Bird & Nature Festival

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A close-up of a cardinal.

Has anyone noticed the insistence of the cardinals this spring? It’s like they’re trying to tell us something. Find out more about birds and their world at this family-friendly event hosted by Madison Friends of Urban Nature that ropes in Earth Day, Arbor Day and Madison’s status as a Bird City. Many nature groups will have booths highlighting their activities, there will be a tree planting, and a beach walk, and the opportunity to see Warner’s eagles and their nest through binoculars. Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck and Kona Ice will be on hand for snacking.

media release: The 2025 Bird & Nature Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day.  See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays throughout the day.  Plan 30-45 minutes for your visit anytime between 12 and 4 pm, during this ongoing event.

• All ages welcome
• Free admission
• Restrooms available 
• Free parking

Open Door Bird Sanctuary will be back with their wonderful ongoing walk-up Live Raptor Show.  This year will feature a number of educational presentations including Scout Purple Martin Projects, Attracting Bluebirds, Who is Edna Taylor, Save Our Songbirds, Why Care About Trees, Great Wisconsin BIrdathon, Water Action Volunteers, and Parks Ecology.  There will also be a number of special outdoor activities including Help Raise a Martin House, Help Seed Wildflowers in Warner Woods, Scope the Warner Eagle Nest Eaglets, Take a Canoe for a Paddle, and Try Kids Fishing at the Pier.

Organizations participating include:

Open Door Bird Sanctuary

Madison Parks and Parks Ecology Team

Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature

Wild Warner

Friends of Cherokee Marsh

Friends of Starkweather Creek

Friends of Owen Park

Friends of Edna Taylor

Friends of Olin Turville

Friends of Hartmeyer Natural Area

Friends of Lakeshore Nature Preserve

Friends of Lakeview Hill

Wisconsin DNR Bat Cave

Quercus Restoration

East High Strings

Ken Lonnquist Music

Wingin It Bird Band with PolKalamity

International Crane Society

Dane County Humane Society Wildlife Center

Dane County Extension Water Action Volunteers

Dane County Extension Tree Canopy 

Reptiles and Herps with Eric Roscoe

WPCRC Recreation Canoes and Fishing

Natural Resources Foundation

Save Our Songbirds

Southern Wisconsin BIrd Alliance Info and Mobility

West High Ornithology

UW Student Audubon

Bluebird Restoration of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Purple Martin Association

Scout Troop 127 and Scout Troop 88

Eagle Watch

Wild Ones

Yahara Fishing Club

HUA Labs Friends of Amphibianst

UW Zoology Museum

Four Lakes Sierra Club

Wisconsin Food Forest

East High Engineering

Get Kids Outside

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Volunteer Opportunity: Interested in assisting? We have various volunteer roles available to make this event a success! To learn more please contact Parks Volunteer Coordinator.

For more information about the event and to exhibit, call Paul Noeldner (608) 698-0104