be offered at the keynote event. There will also be a silent auction featuring arts, trips, and gift certificates.

Hosted by the Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a $5 registration is required.  Some of the classes and tours are free while nominal fees are charged for others. Space is limited for some events so register soon at WingsOverWillapa.org.

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