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404 1st St
Cordova, AK, 99574
United States
907-424-7260
We invite you to join the mass migration of Pacific shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl and songbirds. Their shoreside respite is framed against the pristine backdrop of coastal glaciers and mountains, the breathtaking vista that we call home. Come armed with your binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, sketch books and pencils and leave with a heart full of memories.
Below is the 2024 Shorebird Festival schedule to help with your travel plans. Keep an eye out for the official schedule with detailed events to be posted as we get closer to the festival
All Ages and Family Friendly From Hartney Bay to Orca Adventure Lodge
Bike 6.1 miles, then run/walk 3 miles
OR
Run 9.1 Miles
Come join us following the speakers on Saturday evening for a casual shorebird sharing and journal show and tell. Gather with other birders to share your viewing experiences, as well as your shorebird drawings and nature journaling from the festival weekend. Bring any journals you may have to share with the group and inspire one another. Dessert and tea will be served.
Facilitated by The Net Loft. Saturday May 4, 7:00-8:00 pm. Library fireplace.
Please preregister to help us coordinate our set up for this gathering.
ALL WELCOME to this get together, whether or not you have a journal to share. We will be discussing also our favorite nature journaling authors, books, and online instructors, so come prepared to share your sources for skill development and inspiration. SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE REGISTER BELOW!
This is a kids activity:
The Prince William Sound Science Center will be at Eyak Corporation's upper camping area at Hartney Bay,** exploring shorebirds and their adaptations through hands-on learning and play. Bring your beginning birders so they can get their feet wet in the wild world of birding. Open to kids of all ages and their caregivers.
Photo by U.S. National Forest Service-Chugach National Forrest
New Harbor/South Fill
Sunday May 7
Grab your bikes (or your walking shoes) for a bird tour of the harbor. Tour-De-Peeps starts at the Fishermans Memorial and then journeys around the harbor where you can visit all three of the Science Center's activity stations. Learn about bird adaptations, look for birds, and make bird-themed crafts.
Saturday, May 6, 7:30-8:30 pm. Library fireplace.
Come join us following the speakers on Saturday evening for a shorebird sharing and journal show and tell. Gather with other birders to share your viewing experiences, as well as your shorebird drawings and nature journaling from the festival weekend. Preregistration required. Dessert will be served.
Facilitated by The Net Loft. Aaron Bowman will be helping moderate our discussion.
Session is not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space.
SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE REGISTER BELOW!
Nature Journaling at Hartney Bay- Field Session
Hartney Bay: Saturday, May 6, 3-5 PM -Meet in front of the Cordova Center 30 minutes prior to class starting time if needing a ride, or meet at location at time indicated.
Class fee $45 (42.75 after festival discount) Ages 14 and up
Join John Muir Laws in the field for an opportunity to participate in a guided field sketching experience. We will first spend time with the guide at each field location, and then branch off and begin our session with Jack.
Dress appropriately. Be prepared for cold temperatures and inclement weather. Transportation is not provided. We can carpool however, so if transportation needed, we can help you get there.
Parents of interested nature journalists, ages 8-14 may bring along 1 child per registration, and the registration fee for that child will be reduced,
$24 ($22.80 after festival discount) Please register for children at the shop
Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space.
Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants. Thank you!!
From Field to Finish: Tips and Techniques
Saturday, May 6 | 11AM - 1PM
This session will provide help and suggestions on how to complete journal entries back in the studio after being in the field.
Cordova Community Center, Room A/B.
Class Fee $40 ($38 after festival discount)
Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space.
Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants. Thank you!!
Nature Journaling at Alaganik- Field Session
Alaganik Slough: Saturday, May 6, 8-10 am -Meet in front of the Cordova Center 30 minutes prior to class starting time if needing a ride, or meet at location at time indicated.
Class fee $45 (42.75 after festival discount) Ages 14 and up
Join John Muir Laws in the field for an opportunity to participate in a guided field sketching experience. We will first spend time with the guide at each field location, and then branch off and begin our session with Jack.
Dress appropriately. Be prepared for cold temperatures and inclement weather. Transportation is not provided. We can carpool however, so if transportation needed, we can help you get there.
Parents of interested nature journalists, ages 8-14 may bring along 1 child per registration, and the registration fee for that child will be reduced,
$24 ($22.80 after festival discount) Please register for children at the shop
Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space.
Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants. Thank you!!
Nature Journaling at Hartney Bay- Field Session
Hartney Bay: Friday, May 5, 2:30-4:30PM -Meet in front of the Cordova Center 30 minutes prior to class starting time if needing a ride, or meet at location at time indicated.
Class fee $45 (42.75 after festival discount) Ages 14 and up
Join John Muir Laws in the field for an opportunity to participate in a guided field sketching experience. We will first spend time with the guide at each field location, and then branch off and begin our session with Jack.
Dress appropriately. Be prepared for cold temperatures and inclement weather. Transportation is not provided. We can carpool however, so if transportation needed, we can help you get there.
Parents of interested nature journalists, ages 8-14 may bring along 1 child per registration, and the registration fee for that child will be reduced,
$24 ($22.80 after festival discount) Please register for children at the shop
Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space.
Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants. Thank you!!
The Prince William Sound Science Center will be at Eyak Corporation's upper camping area at Hartney Bay exploring shorebirds and their adaptations through hands-on learning and play. Bring your beginning birders so they can get their feet wet in the wild world of birding. Open to kids of all ages and their caregivers.
Discover Cordova Participants should park in this upper campsite area by turning at the last right before the Hartney Bay bridge parking/Heney Ridge Trail parking area. See map below.
Beginning Shorebird Drawing / Nature Journaling
Group A: Friday, May 5 | 12-2 pm Located in Community Room A&B in the Cordova Center
Class Fee $40 ($38 after festival discount)
We have a limited number of spaces for Children 9 -14 accompanied by an attending registered parent, $24 ($22.80 after festival discount)
Please register for children at the shop.
Materials: Net Loft Laws Drawing Materials Kit* $79 value, Special $62.98 ($55 with festival discount), Laws Sketchbook. (in a drop-down menu on Net Loft Website)
Class will be offered twice and will be very similar. Emphasis in Group A will be for those who are new to nature journaling.
Sessions are not specifically children’s classes, but interested children are welcome to participate with a paid parent space. Children attending will need to get registered at The Net Loft in person for a discounted price; One child space per paid parent space.
Brought to you in part by Cordova Arts and Pageants. Thank you!!
Last House up Ski Hill Rd.
Step right up and try your luck at identifying local Cordova bird calls. Get 4 right and win a prize. This is fully automated, interactive game show awaits new contestants at the Towle House Shed.
Download the Agents of Discovery app and join the Forest Service in an interactive game to learn about shorebirds! Discover challenges along the entire Alaganik Slough Road. Once you reach the Alaganik Slough Recreation Area, discover additional challenges as you stroll the Pete Isleib Memorial Boardwalk. This challenge will be active until May 28th.
Sunday, May 8, 2022, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Hartney Bay, meet at the end of the paved road.
In-Person. Free and open to all.
Curious about the rich mudflat food that draws millions of shorebirds to Cordova each year? Have you ever wanted to try Nature Journaling?
Join PWSSC educators for a Nature Journaling gathering on at Hartney Bay! Novice and experienced nature journalers alike can come together and explore shorebird diets. There will be a nature journaling prompt to follow if you need inspiration or you can do your own thing. Come for a little or stay the whole time. No experience necessary. PWSSC will have basic supplies available, though you may want to bring something to sit on.
This event is free and open to adults and children of all ages, but kiddos 8 and younger will need caregiver assistance. This event is part of a series of nature journaling events that PWSSC will be hosting throughout the summer. Help us grow the nature journaling community in Cordova!
Power yourself from Hartney Bay to Orca Bay. Choose from:
9.1 mile run
Bike 6.1 miles, then run 3 miles
Meet at Hartney Bay at 11am. Ends at Orca Adventure Lodge property.
A great point-to-point adventure along a very scenic stretch of road. The fastest times will be published, but the prizes will go to the most average male and female times. That’s right, try to get the median/average time and you may win a fully customizable Copper River Fleece Jacket gift certificate.
Families are encouraged to participate together, or you might want to finish with a friend. All ages welcome. Free event. Not a relay.
Runners will start at 11 am sharp and bikers will start at 11:30 at Hartney Bay. All participants or their parents will need to sign a waiver, but this can happen the morning of the event. PLEASE get there a little earlier if you need to complete a waiver! It is recommended for participants to sign up in advance. There will be no shuttle service from Orca Bay, so coordinate a pick up from a friend or family, or for some of you, just run back to town to pick up your bike. For more information, to sign up, or to volunteer please contact CCMC primary care office at 907-424-8200. See you there!
Thursday, May 5th, 4-5pm
Cordova Center Education Room, In-Person. Free
Intended audience: Little Peeps (with adult supervision - open to all ages)
Join PWSSC to learn all about the food that makes Cordova the perfect place for these magnificent, migrating shorebirds to fuel up. Stop by for a little or spend some time with us at different educational stations that will explore shorebird feeding strategies, increase your understanding of the macroinvertebrates shorebirds eat, get your creative juices flowing as you make "shorebird slime", and more!
May 2nd - May 9th, Heney Ridge Trailhead
In-Person. Free. Choose your own adventure
Intended audience: Fledglings (kids of all ages with adult supervision)
Head to the Heney Ridge trailhead any time between May 2nd and May 9th to participate. This interactive, in-person scavenger hunt will let you choose your own adventure while learning all about shorebirds and their unique lifestyle. Grab a scavenger hunt sheet out of the box below the trail sign and head out to do some birding! The clues will lead you to the hiding "shorebirds."
This activity is designed to let families come and go on their own schedule and engage with the information as much or as little as desired. It's all about getting outside and exploring! All the "shorebirds" can be seen while standing on the trail, though the birds may be found within a zone that runs along either side of Heney Ridge trail. The zone stretches from the trailhead to the first steps. We recommend you dress for the weather so you can search in comfort. Please leave the installed "shorebirds" where you find them but enjoy the coloring pages and bonus information that is also available below the trail sign. Happy birding!
In-Person. Free and open to all.
The Cordova Public Library and Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival are pleased to announce the temporary installation of “North, the Amazing Story of Arctic Migration” by Nick Dawson, illustrations by Patrick Benson. In the garden near Odiak Pond, behind the Cordova Community Medical Center. April 29 - May 9.
In-Person. Free and open to all. Intended audience: Adults and children 10 years & older (but all are welcome)
Nature Journaling: Sketchin' some Shorebirds
Join PWSSC for a Nature Journaling gathering at the Eyak Corp camping area overlooking Hartney Bay! Have you ever wanted to try Nature Journaling? PWSSC will be hosting a gathering where novice and experienced nature journalers can come together. There will be a nature journaling prompt to follow if you need inspiration or you can do your own thing. Come for a little or stay the whole time. No experience necessary. Bring your own supplies and something to sit on. PWSSC will have limited, basic supplies.
In-Person. Free and open to all.
Discover Cordova: Shorebirds
Intended audience: Little Peeps (with adult supervision - open to all ages)
Join PWSSC at the Hartney Bay beach to learn all about these magnificent, migrating shorebirds. Stop by for a little or spend some time with us at different educational stations that will explore shorebird feeding strategies, discuss how scientists use bands to learn about birds, sharpen your bird identification skills, and more!
In-Person. Free and Open to All.
Download the USFS Agents of Discovery app & take a Shorebird-tastic augmented reality walk at Alaganik Slough.
There is also an Agents of Discovery Owl-oriented augmented reality hike at Haystack Trail (19 Mile Copper River Hwy, Cordova).
Joining us virtually? Stay tuned for a link for you to participate too!
In-Person. Free and open to all.
Shorebird Scavenger Hunt: Birding Bonanza
Choose your own adventure
Intended audience: Fledglings (kids of all ages with adult supervision)
Head to the Heney Ridge trailhead any time between April 30th and May 14th to participate. This interactive, in-person scavenger hunt will let you choose your own adventure while learning all about shorebirds and their unique lifestyle. Grab a scavenger hunt sheet out of the box below the trail sign and head out to do some birding! The clues will lead you to the hiding "shorebirds."
This activity is designed to let families come and go on their own schedule and engage with the information as much or as little as desired. It's all about getting outside and exploring! All the "shorebirds" can be seen while standing on the trail, though the birds may be found within a zone that runs along either side of the Heney Ridge trail (across from first Hartney Bay parking area). The zone stretches from the trailhead to the first steps. We recommend you dress for the weather so you can search in comfort. Please leave the installed "shorebirds" where you find them but enjoy the coloring pages and bonus information that is also available below the trail sign. Happy birding!
