Bird Fest 2003
April 25, 2003
Media Contacts
Mike
Morgan (202) 673-0209
Matt Olear (202) 673-4925
Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park Hosts “Bird Fest 2003” April
26 and 27
Celebrate the return of billions of migratory birds from wintering grounds in Latin America and the Caribbean. Held in recognition of the 11th annual International Migratory Bird Day, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo will host “Bird Fest 2003” tomorrow, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 from 10 am to 4 pm. This free festival will feature interactive displays by environmental organizations; hands-on activities and crafts for kids; educational talks with live birds; a bird-friendly shade-grown coffee tasting; and live performances about birds by the Evergreen Theatre Society of Alberta, Canada. There will be something for everyone, and the whole “flock” is invited.
Founded in 1993 by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, International Migratory Bird Day is now the hallmark event of “Partners in Flight,” an international coalition whose mission is to conserve migratory birds. Each spring, hundreds of events occur in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America to celebrate the epic journeys of millions of migratory birds that breed in the United States and Canada and winter in Latin America and the Caribbean. These so-called “Neotropical migratory birds” include many familiar species, such as the Baltimore oriole, ruby-throated hummingbird, and wood thrush, the official bird of Washington, D.C.
Bird Fest 2003 is organized by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center with the assistance of Friends of the National Zoo and generous support from the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program, USDA Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Admission to the National Zoo is free of charge. The Zoo is open 10 am to 8 pm daily. The National Zoo is located on the METRO Red Line and is serviced by both the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and the Cleveland Park stations.
