I finally unearthed the Lost and Found Box from the Festival
The following items are available for idendification:
= pack of hearing aid batteries
= metal note pad with pen
= binocular case
= tripod
= business debit card
call: 321-268-5224 or email: neta@brevardnaturealliance.org
Thanks to each of you who attended and participated in an activity.
A special Thank You to Festival Staff, Sponsors, Exhibitors, Keynote Speakers, Field Trip Leaders, Classroom Presenters, Volunteers, Security officers, BCC staff, community supporters, and others
who helped make this Festival an outstanding event.
The 17th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival
is scheduled for January 22-27, 2014.
Eastern Florida State College - Titusville Campus
( NEW name for Brevard Community College )
1311 North US1 Titusville, Florida 32796
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WELCOME
to the 16th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival
...especially to Titusville and Florida's Space Coast. We extend greetings to you from the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, the Space Coast Office of Tourism, all area Chambers of Commerce and the Board of Directors of the Brevard Nature Alliance.
We offer you a varied array of classroom presentations that will surely pique your interest, make you say 'Hmmmmmmm' and others will bring you up-to-date technical information that will give your birding and wildlife watching experiences a real boost in enjoyment. New field trips will take you into different areas of Florida's Space Coast and other nearby counties in search of special birds and hopefully a few rarities. We have down sized the St. Sebastian's trip and are offering two in order to create the optimum birding experience at this outstanding site. The eBird trip to Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera is both technical and yet appealing to birders in a special engaging way. Not to be missed is the excitement of new and returning vendors in the every-booth-filled Exhibit Center and the Silent Auction with many enticing items on which to bid. The Raptor Project joins us for the 10th year of edutainment as part of the festival family.
The Festival web site is now responsive to multiple screen sizes and many types of portable devices. This means you can access the festival web site with your iPad or smartphone and travel throughout the site at any time to check activities, maps to find locations and the message board.
We are all praying for good weather during the week of the festival so that the Pelagic Boat Trip will be able to cast off from New Smyrna on January 28. A pre-trip classroom presentation and introduction to Pelagic Birding is offered by Michael Brothers, experienced East Coast pelagic trip leader. Those who participate in this activity will receive $10.00 off the trip registration price. Julie Albert, Right Whale authority for this area,will be on board the Pastime Princess to watch for and provide information on these large mammals and their continued presence locally offshore. I have one piece of bad news - there will be no Black Rail field trips during this festival. Due to land conditions, our Black Rail expert Mike Legare, felt the land and the birds needed time to regenerate and repopulate. The popular field trips will return for the 2014 Festival.
There is a vast assortment of activities offered during this Festival. We hope your experience will be pleasurable and you will revisit Florida's Space Coast. We welcome you now and many times in the future.
Neta Harris, Executive Director
Pelagic Birding Boat Trip
Pelagic birds are species that spend a significant portion of their lives on the open ocean, rarely venturing to land except to breed. Long-time birders know that a pelagic trip can be as exciting as birding can get, and offshore pelagic trips in Florida offer a new frontier. New birders are in for an unforgettable experience. For all birders, this is an exciting opportunity to add to your life-list. Learn more...
The Raptor Project
An outstanding array of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. The Raptor Project leads the way in outstanding, top quality, professional wildlife education. Jonathan Wood, president and founder of "The Raptor Project" is a federally licensed Master Falconer, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Raptor Propagator and Game Bird Breeder and is also licensed to handle eagles and endangered species for educational programs. Learn more....
Rendezvous with the Raptors
An evening with outstanding eagles, hawks, falcons and owls that have won the attention of enthralled audiences throughout the nation. Hors d'oeuvres and Cash Bar. Photo opportunity for up-close and personal photo with a Raptor. This event is being hosted by the Brevard Zoo. Learn more...
Birding at Ritch Grissom Memorial
Festival News to Use
Florida hosts a long list of specialty birds, many of which are restricted to the southern half of the state and the South Florida Birding Tour is designed for participants of the Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival who want to supplement their time in Central Florida with opportunities to see the specialty birds found farther south. Learn more...
Promise In Brevard (PROMISE) and the Brevard Nature Alliance (BNA) are partnering during the 16th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival (SCBWF) to promote awareness of individuals with special needs throughout Brevard County. Promise In Brevard is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop community awareness and establish appropriate housing and lifestyle choices for persons with disabilities. Learn more...
The Brevard Nature Alliance is partnering with Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department and the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program to offer special programs and activities during the 16th Annual Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival. Don't forget there's also things to do for non-birders.
The making of "Aerial Assassins"
James Currie, the passionate creator of the reality TV adventure series "NIKON'S BIRDING ADVENTURES" presents his new show on National Geographic, "Aerial Assassins". Like other well-known predators such as lions and wolves, Harris's Hawks are also fiercely brutal and track prey in packs. Learn more...
Make Your Own Bird Feeder
Sponsored by Ace Hardware - Titusville. Ace Hardware is furnishing the hangers and birdseed for this project. You will be able to help your child with placing the hanger in a plastic bottle, filling it with birdseed and finding a good spot for hanging your new feeder in a tree at home. These free supplies will be located in the Registration area.
Sponsored in part by the Brevard Co. Board of County Commissioners through the Brevard Cultural Alliance, Inc. www.artsbrevard.org
These businesses have donated merchandise or promotional materials to the 2013 Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival. We thank them for their thoughtfulness and participation in this community event.
- Space-Coast-Travel
- Brevard Lumber Company - Titusville
Exhibit Center
Welcome everyone! The Exhibit Center, located in the Gymnatorium, is the site of important Festival traditions and activities in which we invite you to visit and participate. Here you will find the annual Bird Count List, Silent Auction, and more than 80 excellent exhibitors: artists, crafters, wildlife & birding organizations, nature-specialty businesses, photography, optics from the most-recognized companies, nature tour companies and outdoor equipment. The Raptor Project will be on stage providing scheduled educational shows.
Exhibit Center hours are:
- Wednesday, Jan. 23, 3:00pm-7:00pm
- Thursday, Jan. 24, 9:00am-7:00pm
- Friday, Jan. 25, 9:00am-7:00pm
- Saturday, Jan. 26, 9:00am-7:00pm
- Sunday, Jan. 27, 9:00am-1:00pm
Classroom presentations and field trips are arranged so that there is time to view beautiful art and craftwork, find out more about the area and birds spotted, and acquire a gift for someone, including yourself.
What To Wear
January is typically Florida's coldest month, but temperatures can fluctuate wildly. Expect average temps to be in the 40s and 50s at night and the 60s and 70s in the daytime. Temperatures can dip into the 30s at night and never leave the 50s during the daytime after a strong cold front. Rain is very scarce in January, however, a cold front may be accompanied by a squall line. Plan to layer your clothing. It can be very cold at sunrise and then warm up nicely during the day. It could be chilly out on the water on kayak and boat trips, so dress warmly. Be sure to bring rain gear if you are going on the pelagic trip! More than likely the wind will blow and spray will fly. The Gymnatorium can be chilly too. Bring a sweater or a jacket if you are an exhibitor.
Classroom & Field Trip Tips
A long sleeved shirt or light jacket may make your classroom experience more enjoyable - all rooms are air-conditioned.
The field trip staging area is in front of the Gymnatorium. Most bus trips will depart from that area. Carpool groups will meet there also. You will be directed to your bus location by the Transportation Monitors, who will be available for each departure. Departure times are firm - arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Please bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and rain gear (just in case). It is recommended for field trips that you wear comfortable shoes/sneakers, comfortable shirts, and long pants (protection against insects and thorns). Some fielld trips may require boots.
Don't forget your camera, binoculars, or other equipment that will make your festival experience more memorable.
Festival Information
Contact the Festival Office by phone: 800-460-2664 or 321-268-5224, by fax: 321-268-0921 or by e-mail: festival@brevardnaturealliance.org. Mailing address is P. O. Box 517, Titusville, FL 32781-0517. The office is staffed from 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
Office functions will move to Brevard Community College - Titusville campus (1311 North US 1, Titusville, FL 32796) on Jan. 22, 2013 to facilitate the set-up of the Exhibit Center. Telephone numbers and email address remain the same for contact during the Festival.
The Festival Registration Desk is located in the Lobby of the Gymnatorium and will be open each day to facilitate early Field Trips.
- Tuesday, Jan. 22 - 1pm to 5pm for courtesy pick up of ID and Welcome Bag only - the registration desk will not be open.
- Wednesday, Jan. 23 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
- Thursday, Jan. 24 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
- Friday, Jan. 25 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
- Saturday, Jan. 26 - 6:00am to 6:00pm
- Sunday, Jan. 27 - 6:00am to 1:00pm
Food service will be available Wednesday through Sunday in the Snack Bar area as follows:
- Free Coffee by the Festival - serve yourself from 4-9am each day
Wednesday through Saturday:
- Breakfast: Variety of items served 4-9am by a local food service provider
- Lunch: Variety of items served 11am-2pm by a local food service provider
Tables are available in the south hall of the Gym building and outside in the covered Pavilion near the Art Show entrance. Water is available on each Field Trip bus and per bottle for car pools - please pick up at the Registration Desk.
Please Note: No food or drink allowed in the Auditorium, Classroom or Keynote presentations, or the Art Show.
The Festival is ADA accessible to classrooms, restrooms, food service, Exhibit Area, Art Show and Silent Auction. Arrangements for participation in Field Trips, boat and kayak trips are handled on an individual basis.
Festival Staff
- Laurilee Thompson, Festival Founder
- Neta Harris, Executive Director
- Susan Waldron, BNA Coordinator
- Dianne George, Community Relations
- Lynn Watson, Festival Registration Coordinator
- DeeAnn Jennings Kiesel, Graphic Design
Special thanks to Barbara Hoelscher (Festival Coordinator since 2008). Barbara will be pursuing other interests in the community. We wish her well.
Volunteers from this community are the life of every activity offered during the Festival. These dedicated people bring a diverse energy to the tasks that help to make the Festival a success. In all of the evaluations we receive regarding the effectiveness of the Festival, the attitude, helpfulness and caring of the people on the front line of contact have always been given the highest marks of satisfaction. Visit our Volunteer Section to learn more.
Every effort was made to assure the accuracy of the information within this publication; however, the Brevard Nature Alliance and Objet D'Art cannot guarantee total correctness due to possible human and/or mechanical error.
Our Mission
The mission of the Brevard Nature Alliance, Inc. is to build public awareness and appreciation of the value of Brevard County's natural resources by fostering and promoting ethical nature-based tourism.
For more information or to become a member of the BNA, contact Neta Harris at 321-268-5224 or visit the website - www.brevardnaturealliance.org
The Brevard Nature Alliance is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. The value of your donation may be deductible for tax purposes.
*A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the State. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State. Registration #: CH19903 - Florida Solicitation of Contribution Act.
