2016 International Migratory Bird Day Celebration

Conservation Organizations Collaborate to Host Community Events

WATSONVILLE — For the first time, four unique conservation organizations located in the Pajaro Valley of Central California are collaborating together to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. The Watsonville Wetlands Watch, City of Watsonville Nature Center, Monterey Bay Birding Festival Association, and Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve are working in cooperation to hold free, fun-filled community events that highlight these birds and the forest and wetland habitats they live in on the coast of the Monterey Bay.

The community is invited to attend the following events to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day 2016 in the Pajaro Valley of Central California:

Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Family Fun Activities sponsored by Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve: Address: 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Call 831.728.2822 for more information.

Saturday, May 14

8 am to 10 am: Bird Walk sponsored by Monterey Bay Birding Festival. Meet at East Struve Slough trailhead located at the back of the West Marine parking lot. Address: 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville. Please register at www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.

10 am to 12 pm: Bird Walk sponsored by Watsonville Wetlands Watch. Meet at Fitz Wetlands Education Resource Center located at the upper, back of the Pajaro Valley High School. Address: 500 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville. Please register at www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Family Fun Activities sponsored by City of Watsonville Nature Center. Address: 30 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville. Call 831-768-1622 for more information.

International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), which is celebrated in May, was created in 1993. IMBD is now the premier education project of Environment for the Americas.

This year’s theme, “Spread Your Wings for Bird Conservation,” celebrates programs and laws that safeguard birds and their habitats, including a landmark treaty that has protected nearly all migratory bird species in the U.S. and Canada for the last century. The goal of IMBD is to connect people to nature through birds and to help people understand the importance of bird and habitat conservation.

Now in its 26th year, IMBD continues to focus attention on the life of a migratory bird — its journey between summer and winter homes. Today, IMBD is celebrated in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Central America. We invite you to join us in this important celebration!

•••

To learn more about: IMBD and EFTA, visit www.migratorybirdday.org/ • Watsonville Wetlands Watch, visit www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org/ • City of Watsonville Nature Center, visit www.cityofwatsonville.org/ • Monterey Bay Birding Festival, visit www.montereybaybirding.org/ • Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, visit www.elkhornslough.org