Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival!

THE DETAILS

WHAT: Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival

WHEN: Wednesday through Monday, times and activities vary

WHERE: Field trips are in various locations, with several programs at BCC, 1311 N. U.S. 1, Titusville.

COST: $20 registration fee for adults along with individual costs for classroom activities and field trips. Some are free. No cost for the exhibit area and art show. Prices for activities and field trips vary. Children 12 and younger get in free with a paying adult.

INFO: Call 321-268-5224 or visit www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org.

THE STORY: The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival has grown tremendously in the past 15 years and draws thousands of people from all over the world to discover and explore the eco-tourism opportunities Brevard and nearby counties offer.

But the executive director of the event Neta Harris — of festival sponsor Brevard Nature Alliance — has noticed something curious about the festival, the largest of its kind in the country.

“There are people who come in from Canada who know more about what this area offers than a lot of local people do,” Harris said.

Brevard residents may be missing out on some special outdoor activities, Harris said, because they feel they’re already familiar with the area. However, what they may be missing is information on all the activities that are offered in our parks and preserves year-round.

Harris will be happy to know locals are already picking up clues from previous festivals.

Joan Green of Merritt Island learned the lesson after attending two of the events.

“The field trip guides were incredibly informative, and they introduced me to splendid places like the Merritt Island (Wildlife) Refuge and the Enchanted Forest (near Titusville),” Green said. “But what I found out, too, is that these preserves hold informative trips of their own all year round, too. And they’re often free.”

The festival, which started Wednesday and continues through the weekend, shows off many of the highlights: Field trips by bus or carpools will venture not only to hot birding spots, but also locales known for special animals and plants as well as historic sites.

And there’s plenty to do and see in the event center at Brevard Community College’s Titusville campus on U.S. 1 just north of town, with free entry and many free activities for all ages of visitors.

There will be classroom presentations, art and photography shows and competitions, renowned keynote speakers, a silent auction, dozens of vendors selling everything to do with outdoor activities, and some top-notch entertainment.

“We have activities for the children, too,” Harris said. “And plenty to interest the non-birders.”

Space Coast Audubon Society secretary Rosemary Webb is definitely a serious birder, but she had to confess, “I really love the shopping” among the event center’s booths.

“They have so many vendors, and they’re just terrific,” she said. “And the artists are just amazing, from kids to the adults, and I just love to go through and see their work.”

THE SCHEDULE

Some field trip tips: The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival offers plenty of free parking at Brevard Community College, 1311 N. U.S. 1., Titusville.

Some of the field trips have early departure times, so the registration desk will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Friday and Saturday and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Guests are encouraged to bring water, snacks, cameras and scopes on field trips — and encouraged to layer their clothing because mornings can be nippy.

Monday’s offshore pelagic birding trip is sold out.

Admission to the exhibit center is free, and it will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Not just for the birds: Some of the most popular aspects of the festival include art and photography shows and competition, as well as a silent auction on donated items that will take place Saturday and Sunday at the event center.

Also, no one will have to eat like a bird because vendors Friday and Saturday will serve breakfast as early as 4 a.m. for field trippers, and lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There also will be an afternoon social from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, a barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.