The 19th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival

January 20 - 25, 2016

Chosen by the Southeastern Tourism Society as one of their Top 20 Events for January 2016, the Space Coast Festival is regarded as one of the top birding events in the nation.

More than 330 species of birds have been identified on Florida's Space Coast due to its location on the Atlantic flyway. This festival is unique thanks to the ideal weather and environmental conditions of Florida's Space Coast. The area's natural assets include marshlands, cypress hammocks, pine flatwoods, scrub habitat, estuaries, and open ocean. These diverse habitats provide birders and wildlife watchers from around the world endless opportunities to spot rarities including the Florida scrub-jay and the roseate spoonbill.

"Florida's Space Coast is the ultimate paradise for bird and wildlife watching, thanks to its incredibly diverse natural areas," said Eric Garvey, Executive Director for Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism. "We're so lucky we are home to one of the largest collections of endangered wildlife and plants in the continental United States."

This year, attendees can select from more than 250 activities and events. Workshops and tours for the novice birder as well as the expert digiscoper are options each day. Classes include not only birding topics, but experts on sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, butterflies, snakes, bats, and the North Atlantic right whale also will offer presentations. An offshore birding and wildlife adventure will give participants the opportunity to see ocean birds and animals, as well as working shrimp boats.

This year's festival will have a special focus on photography, with world-class photographers offering more than 120 classroom and field workshops throughout the week.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS:

Dr. Steven W. Kress

"Restoring Endangered Seabirds: Lessons from Puffins and Terns"

Giff Beaton

"An Introduction to Dragonflies and Damselflies"

James Currie

"Birding the World with James Currie - A Video Journey"

Kevin Karlson & Dale Rosselet

"Birding by Impression: A Different Approach to Knowing and Identifying Birds"

Steve N.G. Howell

"Is There Life Offshore? (Is There Life on Mars?)"

COMING TO THE FESTIVAL TO LEAD FIELD TRIPS AND CLASSES:

Steve N.G. Howell, Kevin Karlson, Noah Strycker, Dr. Stephen W. Kress,
Marie P. Read, Greg Miller, Amar Ayyash, Jim Danzenbaker, Adam & Gina Kent,
Jim Cox, Bill Thompson III, Ken Meyer, Blair Witherington, Victor Emanuel,
Dr. Tom Emmel, Larry Manfredi, Louise Zemaitis, Nancy McAllister, Bill Stewart,
Barry Lyon, Eric Reyier, and Michael Brothers

More joining us every day...

FOR A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND TO REGISTER, VISIT:
www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org

ABOUT FLORIDA'S SPACE COAST

Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida's Space Coast is home to Orlando's closest beaches. Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay, and Titusville, this family-friendly destination offers more than 10,000 guest rooms, and is an ideal, value getaway. Guests will discover 72 miles (110 km) of beaches—the longest stretch in the state—and more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge. It is home to one of the nation's busiest cruise ports; is the nation's East Coast surfing capital and the location of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, where all 135 space shuttle missions launched and unmanned rockets continue to launch. The Space Coast is home to Space Shuttle Atlantis and is one of only four destinations nationwide where visitors can view an orbiter. For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit visitspacecoast.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches.

Discover why Florida's Space Coast is your launch pad to incredible nature-based experiences.

Noah Strycker, World Big Year Birder, will have finished his 2015 Big Year having identified more than 5,000 bird species in his travels. Noah's efforts are proudly supported by Leica Sport Optics. Noah will join the Leica birding crew at their booth at the festival. Plan to come by the booth in Aisle 3 in the Exhibit Center to meet Noah, get a selfie with him, and participate in his book signings at the Leica booth.

PLAN TO SPEND EXTRA DAYS IN BREVARD COUNTY EXPLORING FLORIDA'S SPACE COAST! GET TO KNOW US FOR MORE THAN THE FESTIVAL. WE HAVE A PLETHORA OF ADVENTURES TO OFFER!