Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival November 12 - 16, 2003 in Brevard County, Florida A celebration of birds and wildlife.

2003 Space Coast Office of Tourism Press Release

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
AT THE SEVENTH ANNUAL
BIRDING AND WILDLIFE FESTIVAL
ON FLORIDA'S SPACE COAST

SPACE COAST, Fla. – Families will flock to Florida's Space Coast, home of the largest collection of endangered wildlife and plants in the country, for the Seventh Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival Nov. 12-16, 2003. The Festival is located at Brevard Community College, Titusville Campus – 1311 N. US1 Titusville, Florida. Considered one of the premier birding festivals in the United States, the festival offers a unique opportunity to interact with the world's leading ornithologists, wildlife biologists and naturalists through a comprehensive collection of field trips, seminars, workshops, boat trips, kayak adventures and social gatherings.

Highlights include a technology and wildlife tour into restricted-access areas of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a unique guided tour to a sea turtle rehabilitation center and a tour to the home of the world's most endangered crane species, the Whooping Crane. Attendees have the opportunity to sail aboard the Wanderer, a replica of a 1903 Grand Banks Schooner, or journey offshore on an 85-foot fishing vessel to scout for Pelagic birds, which spend their entire lives at sea and are one of Florida's most sought-after birds. Visitors may also explore the Exhibit Hall which features booths with nature and wildlife crafters, artists and photographers, environmental organizations, kayak retailers, optics and camera dealers and governmental agencies.

Launching "Far Out Photo Safaris" – four months of nature getaways and personalized wildlife photo tours; world-renowned wildlife photographers Arthur Morris, Joanne Williams and Milton Heiberg will offer workshops ranging from beginning wildlife photography for amateurs to improving photography skills and macrophotography.

Birding luminaries Kenn Kauffman and Pete Dunne lead an all-star cast of presenters who will introduce attendees to the world of birds, butterflies, bats, manatees, sea turtles, reptiles, fish and more through workshops and guided field trips.

Florida's Space Coast features more than 72 miles of sun-bronzed shores, two natural inlets, a national seashore and four national wildlife refuges, in addition to the nation's most biologically diverse estuary and Florida's longest freshwater river with associated lakes and marshes. Through the assistance of the Space Coast Paddler's club, six area kayak outfitters will provide discounted trips to 15 locations -- exploring some of Florida's most famous scenic waterways.

Pre-registration is required for all field trips and fees vary. Specific times and fees for events, seminars and exhibits, directions, registration forms and special rate accommodations can be found on the festival website, www.nbbd.com/fly.

Festival sponsors include: Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism, Amtrak, Avis, BirdWatchers Digest, Boeing, Brevard Community College, Brunton Optics, Canaveral Port Authority, City of Titusville, Canon USA, Inc., Delta Airlines, Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant, Dynamac International, Inc., Eagle Optics, FLAUSA, Florida Today, Florida Power & Light, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Melbourne International Airport, National Audubon Society, Ocean Club Cruises, Pentax Corporation, Pepsi/Aquafina, Reliant Energy, US Foods, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc.

To celebrate birds and wildlife, contact Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism at (800) 93-OCEAN or the Brevard Nature Alliance at (321) 268-5224, or visit www.space-coast.com.

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FOR MORE MEDIA INFORMATION

NANCY HARTSELL -- JENNIFER KEISTER

THE ZIMMERMAN AGENCY -- 850 668.2222

NHARTSELL@ZIMMERMAN.COM

  Click here to send eMail inquiries about the Festival or Contest.