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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
May 5th at 7pm
Intended audience: Adults
Relax after a day of bird watching with nature yoga at the Science Center. Aviva will lead bird-themed yoga in the atrium of the Science Center on May 5th at 7pm. 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 extras on hand.
8-hour Challenge 1:00 pm-9:00 pm May 5th.
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.
Come join us following the speakers on Saturday evening for a casual 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. Bring any journals you may have to share with the group and inspire one another. Dessert and tea will be served.
Facilitated by The Net Loft. Saturday May 4, 7:00-8:00 pm. Library fireplace.
Please preregister to help us coordinate our set up for this gathering.
ALL WELCOME to this get together, whether or not you have a journal to share. We will be discussing also our favorite nature journaling authors, books, and online instructors, so come prepared to share your sources for skill development and inspiration. SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE REGISTER BELOW!
The beautiful wildlife and bird photography of Milo Burcham will be on display at The HeART Wall of the Reluctant Fisherman all during the Shorebird Festival.
The Pioneer ladies will be hosting a pie social in the Upstairs of the Pioneer as well as selling homemade whole pies in the parking lot outside the Pioneer building on Sat., May 4th starting at 1:00 PM.
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!
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.
Brush up on your birding skills and go head-to-head with other #BirdNerds at the Reluctant Fisherman Bar & Restaurant.
Free and open to all
Audubon Alaska and the local Prince William Sound Audubon chapter will host a fun-filled event featuring local experts and international shorebird biologists. Grab a late-night snack, dessert, and a beverage, and try your luck with other festival attendees.
Photo by U.S. National Forest Service-Chugach National Forrest
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!
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!
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.
Brush up on your birding skills and go head-to-head with other #BirdNerds at the Reluctant Fisherman Bar & Restaurant.
Free and open to all
Audubon Alaska and the local Prince William Sound Audubon chapter will host a fun-filled event featuring local experts (Mary Anne Bishop, Kate McLaughlin, and Aaron Bowman) and international shorebird biologist (River Gates). Grab a late-night snack, dessert, and a beverage, and try your luck with other festival attendees.
In-Person. Free and Open to All
Join the members of the Pioneer in the Cordova Center upper parking lot, adjacent to the Pioneer Igloo lodge to purchase whole pies, sweet or savory, and hand pies. Get there early, because these go fast and no sales will happen before the opening bell. Yum!
In Person. Included in Festival Registration, sign up required. For more information, contact Milo: milosphotos@yahoo.com.
Compete on teams of 2-4 to see how many birds you can spot and identify in an four-hour period. Join back up with the teams at the end for tallies, tall tales, and fun prizes. Free with registration, sign up your team at the table in the Cordova Center. Not birding but want to hear the tall tales? Join in for the Awards directly following.
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!
Shop from local Cordova artisans & vendors and sample tasty food at the Saturday Market. Saturday, May 7th from noon to 4:00pm at the Masonic Hall.
Contact Jessicca at 907-429-7997 for more information about the market! or head over to the Saturday Market facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CordovaSaturdayMarket
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!
Fuel up for a busy day with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, potatoes with reindeer sausage, eggs, fresh baked muffins- $15 per plate, Falafel Plate- $15 per plate, Seniors-$12, Kids up to 10- $10. Call or Text to reserve - (907)831-6791
This event is not included in your registration fee. Pay for breakfast upon entry.
No advanced registration required.
In-Person. This workshop requires pre-registration and an additional fee. Festival Paid Registrants receive a discount, so make sure to register for the festival first!
Channel your inner Audubon and enjoy step-by-step instruction while you create a painted shorebird-themed piece of art. $40 for registered shorebird festival attendees, $45 for non-registered.
In-person space is limited—call to reserve yours 907-424-3288 or 907-429-7997 or email copperrivercanvas@gmail.com
Native Conservancy Presents: Revolution Generation
5/6 7pm @ North Star Theatre
REVOLUTION GENERATION the latest documentary by activist/filmmakers Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell-Tickell. The film, to be released on Earth Day, is an exploration of the activism and potential of the largest youth generation in history. RG shows examples of young leaders working to revolutionize systems that have failed their generation. It paints a powerful and hopeful picture of how today’s youth can solve political and environmental crises. Narrated by and featuring Award-Winning actor Michelle Rodriguez (Lost, Avatar, The Fast and The Furious), the film is a manifesto for today's youth on the societal forces that have both shaped and held back their generation. The film offers a roadmap for how the youth can revolutionize political, social and economic systems that have exploited and failed them. As the millennial and youth vote slides backwards in the United States from over 50% in 2016 to 46% in 2020, the movie ends with a call to action for young people to get involved in policy including running for office, revolutionizing outdated parts of our democracy and most importantly, voting. View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNIQSIqXUnk
ART EXHIBIT
The Journey: An exhibition that connects communities and nature
Naturalist and explorer John Muir said “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks”. That's what happens on this land. Everyone who knows and beholds it cannot help protecting it, you just get inspired and connected with all the senses.
San Quintin is being rediscovered with the eyes, hands and the creativity of local artists, visitors and all friends of nature and birds, who stop their projects so that we can all be part of the diverse, natural and human mosaic that is this land.
From each material we can weave dreams, embroider hopes, paint life, frame the most beautiful landscapes in photos and create objects that invite us to a geographical journey, real or imaginary, between volcanoes, wetlands and beaches.
In the simplicity of the worsted yarn you can find the material that allows us to symbolize the complex life story of migratory birds, the amazing odyssey that leads them through so many places, facing dangers and predators, a whole journey without breaking or stop fighting for the adventure of life. Surely, we have a lot to learn, recognize and admire of the strength of our little friends with wings.
Here in our wetlands and volcanoes, all life have the appearance of a beautiful and fragile postcard. Thus, we are celebrating with this artistic tribute that fortunately allows us to connect with other parts of the world. This exhibition brings together the gaze and inspiration of artists for conservation, seafarers and also people interested in volcanoes, wetlands and dunes.
Join the journey that connects our life with nature! We are all birds and we all belong to this landscape.
An exhibition that connects communities and nature
The Bay of San Quintin is located three hours south of the municipality of Ensenada. Due to its remoteness from the urban slick director of the municipality, it presents many problems of attention to social issues and access to culture and education is very limited despite being an area of growing population. The main vocation is sowing, oysters farming and other forms of fishing. However, to the west of the urban spot there is an unimaginable natural wealth. In addition to beautiful beaches, there is a volcanic valley, a huge wetland full of native and endemic species of flora and fauna which is of great importance for local and migratory birds that can be observed year after year. Many people in the municipality of Ensenada and even in the town of San Quintín, ignore that these spaces are protected natural areas and that they have a natural wealth worthy of valuing and caring for them.
That is why we believe that it needs an impact action in the area, that it can give a projection to the efforts that already exist and that at the same time make known on a national and international level in a positive and sensitive way the biodiversity that can be found there. We believe that the ideal vehicle to achieve this deep awareness, able to access through a clear, universal and emotional language is art.
In-Person. Free & Open to all. Donations accepted on-site.
Celebrate the Magic of Migration with this annual bird-centric art show, featuring local and Alaskan artists. Gallery will be open throughout the weekend and continue on display through May 28. Enjoy “Sangria & Snacks” while viewing this art opening in tandem with the International Art Exhibit from Baja California, Mexico.
Follow the festival’s social channels to catch a virtual walk-through.
Thursday, May 5th, 4-5pm
Cordova Center Education Room, In-Person. Free
Intended audience: Little Peeps (with adult supervision - open to all ages)
Join PWSSC to learn all about the food that makes Cordova the perfect place for these magnificent, migrating shorebirds to fuel up. Stop by for a little or spend some time with us at different educational stations that will explore shorebird feeding strategies, increase your understanding of the macroinvertebrates shorebirds eat, get your creative juices flowing as you make "shorebird slime", and more!
In-Person. Free and open to all.
The Cordova Public Library and Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival are pleased to announce the temporary installation of “North, the Amazing Story of Arctic Migration” by Nick Dawson, illustrations by Patrick Benson. In the garden near Odiak Pond, behind the Cordova Community Medical Center. April 29 - May 9.
In Person. Included in Festival Registration, sign up required. For more information, contact Milo: milosphotos@yahoo.com.
Compete on teams of 2-4 to see how many birds you can spot and identify in an eight hour period. Join back up via Zoom with the teams at the end for tallies, tall tales, and fun prizes. Free with registration, sign up your team at the table in the Cordova Center. Not birding but want to hear the tall tales? Tune in via Zoom at 8:30pm.
