The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) will host the 2021 Wings and Wetlands Festival March 24-26. This year’s festival will be a virtual event with Zoom classes taking place featuring several speakers covering a wide range of birding topics. Registrants will also experience web socials and be educated via on-demand web resources.
Registration is $20 per person and be accessed online at http://www.wingsandwetlands.com.
“We are excited to continue the Wings and Wetlands tradition this year, even without gathering in person at our awesome wetlands,” said KWEC Director Curtis Wolf. “From health and humor to bird identification and diversity, the lineup of speakers and resources is sure to speak to anyone interested in birds, Kansas wetlands and conservation.”
Wolf said live Zoom programs will be offered each evening.
Kenn Kaufman, renowned field guide author, naturalist and artist, will headline the evening presentations with a program titled “Kansas Wetlands: Crossroads of the Bird World.” Alvaro Jaramillo, biologist, conservationist and guide, will present on the psychological benefits of birding. Sharon Stiteler will provide a comical presentation titled “Today’s Office.”
Other presenters and topics include:
• Bob Gress with “The Diversity of Birds on Kansas Wetlands”
• Gene Young with “Shorebird Identification”
• Jason Wagner with “Past and Future Management of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area”
• Mike Oldham with “Overview of Quivira NWR”
• Chuck Otte with “Be a Better Birder: Techniques and Tricks for the Beginning Birder”
• Pat Silovsky with “Masters of the Sky: Raptors”
• Sharon Stiteler with “SmartPhone Birding”
“Beyond the scheduled presentations, there will also be interactive Zoom socials each evening to allow participants time to interact with fellow bird enthusiasts,” said Wolf.
He added that the various on-demand web links will also provide registrants with added birding skills, local birding information and advice for planning their next visit to the central Kansas wetlands.
Numerous organizations help organize the event, including the Kansas Wetlands Education Center; the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau; Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism; The Nature Conservancy; and Kansas Birding Festival Inc.
For more information, visit www.wingsandwetlands.com or call the KWEC, 877-243-9268.
