Child-Friendly Events at Galveston FeatherFest; 7th Annual Birding Festival Runs April 2-5, 2009

Today's children and young people will be tomorrow's bird enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and scientists. How can we as a nation expect our youth to reach their full potential without getting them involved in their daily lives and experiences with natural habitats, nature, and science? We can't, but Galveston FeatherFest is providing a phenomenal opportunity to learn about, explore, and visit Texas Coastal Habitats during Spring Migration of hundreds of bird species during their 7th Annual Birding Festival - Galveston FeatherFest 2009.

The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council has done an outstanding job of putting together a 4 day schedule of events for FeatherFest that spans the professional birder, natural photographer, amateur birder, hobby birder, novice birder, natural enthusiast, singles, couples, young, those blessed with many year on earth, families, and even children and teens. There is a 5 page schedule of events reaching all ages and levels. In addition to bird centered events, there are also events focusing on butterflies, dragon and damsel flies, lagoons, a turtle research laboratory tour, optics, and digital photography to illustrate a tiny glimpse of the vast variety of events and topics available.

According to FeatherFest Committee Advisor, Mort Vollor, the best things to bring children to would include "the boat tour, the raptor show (a live birds of prey exhibition), and the Birder's Bazaar." There is a registration for the festival Thursday through Saturday if you plan on participating in any combination of workshops, field trips, and the social. Registration can be completed online until Wednesday night, April 1, 2009, after this registration can be completed at the event. Sunday only guests pay $0 in registration fees.

The Raptor Exhibit - the birds of prey show - is free. Voller highly recommends the show, "big birds of prey, a wonderful selection of birds, one of the biggest shows in the nation." This show takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 10 am, 12 pm, and 3pm and on Sunday at 10 am and 12 pm at Strand and 23rd Street in Galveston. This exhibit is completely free, no registration required. A smaller selection of the birds from this show will be featured at the Kid's Grand Festival too; however, to see all of the birds in the full show you will need to come to the FeatherFest Raptor Exhibit. A Raptor Exhibit like this is something that you won't want to miss as it appeals to both boys and girls of all ages. For the price - free - and the selection of birds of prey - this event deserves a space in your calendar this week.

The Birder's Bazaar featuring vendor booths covering topics including birding, nature, nature themed jewelry and art, non-profit causes, and more is free as well as the presentation of the 2009 FeatherFest Photo Contest at Old Galveston Square in the Old Greenhouse. The Grand Prize Winning Photos as well as all who placed in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for the weekly contests leading up to the Grand Prize selection will be beautifully displayed for the public to view. "A new contest category for youth in grades Kindergarten through eight has been added through a partnership with The Grand Kids Festival, presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House" according to 2009 FeatherFest Photo Contest. Bringing children to this art exhibit is an excellent way to improve their appreciation of art, nature, and birding.

There is a FeatherFest Family Package Boat Tour and also a Harbor Boat Tour that kids might enjoy. If you bring your children, and some are under 12 ask for a discount. Depending on space, you might be able to receive one. More information on the boat tours and other events, workshops, and field trips can be found at www.galvestonfeatherfest.com Older children might be interested in other events listed on the site, teens might be interested in some of the birding trips or workshops, especially those on butterflies, dragonflies, and turtles. Space is limited and in some of the workshops and field trips - parents will need to accompany younger teens and well behaved children.

There is something for everyone at this year's Galveston Featherfest 2009 - 7th Annual Birding Festival - it's a once a year event during spring migration that you won't want to miss. There is more information on featured experts, sponsors, birding brochure & checklist, directions, lodging, and more at www.galvestonfeatherfest.com

Mort Voller, FeatherFest Advisor Committee
The 7th Annual Birding Festival Planned for Galveston Island, Tx ,The 7th Annual Galveston Island FeatherFest