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404 1st St
Cordova, AK, 99574
United States
907-424-7260
We invite you to join the mass migration of Pacific shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl and songbirds. Their shoreside respite is framed against the pristine backdrop of coastal glaciers and mountains, the breathtaking vista that we call home. Come armed with your binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, sketch books and pencils and leave with a heart full of memories.
Below is the initial Schedule for the 2024 Shorebird Festival to help with your travel plans. We are recommending festival travelers fly in on May 2nd and leave on May 6th. If festival goers would like to stay an extra couple of days to view peak migration time we suggest an itinerary of May 2nd-8th to enjoy the full scope of the migration. Keep an eye out for the official schedule with detailed events to be posted as we get closer to the festival.
All Ages and Family Friendly From Hartney Bay to Orca Adventure Lodge
Bike 6.1 miles, then run/walk 3 miles
OR
Run 9.1 Miles
There are three separate outdoor field sessions. We will likely be visiting Hartney Bay, Three Mile Bay, and Alaganik Slough. Outdoor Sessions are subject to weather conditions and will meet in a classroom at the Cordova Center if weather is too harsh to meet outdoors.
Each session will include 30 minutes with a guide, 2 hours with Kim, and 30 minutes for outdoor post class wind down, before heading back to town. Outdoor sessions require a class material packet. If registering for more than one outdoor session, only one packet is required. ($35.00 packet fee includes required class booklet and Kim's streamline set of art tools she will be using in her outdoor sessions)
OUTDOOR SESSION SCHEDULE
Friday May 3, Outdoor Session 9-12 noon. $45
Saturday May 4, Outdoor Session 9-12 noon. $45
Sunday May 5, Outdoor Session 8-11 am $45
*Personally motivated 10-15 year old nature journalists may accompany a fully paid parent at a reduced rate for Saturday Sessions, with one discounted youth per fully paid registration. Accompanied Youth Scholarship Rate $24 ($22.80 after festival discount) There is a limited number of these youth spaces available. They will need to speak with Dotty first and purchase their own packet of supplies.
Indoor Sessions include 2 hour instructional classes followed by 1 hour Open Studio in classroom space for those who want to continue working on projects. Hot teas and snacks will be provided.
Indoor Classes will meet at Cordova Community Center, Education Room
Quick and Easy Landscape Sketching. Learn beginner-friendly strategies for sketching landscapes and coastal habitats with Kim McNett. A small sketch goes a long way in documenting a sense of place and habitat in your field journal.
*Personally motivated 10-15 year old nature journalists may accompany a fully paid parent at a reduced rate for Saturday Sessions, with one discounted youth per fully paid registration. Accompanied Youth Scholarship Rate $24 ($22.80 after festival discount) There is a limited number of these youth spaces available. They will need to speak with Dotty first and purchase their own packet of supplies.
There are three separate outdoor field sessions. We will likely be visiting Hartney Bay, Three Mile Bay, and Alaganik Slough. Outdoor Sessions are subject to weather conditions and will meet in a classroom at the Cordova Center if weather is too harsh to meet outdoors.
Each session will include 30 minutes with a guide, 2 hours with Kim, and 30 minutes for outdoor post class wind down, before heading back to town. Outdoor sessions require a class material packet. If registering for more than one outdoor session, only one packet is required. ($35.00 packet fee includes required class booklet and Kim's streamline set of art tools she will be using in her outdoor sessions)
OUTDOOR SESSION SCHEDULE
Friday May 3, Outdoor Session 9-12 noon. $45
Saturday May 4, Outdoor Session 9-12 noon. $45
Sunday May 5, Outdoor Session 8-11 am $45
*Personally motivated 10-15 year old nature journalists may accompany a fully paid parent at a reduced rate for Saturday Sessions, with one discounted youth per fully paid registration. Accompanied Youth Scholarship Rate $24 ($22.80 after festival discount) There is a limited number of these youth spaces available. They will need to speak with Dotty first and purchase their own packet of supplies.
Meet at the Cordova Center for coffee and tea, then take a casual walk to birding hotspots near downtown. Bring your binoculars or a camera to practice your photography skills, a sketchpad to document it through art, or just enjoy the view.
This is a kids activity:
The Prince William Sound Science Center will be at Eyak Corporation's upper camping area at Hartney Bay,** exploring shorebirds and their adaptations through hands-on learning and play. Bring your beginning birders so they can get their feet wet in the wild world of birding. Open to kids of all ages and their caregivers.
Indoor Sessions include 2 hour instructional classes followed by 1 hour Open Studio in classroom space for those who want to continue working on projects. Hot teas and snacks will be provided.
Indoor Classes will meet at Cordova Community Center, Education Room
Quick and Easy Landscape Sketching. Learn beginner-friendly strategies for sketching landscapes and coastal habitats with Kim McNett. A small sketch goes a long way in documenting a sense of place and habitat in your field journal.
*Personally motivated 10-15 year old nature journalists may accompany a fully paid parent at a reduced rate for Saturday Sessions, with one discounted youth per fully paid registration. Accompanied Youth Scholarship Rate $24 ($22.80 after festival discount) There is a limited number of these youth spaces available. They will need to speak with Dotty first and purchase their own packet of supplies.
There are three separate outdoor field sessions. We will likely be visiting Hartney Bay, Three Mile Bay, and Alaganik Slough. Outdoor Sessions are subject to weather conditions and will meet in a classroom at the Cordova Center if weather is too harsh to meet outdoors.
Each session will include 30 minutes with a guide, 2 hours with Kim, and 30 minutes for outdoor post class wind down, before heading back to town. Outdoor sessions require a class material packet. If registering for more than one outdoor session, only one packet is required. ($35.00 packet fee includes required class booklet and Kim's streamline set of art tools she will be using in her outdoor sessions)
OUTDOOR SESSION SCHEDULE
Friday May 3, Outdoor Session 9-12 noon. $45
Saturday May 4, Outdoor Session 9-12 noon. $45
Sunday May 5, Outdoor Session 8-11 am $45
*Personally motivated 10-15 year old nature journalists may accompany a fully paid parent at a reduced rate for Saturday Sessions, with one discounted youth per fully paid registration. Accompanied Youth Scholarship Rate $24 ($22.80 after festival discount) There is a limited number of these youth spaces available. They will need to speak with Dotty first and purchase their own packet of supplies.
Photo by U.S. National Forest Service-Chugach National Forrest
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.
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!!
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!!
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!!
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!!
The Prince William Sound Science Center will be at Eyak Corporation's upper camping area at Hartney Bay exploring shorebirds and their adaptations through hands-on learning and play. Bring your beginning birders so they can get their feet wet in the wild world of birding. Open to kids of all ages and their caregivers.
Discover Cordova Participants should park in this upper campsite area by turning at the last right before the Hartney Bay bridge parking/Heney Ridge Trail parking area. See map below.
Meet at the Cordova Center for coffee and tea, then take a casual walk to birding hotspots near downtown. Bring your binoculars or a camera to practice your photography skills, a sketchpad to document it through art, or just enjoy the view.
Download the Agents of Discovery app and join the Forest Service in an interactive game to learn about shorebirds! Discover challenges along the entire Alaganik Slough Road. Once you reach the Alaganik Slough Recreation Area, discover additional challenges as you stroll the Pete Isleib Memorial Boardwalk. This challenge will be active until May 28th.
Sunday, May 8, 2022, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Hartney Bay, meet at the end of the paved road.
In-Person. Free and open to all.
Curious about the rich mudflat food that draws millions of shorebirds to Cordova each year? Have you ever wanted to try Nature Journaling?
Join PWSSC educators for a Nature Journaling gathering on at Hartney Bay! Novice and experienced nature journalers alike can come together and explore shorebird diets. There will be a nature journaling prompt to follow if you need inspiration or you can do your own thing. Come for a little or stay the whole time. No experience necessary. PWSSC will have basic supplies available, though you may want to bring something to sit on.
This event is free and open to adults and children of all ages, but kiddos 8 and younger will need caregiver assistance. This event is part of a series of nature journaling events that PWSSC will be hosting throughout the summer. Help us grow the nature journaling community in Cordova!
Power yourself from Hartney Bay to Orca Bay. Choose from:
9.1 mile run
Bike 6.1 miles, then run 3 miles
Meet at Hartney Bay at 11am. Ends at Orca Adventure Lodge property.
A great point-to-point adventure along a very scenic stretch of road. The fastest times will be published, but the prizes will go to the most average male and female times. That’s right, try to get the median/average time and you may win a fully customizable Copper River Fleece Jacket gift certificate.
Families are encouraged to participate together, or you might want to finish with a friend. All ages welcome. Free event. Not a relay.
Runners will start at 11 am sharp and bikers will start at 11:30 at Hartney Bay. All participants or their parents will need to sign a waiver, but this can happen the morning of the event. PLEASE get there a little earlier if you need to complete a waiver! It is recommended for participants to sign up in advance. There will be no shuttle service from Orca Bay, so coordinate a pick up from a friend or family, or for some of you, just run back to town to pick up your bike. For more information, to sign up, or to volunteer please contact CCMC primary care office at 907-424-8200. See you there!
May 2nd - May 9th, Heney Ridge Trailhead
In-Person. Free. Choose your own adventure
Intended audience: Fledglings (kids of all ages with adult supervision)
Head to the Heney Ridge trailhead any time between May 2nd and May 9th to participate. This interactive, in-person scavenger hunt will let you choose your own adventure while learning all about shorebirds and their unique lifestyle. Grab a scavenger hunt sheet out of the box below the trail sign and head out to do some birding! The clues will lead you to the hiding "shorebirds."
This activity is designed to let families come and go on their own schedule and engage with the information as much or as little as desired. It's all about getting outside and exploring! All the "shorebirds" can be seen while standing on the trail, though the birds may be found within a zone that runs along either side of Heney Ridge trail. The zone stretches from the trailhead to the first steps. We recommend you dress for the weather so you can search in comfort. Please leave the installed "shorebirds" where you find them but enjoy the coloring pages and bonus information that is also available below the trail sign. Happy birding!
In-Person. Free and open to all. Intended audience: Adults and children 10 years & older (but all are welcome)
Nature Journaling: Sketchin' some Shorebirds
Join PWSSC for a Nature Journaling gathering at the Eyak Corp camping area overlooking Hartney Bay! Have you ever wanted to try Nature Journaling? PWSSC will be hosting a gathering where novice and experienced nature journalers can come together. There will be a nature journaling prompt to follow if you need inspiration or you can do your own thing. Come for a little or stay the whole time. No experience necessary. Bring your own supplies and something to sit on. PWSSC will have limited, basic supplies.
In-Person. Free and open to all.
Discover Cordova: Shorebirds
Intended audience: Little Peeps (with adult supervision - open to all ages)
Join PWSSC at the Hartney Bay beach to learn all about these magnificent, migrating shorebirds. Stop by for a little or spend some time with us at different educational stations that will explore shorebird feeding strategies, discuss how scientists use bands to learn about birds, sharpen your bird identification skills, and more!
In-Person. $2.50 for paid festival registrants, $5.00 for others.
Pick up a self-guided riding route map and bird info from Cordova Gear Store. Call 907-424-5590 to rent a bike or schedule a tune-up.
In-Person. Free and Open to All.
Download the USFS Agents of Discovery app & take a Shorebird-tastic augmented reality walk at Alaganik Slough.
There is also an Agents of Discovery Owl-oriented augmented reality hike at Haystack Trail (19 Mile Copper River Hwy, Cordova).
Joining us virtually? Stay tuned for a link for you to participate too!
In-Person. Free and open to all.
Shorebird Scavenger Hunt: Birding Bonanza
Choose your own adventure
Intended audience: Fledglings (kids of all ages with adult supervision)
Head to the Heney Ridge trailhead any time between April 30th and May 14th to participate. This interactive, in-person scavenger hunt will let you choose your own adventure while learning all about shorebirds and their unique lifestyle. Grab a scavenger hunt sheet out of the box below the trail sign and head out to do some birding! The clues will lead you to the hiding "shorebirds."
This activity is designed to let families come and go on their own schedule and engage with the information as much or as little as desired. It's all about getting outside and exploring! All the "shorebirds" can be seen while standing on the trail, though the birds may be found within a zone that runs along either side of the Heney Ridge trail (across from first Hartney Bay parking area). The zone stretches from the trailhead to the first steps. We recommend you dress for the weather so you can search in comfort. Please leave the installed "shorebirds" where you find them but enjoy the coloring pages and bonus information that is also available below the trail sign. Happy birding!
