Calling all birders!
Vancouver International Bird Festival (VIBF) touches down in Vancouver this week! From August 19 - 26, the festival will offer a huge array of fascinating events, which explore the science, behavior and sheer awesomeness of B.C.’s favourite feathery friends.
There are so many events taking place next week, but here’s what we’re most excited about.
Hipster Bird Watching
Closet birders and nature-curious are invited to join Return of the Hipster Birder, a laid back nature walk as part of the first ever Vancouver International Bird Festival. EyeLoveBirds is hosting a bird walk around Lost Lagoon. A bird walk, if you haven’t been on one before, is quite literally a walk-in-the-park – but with the express purpose of observing birds. This walk will be targeting non-birders – that is people who like to get outdoors, enjoy nature but don’t consider themselves birders (yet).
Outdoor Bird Tours
The International Ornithological Congress has offered VIBF a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join over 50 trips to see birds and wildlife in and around Vancouver. Tours will be led by guides and international delegates and include everything from day trips to longer pre- and post-festival trips.
International Bird Films and Family Events
As part of VIBF’s family programming (which there is SO much of), there will be a series of bird films from around the world showcased at Science World. Science World has also partnered with the VIBF for a special Bird Festival Day with speaker Jody Allair from Bird Studies Canada who will talk about “Getting Into Birding”. Speaking of family events, Children’s Day at the Nature & Bird Expo happens August 25th from 10:00am – 2:00pm. You can view all the festival’s family activities HERE.
The Silent Skies Student Mural Project
The Silent Skies Student Mural Project is a youth education project focused on conservation and the study of endangered species through art, research and community engagement. The project builds directly on an international collaborative super-mural featuring all 678 endangered bird species of the world; depicted by leading internationally recognized artists. The 100-ft-long installation will be unveiled at the Convention Centre on August 18th.
Bird Comedy
Join Little Mountain Improv as they celebrate the Vancouver International Bird Festival with a bird-themed comedy improvisation show! Come on out and give your best bird-themed suggestions to the group as they act out skits “on the fly” celebrating our quirky feathered friends.
The Vancouver International Bird Festival has many exciting events, speakers and activities for all ages! Lectures by leading ornithologists, tours, artwork, photography films and more are all part of the schedule.
To learn more, visit vanbirdfest.com
