Stikine River Birding Festival - Guest Speaker Vasily Baranyuk

Calendar Date:
Thursday, April 25, 2013 - 7:00pm

<p><a href="http://www.wrangell.com/node/12098/edit">Vasily Baranyuk</a> is a Russian biologist and photographer who has studied Wrangel Island, Russia, the northernmost World Heritage Site, for the last thirty summers&nbsp; and is an expert on wildlife there,&nbsp; including the summer nesting populations of snow geese.</p>

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<h2 class="rtecenter">Stikine River Birding Festival</h2>

<h2 class="rtecenter">Schedule of Events</h2>

<p><u><strong>April 22 &ndash; April 28</strong></u><br />
All Day Classes at Wrangell Public Schools<br />
Guest artist Kathy Hocker will teach art classes for the students of Wrangell. Stop by the Nolan Center on the 25th to admire the students&rsquo; artwork.</p>

<p>Photo Contest &ndash; FREE to enter<br />
Start taking photos! For detailed photo contest rules, go to www.stikinebirding.org. Entries due at the Nolan Center by&nbsp; 5:00pm, Tuesday,&nbsp; April 23, 2013. Winners will be announced at the Thursday night reception.</p>

<p>Bird Calling Contest- FREE to enter<br />
Work on your best duck or songbird call for our first annual SRBF Calling Contest on Friday! Go to www.stikinebirding.org&nbsp; for details.&nbsp; Please sign-up beforehand with your bird of choice by emailing or calling Corree Delabrue (Hcsdelabrue@fs.fed.usH or 874-7563) by 3pm April 25th. Both youth and adult contests, with fun prizes!</p>

<p>Kathy Hocker Art Exhibit - FREE<br />
Selected pieces of guest artist Kathy Hocker will be on display beginning on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the James &amp; Elsie Nolan Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Sponsored by: US Forest Service</p>

<p>Available Daily - Charter Tours on the Stikine River<br />
Take a jet boat ride to enjoy wildlife and bird viewing in the beautiful setting of the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness. Contact local charter operators or Wrangell CVB at 800-367-9745. Advanced reservations required.</p>

<p><br />
<u><strong>Thursday - April 25&nbsp;</strong></u><br />
10:00 am&ndash; 11:00am Story Time &ndash; FREE<br />
Bring the little ones for readings from children&rsquo;s books.&nbsp; Located and&nbsp; Sponsored by: Irene Ingle Public Library</p>

<p>6:00 - 7:00 pm SRBF Reception and Book Signing- FREE<br />
Come by and meet our guest artist Kathy Hocker and guest speaker Vasily Baranyuk over snacks and refreshments. Admire both Kathy&rsquo;s art on display, as well as the work from local Wrangell students. Kathy will be signing copies of her books. Photo contest winners will be announced.<br />
Location: Nolan Center</p>

<p>7:00 pm Vasily Baranyuk, &ldquo;Snow Geese &amp; Wildlife of Wrangel Island, Russia&rdquo; &ndash; FREE<br />
Have you ever wondered where the snow geese you see in spring are heading? Don&rsquo;t miss this opportunity to find out more about the snow geese breeding grounds of Wrangel Island, Russia, during a presentation from Russian biologist and accomplished photographer Vasily Baranyuk.<br />
Location: James &amp; Elsie Nolan Center<br />
Sponsored by: US Forest Service<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Friday - April 26<br />
9:00am Sitka Raptor Center Presentation to Evergreen Elementary School&nbsp; (for students)</p>

<p><br />
Friday - April 26 cont.</p>

<p>12:00pm -12:30pm Sitka Raptor Center Presentation to Seniors at the Senior Center</p>

<p>6:00 pm Bird Calling Contest &ndash; FREE<br />
It&rsquo;s time to polish up on your best bird imitations! Whether you can whistle like a thrush or honk like a goose, enter this fun, light-hearted contest for a chance to earn prizes!<br />
Location: Evergreen Elementary School Gym</p>

<p>7:00pm Sitka Raptor Center Public Presentation &ndash; FREE<br />
Come join us for a fun live bird presentation. Representatives from the Sitka Raptor Center are bringing two birds to share with the Community.&nbsp;<br />
Location: Evergreen Elementary School Gym.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sponsored by: The City and Borough of Wrangell</p>

<p>Saturday - April 27&nbsp;<br />
7:00am Breakfast with the Birds - FREE<br />
Join local author and birder Bonnie Demerjian on a morning bird walk.&nbsp; A continental breakfast is provided!&nbsp;<br />
Location:&nbsp; Muskeg Meadows Golf Course</p>

<p>10:15am &ndash; 12:15am Nature Sketching Workshop with Visiting Artist Kathy Hocker<br />
Learn the basics of nature sketching with the SRBF guest artist in an outdoor/indoor workshop. Materials supplied.<br />
Cost: $10.&nbsp; Location: Meet at the Evergreen Elementary School Music Room. Dress appropriately, may walk to Volunteer Park Trail.</p>

<p>10:00 am &ndash; 12:00pm Archaeology Activity - FREE<br />
Paint Tlingit designs on red cedar shingles using fish eggs.<br />
Location: Covered Basketball Court by Evergreen Elementary. Sponsored by: US Forest Service</p>

<p>10:00 am &ndash;12:00 Wrangell Community Market<br />
The first Community Market for 2013 will be held at the covered basketball court by Evergreen Elementary School. View various artists&rsquo; handiwork and goodies for sale.</p>

<p>1:00pm &ndash; 4:00pm Sketch the Stikine with Visiting Artist Kathy Hocker<br />
Join Kathy Hocker on a field trip on the Stikine River to practice nature sketching in a beautiful setting!&nbsp;&nbsp; Cost: $125-Materials supplied.<br />
RSVP: Summit Charters at 874-2402; advanced sign-up is required as the class is limited to 8 people. Location: Visiting Stikine River locations on the M/V Denali</p>

<p>1:00pm &ndash; 2:00pm Critter Craft: Bird Feeders - FREE<br />
Stop by and make your very own bird feeder. Remember to bring your own hammer.<br />
Location: Outside the James &amp; Elsie Nolan Center<br />
Sponsored by: Angerman&rsquo;s Inc. and Outlet &amp; US Forest Service</p>

<p>2:00pm &ndash; 3:00pm Bird Olympics &ndash; FREE Childrens&rsquo; Activity<br />
Are you as fast as a peregrine? Hungry as a shorebird? Find out as we participate in the Bird Olympics! Prizes!<br />
Location: Outside James &amp; Elsie Nolan Center</p>

<p>6:00 pm Ducks Unlimited Banquet with No Host Cocktails<br />
Dinner served at 7:00 pm. Raffles along with live and silent auctions following dinner. For more information or to buy tickets call Keene Kohrt at 907-874-3877.<br />
Cost: Individuals $60, Couples $85; Includes membership.&nbsp;&nbsp; Location:&nbsp; The Elk&rsquo;s Lodge</p>