The 19th Annual Wings & Wetlands Weekend - A Six County Festival
O'Brien County Conservation Board Headquarters, O'Brien County
Saturday, May 11, 2013
The Annual Wings and Wetlands Festival is scheduled for a Saturday, May 11, 2013. Welcome the coming of spring, celebrate National Wetland Month, and explore the unique prairie pothole region of Northwest Iowa.
This festival is coordinated over a six county region in Northwest Iowa - Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, O’Brien and Palo Alto. The Wings & Wetlands Festival offers a wide selection of programs and activities for people of all ages and interests throughout the region.
Most of the events for the festival in O’Brien County will be held on Saturday, May 11. The Trumpeter Swan program will be the exception. Plans are underway to bring LIVE swans to the county for programming. Details on times and locations are still to be determined. Watch for the opportunity to take part in this special program. Learn about these awesome birds and the wetland habitat in which they live. You will even have an opportunity to feel the silky softness of a juvenile bird as you enjoy a personal encounter!
On Saturday morning, May 11, at 7:30 a.m. join in the search for migrating songbirds. Meet for breakfast at the Prairie Heritage Center. In past years, a short hike down the path has netted over 30 species in less than 1/2 hour! We will also carpool to Wanata State Park in Peterson. Join the group for an early morning birding treat.
At 1:00 P.M. enjoy a program highlighting the work of Ding Darling – one of Iowa’s most prominent conservation heroes! Also enjoy a traveling exhibit of his conservation cartoons that will be on display at the Prairie Heritage Center through mid-June.
Meet at the Prairie Heritage Center at 3:30 P.M. to carpool to nearby Bertam Park to celebrate "Iowa’s Wildflower Week" with a spring wildflower walk through the woods and the prairie.
Then it’s back to the center at 7:00 p.m. for the wrap up of the weekend. Enjoy the movie “The Big Year,” sure to include some birding laughs and excitement. Popcorn will be provided!
We encourage you, your friends, and your family to join in one or all of the free events throughout O’Brien County Conservation Board’s Wings & Wetlands Celebration.
