and The 13th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival

WELCOME  to Florida’s Space Coast and especially to Titusville - a small town blessed with a wealth of natural, historical and cultural resources, outstanding quality of life and an ideal setting for the 13th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival.

We are excited to co-host, with the Marine Science Center, a North American Gull Conference (NAGC) sponsored by Swarovski Optik.  According to those who attended the 2000 NAGC, there has not been a national gathering of these birders who are dedicated to watching and studying Gulls since that event.  Gull experts Bruce MacTavish and Martin Reid will provide classroom presentations, co- lead field trips and join Alvaro Jaramillo, Clay Taylor and others in a special event on Tuesday, January 26 to the Gull mecca of Central Florida – Daytona Beach Shores.  Unique learning opportunities abound whether about Gulls or other bird and wildlife species.

We are so honored to have commitments from the crème de la crème of the world of birding to help make the 2010 Festival the place to be from January 27 through February 1, 2010.  These elements have the capability of outstanding experiences that will be forever remembered when:

• Learning more about birding outside the box, identifying Gulls and other significant birding skills from Alvaro Jaramillo.
• Hearing Reinier Munguia share how his passion for photography led him to become a concerned and informed environmental activist for his community.
• Listening raptly as Louise Zemaitis explains the finer points and diversity of bird identification.
• Viewing a Sibley drawing for the first time through his eyes to learn more about why birds are.
• Savoring Kaufman’s pure delight in and his process of birding.   Re-reading his “Kingbird Highway”, a most riveting first autobiography which also happens to be about birds.   
• Hearing Pete Dunne ‘Pish’ while people imitate his every move to echo his bird sounds.  Also, reading any one of Pete’s books to expand our knowledge of and lust for birding.
• Following the careful explanations by Kevin Karlson  as to why certain birds do what they do and how to use this skill for improved bird recognition, identification and photographing the historical moment.
• Meeting other well-known birding and wildlife authorities during a special classroom presentation or on a field trip such as – Michael O’Brien, Paul Lehman, Bill Thompson III, Jeff Bouton, Jeff Gordon, Chris Wood, Jessie Barry, Victor Emanuel and Barry Lyon.
• Enjoying additional festival activities lead by 90 plus other biologists, ornithologists, scientists, photographers, historians, kayakers, and naturalists – all experts in their own special areas.

The Board of Directors of the Brevard Nature Alliance and the Festival staff, wish to sincerely thank all the people – sponsors, speakers, field trip leaders, exhibitors, volunteers and YOU the attendees - who support this event year after year (and those who are first time attendees or helpers).

Your enthusiasm and support for the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival has brought us national recognition.  Your encouragement and appreciation of our community orientation and dedication in promoting, protecting and providing education about our beloved natural resources has kept us grounded.

Let the fun and learning begin…………………

The Brevard Nature Alliance is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides support services for the Festival.

The Mission of the BNA is to promote and protect the environment for nature-based activities. The BNA serves as one of the primary advocates of community-based nature activities in Brevard County, dedicated to the enrichment of our community through an understanding and appreciation of natural resources, nature-based tourism, sensible growth management and ecosystem needs. For more information or to become a member of the BNA, contact Neta Harris at 321-268-5224 or visit the web site at www.brevardnaturealliance.org

The Brevard Nature Alliance presents the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival Brevard Community College, Titusville Campus 1311 North U.S. Highway 1 Jan. 27 - Feb. 1, 2010 -- Titusville, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife. eMail