Entry Period: Jan 1 - Feb 5, 2023

Categories:

Online registration is required. 

​Location	Princess Anne Recreation Center
​Fee	Free
​Date & Time	Saturday,  January 28 | 10 am - 3 pm

VENDOR SLOTS ARE FULL FOR THE 2023 WWF EXHIBIT HALL.

Deadline to submit: December 16, 2022. Applications submitted after December 16, 2022, will be reviewed. If accepted payment will incur an additional $10 late fee.

2023 Exhibit Hall Vendors

Register for Trips & Excursions

Trips & Excursions (listed in alphabetical order)

Birds in the City; ages 13 & up - Discover a variety of interesting birds that spend the winter in Virginia Beach on this introductory bird walk around Mount Trashmore Park. Even in the heart of the city, in this urban park, a surprising number of birds may be found. We will walk the paved paths around the park, primarily focusing on observing its two lakes. Binoculars will be available for loan and your guide will teach you how to use them. No previous birding experience is needed. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers appropriate for the winter weather.  Recommended for anyone interested in giving birding a try or just simply wishing to spend a morning outdoors connecting with nature.

• Location: Meets at Mount Trashmore Park (310 Edwin Drive)
• $5
• Wednesday, February 1 | 9am-11am

The Birds and History of Fort Monroe; ages 13 & up – Enjoy a birding tour and history talk at Virginia's landmark Fort Monroe, also known as "Freedom's Fortress." A Park Ranger with the Fort Monroe National Monument will discuss the historical significance of the area. Then, we will walk the Fort Monroe seawall, a paved walkway that overlooks the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and James River to look for migratory waterfowl, sea ducks, and seabirds. After the seawall, transportation will be provided to check out additional birding vantage points around the area, including Fort Monroe's northern end that overlooks Mill Creek and the Hampton River, which in addition to the waterbirds, provide an opportunity to spot wintering songbirds and raptors. 

• Location: Meets at Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center (30 Ingalls Road, Fort Monroe, VA)
• $30
• Friday, February 3 | 8:30am-12:30pm

Birding Skill-builder Field Session; ages 13 & up –  Join Jessica Ruthenberg, a DWR Watchable Wildlife Biologist, for an introductory bird walk at Pleasure House Point Natural Area to practice the new birding skills gained in the accompanying workshop (see festival workshops for details). The area is an excellent spot to observe seabirds, waterfowl, songbirds, and more. Binoculars will be available for loan and Jessica will teach you how to use them. Participants in this field session are encouraged to also register for the accompanying optional workshop, but it is not a pre-requisite for attending this field session. If you have your own and prefer to use those, you are welcome to bring them. Participation in the accompanying workshop is not a prerequisite for this field session, but is encouraged. Recommended for new or casual birders.  

• Location: Meets at Brock  Enviromental Center Parking Lot (3663 Marlin Bay Drive VB)
• $5
• Monday, January 30 | 9am-12pm

NEW Birding with award-winning guide & tour of CBF Green Building; ages 12 & up - Join the heated Nature Bus and bird expert James Abbott for a guided walk at Pleasure House Point. The "National Park Service, Excellence in Education Award" was given to James a couple of months ago!  Pleasure House Point is a winter birding hotspot. Almost all of our local waterfowl species can be observed here, as well as wintering shorebirds and songbirds. We will tour the marshes, woodlands, and open water areas.  After our winter walk, hot chocolate and coffee will be served to you inside of CBF's Living Building Certified Brock Environmental Center. We will be met by a second tour guide, who will show off the behind the scenes of this spectacular building. This is one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings IN THE WORLD! Transportation is included and required for participation. Visit thenaturebus.com for more trip details; be sure to click the green button for important information!

• Location: Meets at Princess Anne Rec Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
• $45
• Saturday, January 28 | 8am-12pm

Blue Goose Birding Tram Tour; ages 16 & up - Winter is an exciting time of year at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. Ducks, geese and swans overwinter in our area and use the Refuge and State Park as feeding and resting grounds. On our birding tram we will focus on viewing opportunities of these and other winter migrants. Binoculars are recommended for this trip.Transportation is included and required for participation. Trip fees cover transportation & state park activity costs; tour and admission to refuge is free. 

• Location: Meets at Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
• $15
• Sunday, January 29 | 8am-12:30pm
• Sunday, February 5 | 8am-12:30pm

Blue Goose History & Wildlife Tram Tour; all ages – Adventure doesn't disappear in the winter! The Blue Goose Wildlife Tram takes passengers through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. We observe wintering ducks, geese and swans, visit the cemetery of the historic community of Wash Woods and discuss what makes this part of Virginia Beach a unique and exciting place. This trip includes an optional, one-mile hike. The tram is an open-air vehicle, please be prepared for the weather! Transportation is included and required for participation. Trip fees cover transportation & state park costs; admission to refuge is free.

• Location: Meets at Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
• $15
• Saturday, January 28 | 12:30pm-5pm
• Wednesday, February 1 | 8am-12:30pm
• Saturday, February 4 |  12:30pm-5pm

Cape Henry Tour: ages 8 & up – This trip highlights two destinations in the historic Cape Henry area of Virginia Beach; First Landing State Park and the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse located on Fort Story. These locations offer views of the Chesapeake Bay where shorebirds, wintering seabirds, and waterfowl can be plentiful. In addition to wildlife viewing this trip will include historical information on the first landing of the Virginia Company and the old Cape Henry Lighthouse. Participants 16 & older are required to bring a government-issued picture ID for access to Fort Story.  All experience levels welcome. Must be 42 inches to climb lighthouse. Transportation is included and required for participation.  

• Location: Meets at Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
• $15
• Saturday, January 28 | 8:30am-11:30am

Chesapeake Bay Birding Boat Trip; ages 16 & up - View the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Islands up close and personal! This boat trip offers eye-level views of birds, harbor seals and other wildlife on and around the CBBT islands. This is an excellent opportunity to view sea ducks, shorebirds and seabirds. Recommended for experienced birders. Please wear (and bring extra) warm layers, a hat, gloves or mittens, and a wind- or water-proof outer layer.

• Location: Meets at Dockside Marina (3311 Shore Drive)
• $45
• Saturday, January 28 | 8am-11:30am
• Saturday, February 4 | 8am-11:30am

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel 4^th Island; ages 12 & up – The man-made islands of the CBBT that support the bridge provide rest stops for migrating and wintering birds. The islands can offer unusual or locally rare sightings. Northern gannet, brant, king eider, harlequin duck, little gull, great cormorant, purple sandpiper and rarities such as black-tailed gull make this one of the best winter birding sites in Virginia. The presence of the occasional harbor seals and wintering whales adds to the appeal of this unique site. Additional registration form required by Jan 18 for all participants. Due to construction this trip will visit the 4^th island only.  All experience levels welcome. Transportation is included and required for participation.   

• Location: Meets at Bayside Rec Center (4500 First Court Road)
• $15
• Sunday, January 29 | 8:30am-10am
• Sunday, February 5 | 8:30am-10am
• Registrants must complete the Individual Security Form to participate. 

NEW Definitely not Dismal: A history and nature tour!; ages 12 & up – If there were a place that was at once, one of the largest peat bogs in North America, the most important wildlife habitats in Mid-Atlantic region, once over 1.28 million acres of wilderness, listed by Audubon Society as a Globally Important Area, designated as an Underground Railroad Network Freedom Site, would you go? What if it is one of the top three homes for Black Bears in the East, with more than 200 bird species, 334 plants from 100 plant families? How about if this place was where the poet Robert Frost came to commit suicide, or the place George Washington came to drain the swamp? Or just simply join notable visitors including Poe, Wordsworth, Sir Thomas Moore, Madison, Monroe, and Harriett Tubman? Here's your chance! Your guided tour includes two (2) expert guides: a historian and a naturalist! An educational power point presentation will be conducted on board the bus during travel to the refuge. Transportation is included and required for participation. Visit thenaturebus.com for trip itinerary; be sure to click the green button for important information!

• Location: Meets at Mount Trashmore Park (310 Edwin Drive)
• $75
  
• Tuesday, January 31 | 9am-4pm

NEW Eastern Shore Birding & Lunch; ages 12& up – Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, an engineering marvel from Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore; they have a slogan over there "You'll Love Our Nature!"  The Eastern Shore of Virginia plays host to tens of thousands of waterfowl every winter season. This provides opportunities to observe truly spectacular congregations of birds on the water and in farm fields. In early February, in particular, large flocks of snow geese and other waterfowl congregate on the eastern shore as they make their way back north. We will be visiting several protected areas. Join the heated Nature Bus and bird expert James Abbott for a trip through the birding hotspots of Northampton County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. We will be mostly on the heated bus, driving the majority of the time, hopping on and off of the bus to view birds at a variety of locations, and with a 1.5 hour break for lunch. Although there is never a guarantee as to which birds we will actually spot, we will go on a search to see and photograph species such as Snow Goose, Tundra Swan, and Brant. We may even have a chance to see regionally rare species such as Ross's Goose, Cackling Goose, Greater-white fronted Goose, and Trumpeter Swan. Transportation is included and required for participation. Visit thenaturebus.com for more trip details; be sure to click the green button for important information!

• Location: Meets at Bayside Rec Center (4500 First Court Road)
• $60
  
• Saturday, February 4 | 9:30am-4:30pm

Exploring Virginia's Seaside Lagoon System; ages 16 & up– The first weekend trip in January will start on a rising tide and go through mid-low tide whereas the second weekend trip in February will start on a dropping tide and go through mid-high tide, each offering unique opportunities to see birds in a variety of habitats.  Both boat trips begin in Oyster Harbor and will meander along salt marshes looking for shorebirds and other water birds, raptors, seals and other interesting wildlife as we make our way toward the barrier islands. If weather conditions allow, we will disembark on Wreck Island, a remote barrier island owned and managed by the VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program. There we may encounter flocks of dunlin, American oystercatchers and other shorebirds.  Depending on the tide, we may head north to Little Cobb and Cobb islands to look for roosting flocks of shorebirds, rafts of sea ducks and other treasures. Please keep in mind, this trip is weather dependent and may be cancelled if conditions are deemed too dangerous. The decision to go or cancel will be made by 5 pm the night before. Keep in mind temperatures and windchills are much colder on the water than on land. Please wear (and bring extra) warm layers and bring a hat, gloves or mittens, a wind- or water-proof outer layer, and waterproof knee or hip boots for getting in and out of the boat. You are also strongly encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses. Bring your favorite binoculars, spotting scopes are optional. Trip leaders will bring light snacks and water and several spotting scopes. 

• Location: Meets at Oyster Boat Ramp (Crumb Hill Road, Oyster, VA)
• $40
• Saturday, January 28 12pm-4pm (inclement weather date: 1/29/23)
• Saturday, February 4 11am-3pm (inclement weather date: 2/5/22)

False Cape After Dark all ages - Take an open-air tram ride through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and explore False Cape State Park after dark! This program includes a guided hike through pristine maritime forest and dune habitats and out to the beach. We will call for owls along the way and check out the night sky (weather permitting) when we reach the beach. Expect to walk approximately 1.5 miles (round trip), partially over soft sand. ALL guests must wear a face mask while on the tram. Dress warmly, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a flashlight! Note: This program will be cancelled if temperatures are below freezing.

• Location: False Cape State Park; meets at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (4005 Sandpiper Rd.)
• $10
• Saturday, January 28 and Friday, February 3 | 6pm-9pm THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED.

First Landing Nature Walk; ages 5 & up – Experience firsthand the amazing habitats that exist within First Landing State Park. Discover what makes the park's environment so unique that it has been made a national natural area. The 2-mile hike will take participants across swamp overlooks and through maritime forest in search of wildlife and natural phenomena found within the park. All experience levels welcome.