Click here for a copy of Saturday's Family Nature Fair schedule in a printable PDF format. Refer to Legend Below for Icon Explanation

Link to Schedules for these days:     Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Meet for all walks and field trips at Aviary unless noted otherwise.

Saturday Family Nature Fair Presentations

In the Nature Niche (Tent) on the Flyway

Family Nature Fair
Saturday, April 28                     
Cost: Free
Walks starting at 8am                           
Activities: 10am - 2pm                                       
You don’t need to be registered for the festival to attend. Just bring the kids and enjoy. Check in at the children’s registration booth for a complete schedule, nametags, and 10 free activity tickets per child. Additional tickets can be purchased for fifty cents each. We will be crafting bird feeders, building birdhouses, and playing games that make learning fun. Special presentations geared to the family will enlighten you. Live animals will delight the curious. Everyone is welcome to this “wild” family outing.
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Introduction to Birding for Kids                                      
Nikki Lober
8am – 10am
Some of the top birders today started their interest as a child. Once introduced to birding, it’s easy to become a life-long birder and this is a fun way to begin that journey. After engaging activities, the kids will take a short walk to practice binocular use and identify their first birds. Recommended for ages 7 to 12yrs.
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Beginning Birding Walk for Adults
Kathe Anderson
Saturday, April 28
Departure: 8am Return: 10:30am
Rating: 2 Cost: Free
The best way to learn birding is to go with others. Not only do you learn
identification skills but also how to bird effectively and ethically. This is a rare
opportunity to go with a top birder at no cost. Let Kathe show you the basics
that just might lead to a life-long love of birding and the outdoors. This is
meant to start non-birders on the path to birding. Beginners only please.
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Centennial Celebration: Dedication & Tree Planting
10:30am – 11:30am
We are honored to be chosen as an Official Arizona Centennial Event. Join us for the planting of the centennial tree here at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
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Early Naturalist in the Verde Valley                              
Fort Verde State Historic Park
Noon – 1pm
In our continuing celebration of Arizona’s Centennial, we want to highlight the significant role the early naturalists stationed at military forts in the Verde Valley. These men were some of the first to study and name some of the unique species found here.
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Monarch Madness                                                            
Gail Morris
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Are there monarchs in Arizona? You bet! But we may be losing them. Learn first-hand how we can help preserve the monarch migration. Gail Morris of the Southwest Monarch Study, will bring facts and fun activities about these beautiful butterflies.
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In the Bird’s Nest (Tent) on the Flyway

Venomous Critters                                                           
Zen Mocarski
10am – 11am
We share our world with some of the most misunderstood critters. With knowledge and understanding, fear is replaced by respect and maybe even a little admiration.
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It’s a Buggy World                                                             
Dave Smith
11:30am – 12:30pm
What fun to learn about our smallest friends. Take a look at the world of arthropods: insects, crustaceans, arachnids, and myriapods. Dave will take you down to the river in search of these fascinating critters.
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Scouting for Butterflies                                                   
Adrian Grimaldi
1pm – 2pm
Although our butterfly expert will be gearing this presentation to the boy and girl scouts’ merit badges, it will be fun and a great learning experience for everyone.
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SPECIAL PRESENTATION
In Celebration of the Arizona Centennial:
“A’Birdin’ on a Bronco” with Florence Merriam Bailey-
Played by Dena Greenwood
Saturday, April 28                     
Location: RDU              
2:30pm                                    
Cost: Free
Florence Merriam Bailey was one of the early women pioneering naturalists who first came west to document the bird life. Her book, A’Birdin’ on a Bronco, is the inspiration for this presentation. Dena Greenwood is magnificent!

 

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Mission: The Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival provides a unique recreational experience to anyone interested in the natural world and fosters awareness of the importance of habitat for the enrichment of all life in the Verde Valley.

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