Celebrating Wonder & Wildlife in Marin County & Beyond
April 25th - 27th, 2025
Point Reyes National Seashore provides the main backdrop for our festival, which offers some of the finest birding in the United States with over 70,000 acres of habitat including estuaries, grasslands, coastal scrub, and forest with a strong influence from the Pacific Ocean. We're talking about one of the only ten federally protected seashores in the entire United States! Imagine the Pacific Flyway, the mighty Pacific Ocean, and a myriad of influences converging into the perfect backdrop for an unparalleled birding and wildlife viewing experience.
Point Reyes has earned its stripes as the National Audubon Society’s #1 birding hotspot for several consecutive years. Why, you ask? Because more than 54% of all North American bird species have been spotted and recorded right here! In April, the Mediterranean climate of California sets the stage for a spectacular show, where wintering and breeding birds overlap in this coastal hotspot.
Picture this:
60+ guided field events covering a range of flora and fauna, and opportunities for hiking, kayaking, art, nature writing, and more. All events are led by passionate birders and naturalists across Marin County and beyond. These events are geared to bring a broader awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of Marin and beyond.
Friday Fauna Forum: Apex Predators of Land & Sea with Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Living with Lions Program & The California White Shark Project. This special gathering includes a one-hour social time with light refreshments.
Saturday Social & Keynote Benefit: Keith Hansen in Conversation with Amy Tan on Backyard Birds. This special gathering includes an outdoor dinner and drinks, plus music and games.
And, a FREE, public Sunday Family Fun Day in Point Reyes Station for families with budding birders (youth ages 3+), young birders (8-16), and more.
But hold your binoculars; there's more! Point Reyes isn't just a haven for our feathered friends; it's a coastal hotspot for whales, elk, wildflowers, and a myriad of other wildlife. It's not just about the birds; it's about encountering the entire cast of characters in this ecological play—insects, deer, foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, weasels, seals, river otters, and an array of amphibians and reptiles.
And here's the cherry on top: your participation supports the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC), a nonprofit with a 53+ year legacy of protecting the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of coastal Marin. This isn't just a weekend getaway; it's a commitment to advocacy, education, and engagement programs year-round.
Since 1971, the EAC has been making waves (pun intended) with successes like protecting the Tomales Dunes at Dillon Beach, preserving wilderness at Drakes Estero, safeguarding eelgrass habitat in Tomales Bay, securing bans on offshore oil and gas development in Marin County, and so much more.