Verde Valley News – Friends of the Verde River (Friends) is excited to announce that its 2023 Birding and Nature Festival will be held at Dead Horse Ranch State Park April 27 – 30. This annual festival provides a unique recreational experience to anyone interested in the natural world and fosters awareness of the importance of nature for the enrichment of all life in the Verde Valley.
More than 400 birders as well as hundreds of families come to the Valley to enjoy more than 90 field trips and workshops as well as the festival’s Saturday Family Nature Fair. The 2023 festival theme is Riparian Residents highlighting the critical importance of a healthy, flowing Verde River and tributary streams, like Oak Creek, to bird populations.
Each year more than 100 dedicated volunteers come out to welcome visitors, host workshops, lead field trips, and coordinate the details for the festival. If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer experience, please join us at our next planning meeting Thursday, January 19 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the Friends office in Cottonwood. RSVPs are required to ensure we have room for everyone. This is a great opportunity to meet volunteers that have been working on the festival for its 20 years and other newcomers and find out how you can be part of this wonderful event.
If you are interested in volunteering email or call Jeri Higgins at registrar@verderiver.org or call (928) 282-2202.
About Friends of the Verde River:
Friends of the Verde River (Friends) is a purpose-driven community benefit organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Friends envisions a healthy, flowing Verde River and tributaries that support our natural environment, vibrant communities, and quality of life for future generations. VerdeRiver.org
