We don’t know about you, but spending nearly all day at Cottonwood’s Dead Horse State Ranch Park learning about and seeing birds in a lush, natural setting is our idea of a perfect spring day. Fortunately, Verde Valley residents and visitors can do just that at the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival from April 23 to 27. “It’s a celebration about the rich wildlife and all the beautiful birds that are migrating at that time of year,” says Susan Van Norman, development and stewardship director of the nonprofit Friends of the Verde River. The Cottonwood-based group organizes the festival and aims to preserve the Verde River. “It brings together birders and nature enthusiasts, and we have experts for guided bird walks, and we have wildlife tours. We have workshops, keynote speaker presentations.”
Attendees can look forward to a guided outing led by local writer Roger Naylor, a movie night about beavers and plenty of other programming that centers on the river, birds and nature. Susan tells us that people travel as far as Germany to attend the festival, which has been going on for 26 years. That’s a long time for an event to go on. Susan tells us that there are two things she loves about the event’s longevity: Birders from everywhere flocking to the festival and seeing people of all ages participating. On Saturday, admission is free as part of Family Nature Day. “The Family Nature Day seems to be very enjoyable. It keeps everybody outside, gets them introduced and immersed in the community sciences. They get to see we have live birds, raptors. Groups come in. There’s something for everyone. Locals love it, and people coming from the outside really look forward to this event,” she says.
One thing about the festival is that you can always look forward to new programming. This year’s theme is Important Birding Areas or places that are considered essential bird habitats. Northern Arizona is home to a few of them. Trip leaders will be taking guests to these areas and teaching them more about them. The festival, which has many different components, appeals to a wide swath of people. “It appeals to all ages,” says Susan of the event. “Definitely, the seasoned birders, but there’s always new birders … If it’s not a birding trip, it’s a nature trip. It’s right next to the river. It’s a great day to be outside.” – Teresa K. Traverse
SEDONA CALENDAR: Events, activities, shows, happenings
