May 7th at 7pm

Relax after a day of bird watching with nature yoga at the Science Center. Aviva will be leading bird-themed yoga in the atrium of the Science Center on May 7th at 7pm. Come discover what birds can teach us about stamina and resilience.

Don’t have a yoga mat? Don’t worry. Let us know and we will try to have a few extra on hand. 

New Harbor/South Fill 

Sunday May 7

Grab your bikes (or your walking shoes) for a bird tour of the harbor. Tour-De-Peeps starts at the Fishermans Memorial and then journeys around the harbor where you can visit all three of the Science Center's activity stations. Learn about bird adaptations, look for birds,  and make bird-themed crafts. 

Framed Whimbrel Needlefelt Workshop

May 7, Sunday 2-6 pm

Create a framed wool-painted shorebird, as you learn the basics of needle felting. Our subject will be the Whimbrel, a migratory bird that travels to the Copper River Delta region each spring. 

The class Instructional Fee $10, Materials Fee ($65) including all fibers, felt background, mat, and frame.  Use of needle felting tools included in class fee.    TOTAL $75

Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants.   Thank you!! 

8-hour Challenge 1:00 pm-9:00 pm May 7th. Meet at the Reluctant Fisherman restaurant at 9:00pm for tallies and awards.

To join, pick up your Birding Challenge Packet at the Welcome Table!

1. Checklists must be turned in to officials before 9:00 pm on May 9th at Reluctant Fisherman restaurant..

2. Teams that fail to meet the 9:00 pm deadline will forfeit one bird from their official total for every five-minute period that they are late.

3. Make sure that you double-check your checklist to verify that all birds recorded have been checked off. Totals are considered final when submitted. NO ALTERATIONS OR CORRECTIONS MAY BE MADE AFTER CHECKLISTS HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER TO OFFICIALS.

4. In the event of a tie, the place will be shared.

Please return the form and entry fee (fee only applies for non-festival Registrants) to the Shorebird Festival Welcome Table. Make checks payable to the CORDOVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Contact Thea Thomas (907)424-5266 with questions or if you’re looking for teammates.

Check out the lower atrium of the Cordova Center on both May 6th & 7th to see the beautiful wares being sold by a few of Cordova’s own Artists & makers!

Their beautiful ware will be the perfect souvenir to bring home and remember your time in Alaska’s hidden treasure, Cordova Alaska.

Part of Cordova’s Regenerative Tourism Strategy is to give our visitors the opportunity to support local businesses through their purchases! This market will give you the chance to not only find an incredible one-of-a-kind item to bring home with you, but also allow you to invest in our locally-owned businesses! We can’t wait to see you there!

Nature Journaling at Alaganik- Field Session

Alaganik Slough:  Sunday, May 7, 8-10 am -Meet in front of the Cordova Center 30 minutes prior to class starting time if needing a ride, or meet at location at time indicated.

Class fee $45 (42.75 after festival discount) Ages 14 and up

Join John Muir Laws in the field for an opportunity to participate in  a guided field sketching experience. We will first spend time with the guide at each field location, and then branch off and begin our session with Jack.

Dress appropriately. Be prepared for cold temperatures and inclement weather. Transportation is not provided. We can carpool however, so if transportation needed, we can help you get there.  

Parents of interested nature journalists, ages 8-14 may bring along 1 child per registration, and the registration fee for that child will be reduced, 

$24 ($22.80 after festival discount) Please register for children at the shop

Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants.   Thank you!! 

In-Person. Included in Paid Festival Registration.

Drive your bubble group or find a carpool out to Alaganik Slough to meet up with local guides and see shorebirds and waterfowl out on the Copper River Delta.  The Slough is accessible with boardwalks and viewing platforms. Dress for weather.

Join Cordova Arts and Pageants for a lively concert featuring Blackwater Railroad Trio at the Pioneer Igloo, a 2-minute walk from that evening’s festival speakers.

Blackwater Railroad Trio is made up of Tyson Davis(Guitar/vocals), Ben Sayers(Bass/vocals), and Kyle Comeau(Keys/vocals). Based out of Seward, AK, the band is celebrating 10 years of making music in Alaska. These three make up the creative core and the "engine" that BWRR's waring sound is built upon. BWRR's trio performances take you on a dynamic ride through the world of Americana, Folk, Rock, Country and really all manners of American Roots Music. The Trio spends its long winter months, dialing in three part harmonies that contributes to BWRR Trio's, at times, full band sound. "These shows are unique because with the stripped down line-up, we can let these songs be vulnerable when they need to be and raucous when they demand to be."(Davis) 

     With unique/eclectic covers and dozens of beloved originals, BWRR Trio has been thrilling venues full of fans all across Alaska and beyond! Come dance as the music starts. Come experience BWRR.

Tickets are $20 for festival registrants and $25 for non-registrants.

Shorebird registrants will receive a $5 discount at the door. If they get their ticket ahead of time, we'll give them $5 cash back at the door. 

Saturday, May 6, 7:30-8:30 pm. Library fireplace. 

Come join us following the speakers on Saturday evening for a shorebird sharing and journal show and tell.  Gather with other birders to share your viewing experiences, as well as your shorebird drawings and nature journaling from the festival weekend. Preregistration required.  Dessert will be served.

Facilitated by The Net Loft. Aaron Bowman will be helping moderate our discussion.

Session is not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space. 

SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE REGISTER BELOW!

Ivo Tejeda is executive director of Red de Observadores de Aves y Vida Silvestre de Chile (ROC). Through this organization, he has contributed to the development of eBird in Chile, the first Breeding Birds Atlas of Chile, and several shorebird and seabird monitoring and conservation projects. Recently, he has actively participated in the development and implementation of conservation planning initiatives, including Chile's National Bird Conservation Strategy, the Chilean Shorebird Conservation Plan, and the conservation plan for storm-petrels in northern Chile.

Rodd oversees TNC California’s Rewilding the Central Valley Strategy focused on developing water and land management solutions in the Central Valley to ensure nature and people get the water and habitat they need, when they need it.  Specifically, Rodd leads TNC’s teams focused on providing critical habitat on farmlands and wetlands for migratory birds where and when they need it most, as well as projects focused on strategic habitat restoration in the San Joaquin Valley to restore declining ecosystems and achieve sustainable water management. Rodd also co-leads some of TNC’s research projects with partners at Point Blue Conservation Science and Audubon California on shorebird migration and habitat needs along the Pacific Flyway. He has over 25 years of experience in wildlife research and natural resources conservation, with a B.A. in environmental conservation at the University of Colorado, an M.S. in biology at California State University, Long Beach, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis.

Virtual Option Available. In-Person at the Cordova Center

Monica Iglecia, U.S. Coordinator for Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture. Monica’s career and education have been dedicated to international bird and habitat conservation through applied science and collaborative partnerships from the site-level to the flyway scale. She believes we can do more when we work together and is committed to creating and supporting an environment where birds and people can thrive, in the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture service area and beyond.

 www.pacificbirds.org

In-Person. Included in Paid Festival Registration.

Drive yourself or arrange a carpool to the Hartney Bay Mudflats during the incoming high tide.  Meet local shorebird guides in brightly colored vests on the mudflats or explore on your own.

Nature Journaling at Hartney Bay- Field Session

Hartney Bay:  Saturday, May 6, 3-5 PM -Meet in front of the Cordova Center 30 minutes prior to class starting time if needing a ride, or meet at location at time indicated.

Class fee $45 (42.75 after festival discount) Ages 14 and up

Join John Muir Laws in the field for an opportunity to participate in  a guided field sketching experience. We will first spend time with the guide at each field location, and then branch off and begin our session with Jack.

Dress appropriately. Be prepared for cold temperatures and inclement weather. Transportation is not provided. We can carpool however, so if transportation needed, we can help you get there.  

Parents of interested nature journalists, ages 8-14 may bring along 1 child per registration, and the registration fee for that child will be reduced, 

$24 ($22.80 after festival discount) Please register for children at the shop

Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space. 

Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants.   Thank you!! 

Chris Webber
Big Year Presentation

My personal profile is pretty simple.  I was born in Cordova, raised in Washington state.  Spent my summers in Cordova fishing with my family.  I currently work for Alyeska pipeline in Valdez and my home is in Anchorage. Hobbies are traveling (have been to over 50 countries), scuba diving, hiking with our dogs, running, and of course bird watching. 

Big Year:
It’s been an incredible journey that’s taken me across 17 different states and just about every climate region imaginable. Some things didn’t quite go to plan but even more things worked out better than I could’ve imagined. It’s been an adventure I will be able to proudly look back on and say “what the hell was I thinking”? 🤣

1:30-1:40 Saturday May 6th

Marybeth will be reading a few bird-centric poems from her new collection tender gravity, and sharing a few tips for making poems from field notes. She'll also have copies of her books available for signing.

A short bio:

Marybeth Holleman’s newest book is the poetry collection tender gravity. She’s also author of The Heart of the Sound, co-author of Among Wolves, and co-editor of Crosscurrents North, among others. Her award-winning work has appeared in venues including Orion, Christian Science Monitor, Sierra, Literary Mama, ISLE/OUP, North American Review, AQR, zoomorphic, Minding Nature, The Guardian, and The Future of Nature. Raised in North Carolina’s Smokies, Marybeth transplanted to Alaska's Chugach Mountains after falling head over heels for Prince William Sound two years before the Exxon Valdez oil spill. She now lives in Anchorage, but spends as much time as possible kayaking and hiking in the wilds of Alaska, especially Prince William Sound and Denali, when she's not at home watching birds visit her heated birdbath. Visit her online at marybethholleman.com and on Instagram @mbhalaska

We offer unique gifts made by local Cordovan Native artists as well as from around the state of Alaska.

We are open Tuesday-Fri 10am-4pm with special hours Saturday May 6th 12-4pm

The Pioneer ladies will be selling homemade whole pies in the parking lot outside the Pioneer building on Sat., May  6 starting at 12:00.  Last year we sold out in a half hour.  $30 minimum is the suggested price.

Hey Cordova Shorebird Festival goers,

We are so excited to present you with an amazing array of our family's locally caught Copper River Salmon to taste. During this food tour you will meet us at a local eatery, Kayak Cafe, for an insightful presentation about our families fishery, and a tasting of our incredible salmon. You'll get to meet the fishermen and ask questions about Cordova, fishing, and much more!

Don't miss out on this hyper local experience and alaskan wild salmon tasting from the Copper River! From our boat to your table.

 Each person will need their own separate tasting party ticket to this event.

The tasting will be located at:

Kayak Cafe, 524 2nd St. Cordova Alaska 99574

This is a 3 minute walk from the Festival location at the Cordova Center.

If you are a registered Shorebird Festival Attendee, you can use your discount code provided in your registration email to get a discount to this event!

From Field to Finish: Tips and Techniques

Saturday, May 6 | 11AM - 1PM

This session will provide help and suggestions on how to complete journal entries back in the studio after being in the field.

Cordova Community Center, Room A/B. 

Class Fee $40  ($38 after festival discount) 

Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space. 

Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants.   Thank you!! 

Check out the lower atrium of the Cordova Center on both May 6th & 7th to see the beautiful wares being sold by a few of Cordova’s own Artists & makers!

Their beautiful wares will be the perfect souvenir to bring home and remember your time in Alaska’s hidden treasure, Cordova Alaska.

Part of Cordova’s Regenerative Tourism Strategy is to give our visitors the opportunity to support local businesses through their purchases! This market will give you the chance to not only find an incredible one-of-a-kind item to bring home with you but also allow you to invest in our locally-owned businesses! We can’t wait to see you there!

In-Person. Included in Paid Festival Registration.

Drive your bubble group or find a carpool out to Alaganik Slough to meet up with local guides and see shorebirds and waterfowl out on the Copper River Delta.  The Slough is accessible with boardwalks and viewing platforms. Dress for weather.

Nature Journaling at Alaganik- Field Session

Alaganik Slough:  Saturday, May 6, 8-10 am -Meet in front of the Cordova Center 30 minutes prior to class starting time if needing a ride, or meet at location at time indicated.

Class fee $45 (42.75 after festival discount) Ages 14 and up

Join John Muir Laws in the field for an opportunity to participate in  a guided field sketching experience. We will first spend time with the guide at each field location, and then branch off and begin our session with Jack.

Dress appropriately. Be prepared for cold temperatures and inclement weather. Transportation is not provided. We can carpool however, so if transportation needed, we can help you get there.  

Parents of interested nature journalists, ages 8-14 may bring along 1 child per registration, and the registration fee for that child will be reduced, 

$24 ($22.80 after festival discount) Please register for children at the shop

Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space. 

Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants.   Thank you!! 

Join us for a night of painting at the Alaskan on Friday, May 5th at 8 pm.

Get in on this awesome experience led by the incredible Jessicca Morningstar.

To book this class simply call Jessicca at (907) 429-7997

Virtual Option Available. Included in Paid Festival Registration.

This Year's Keynote Speaker!

Gerrit Vyn is a wildlife photographer and cinematographer for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a Senior Fellow at the International League of Conservation 

Photographers and has been photographing birds and wildlife professionally for the last 25 years. His most recent book, The Living Bird, was a New York Times Bestseller and National Outdoor Book Award winner. Gerrit’s work is published regularly in magazines, including National Geographic, BBC Wildlife and Audubon, and has been featured in media outlets including NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Morning Edition, and The Seattle Times. Visit him online at GerritVynPhoto.com and on Instagram @gerritvyn.

Virtual Option Available. Included in Paid Festival Registration.

Dr. Eduardo Palacios is the Shorebird Research Biologist for the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California (CICESE). Eduardo completed his PhD in 2001 from UC Davis. He has spent the last 25 years working as a researcher in Conservation Biology with CICESE. He implements bird monitoring and conservation projects with different NGOs across the US and Mexico, including Pro Esteros, Pronatura Noroeste, and Terra Peninsular. Eduardo also works with the Manomet Center for Conservation Science as the Shorebird Recovery Project Coordinator for Northwest Mexico, and wrote the Recovery Plan for shorebirds for the region. He recently helped secure the legal protection of four shorebird species and currently is coordinating the Point Blue Conservation Science’s Migratory Shorebird Project in Mexico.

Eduardo Palacios - Sonoran Joint Venture (sonoranjv.org)

About the Presenter: Erin Cooper, a Wildlife Biologist for the Forest Service, has lived and worked in Cordova for 24 years. Her work has ranged from shorebirds and waterfowl to mountain goats and moose with a focus on ecosystems of the Copper River Delta. Since 2001 she has been a core member of the Copper River International Migratory Bird Initiative, promoting international conservation for migratory birds and their habitats throughout the Pacific Flyway.

Nature Journaling at Hartney Bay- Field Session

Hartney Bay:  Friday, May 5, 2:30-4:30PM -Meet in front of the Cordova Center 30 minutes prior to class starting time if needing a ride, or meet at location at time indicated.

Class fee $45 (42.75 after festival discount) Ages 14 and up

Join John Muir Laws in the field for an opportunity to participate in  a guided field sketching experience. We will first spend time with the guide at each field location, and then branch off and begin our session with Jack.

Dress appropriately. Be prepared for cold temperatures and inclement weather. Transportation is not provided. We can carpool however, so if transportation needed, we can help you get there.  

Parents of interested nature journalists, ages 8-14 may bring along 1 child per registration, and the registration fee for that child will be reduced, 

$24 ($22.80 after festival discount) Please register for children at the shop

Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space. 

Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants.   Thank you!! 

In-Person. Included in Paid Festival Registration.

Drive yourself or arrange a carpool to the Hartney Bay Mudflats during the incoming high tide.  Meet local shorebird guides in brightly colored vests on the mudflats or explore on your own.