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Birds & Bards Festival - May 2 - 4

Spend the weekend exploring birds, poetry, and nature in over 1,000 acres of green space at the end of Boston's Emerald Necklace. The festival includes activities for children and adults, most of which are free. We hope you can join us!

Sponsored by:
Arnold Arboretum, Forest Hills Educational Trust, Franklin Park Coalition, Franklin Park Zoo, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, and Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center.

Photo by Eduardo del Solar	Friday, May 2, 2008 7:00-8:30am Morning Bird Walk Arnold Arboretum Enjoy an early morning walk with bird expert Bob Mayer and search for migrating birds amid the profusion of spring flowering plants at the Arnold Arboretum. Novices as well as experienced birders are welcome. Meet at the Hunnewell Visitor Center.
Photo by Eduardo del Solar	Friday, May 2, 2008 6:00-7:00pm Family Bird Walk With Stephen Baird Franklin Park As the sun sets, we will explore the grounds of Franklin Park trying to discover as many birds as we can. Expert birders will help point out elusive species not commonly seen by new birders. Join the fun and enjoy an evening walk outside! Meet in front of William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse.
	Friday, May 2, 2008 7:00-8:45pm Bee Movie Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse What would happen to our environment if bees went on strike? Join us for an animated movie which looks at a serious subject with a humorous twist. Then find out about the real dangers to plants, birds and animals because of the disappearing bee population in the U.S. Great for all ages!
	Saturday, May 3, 2008 7:30-10:00 am Bird Walk and Talk with Chris Leahy Boston Nature Center Christopher Leahy is the Gerard A. Bertrand Chair of Natural History and Field Ornithology at Mass Audubon. He is the author of Bird Watchers Companion. Chris will give a dynamic presentation on this year's International Migratory Bird Day theme, Tropics to Tundra: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People, following a bird walk on BNC's sanctuary. Join us in learning about migratory birds and their amazing journeys.
Photo by Eduardo del Solar	Saturday, May 3, 2008 10:00am-12:00pm Early Bird Special Franklin Park Zoo Come enjoy bird bio-facts, games, activities, bird-friendly art projects, bird books, and bird walks. Every half hour our docents will lead groups to a secret pine forest to spot local birds in their natural habitat. Half price zoo admission for all ages before noon.
	Saturday, May 3, 2008 12:00-3:00pm Join the Birds & Bards Team at the 30th Annual Wake up the Earth Festival Jamaica Plain Join the teen ambassadors from the Boston Nature Center, Franklin Park Coalition, and Franklin Park Zoo and participate in fun filled bird and nature activities. This will be taking place in the Southwest Corridor Park, adjacent to the Stony Brook T.
	Saturday, May 3, 2008 3:30-5:30 pm Trees and Poetry Arnold Arboretum Stroll through the majestic spring landscape of the Arnold Arboretum on a guided journey with writer and poet Ethan Gilsdorf. Explore the creative writing process, tap into your imagination, and listen to tree-inspired poetry. Meet at the Hunnewell Visitor Center.
Photo by Lou Wagner	Sunday, May 4, 2008 7:00-9:00am Morning Bird Walk Forest Hills Cemetery Join us early on Sunday morning to discover the birds of the season. Slowly and quietly we will explore the cemetery hoping to discover interesting birds. You will be led by Andrew Birch, a knowledgeable birder who can point out many of the elusive bird species found in our area. All birding levels are welcome, from the most casual of birders to experts!
	Sunday, May 4, 2008 10:00am, repeats at 11:00am Sanctuaries in the City Forest Hills Cemetery and Franklin Park Learn about and observe the parallels and contrasts between one of the first major garden cemeteries in Forest Hills and the last of Olmsted's great urban pleasure grounds in Franklin Park. Discover the past, present, and future of this site and marvel at its beauty and serenity! Join Olmsted National Historic Site's Alan Banks and Forest Hill's Educational Trust Director Cecily Miller. Meet at the main gate of the cemetery.
	Sunday, May 4, 2008 2:00pm Poetry in the Forsyth Chapel Forest Hills Cemetery Join Danielle Legros Georges, Lainie Senechal, Afaa M. Weaver, and the City of Boston's Poet Laureate, Sam Cornish for a late afternoon poetry reading. Admission: $5.00
	Sunday, May 4, 2008 2:00-3:00pm Boston City Chamber Singers Boston Nature Center Boston City Chamber Singers will perform choral masterpieces in an artistic and joyful style. Their eclectic repertoire will focus on spring renewal and the celebration of International Migratory Bird Day.
	Sunday, May 4, 2008 3:00-4:00pm Live Raptor Demonstrations Boston Nature Center Owls, hawks, and other amazing raptors will be the stars for this hour of learning about these majestic creatures. Presented by Blue Hills Trailside Museum, this demonstration will allow families and children to discover the natural habits of these interesting birds.

For further information on the cosponsoring organizations, please visit:
Arnold Arboretum: www.arboretum.harvard.edu
Boston Nature Center: www.massaudubon.org/boston
Forest Hills Educational Trust: www.foresthillstrust.org
Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site: www.nps.gov/frla
Franklin Park Coalition: www.franklinparkcoalition.org
Franklin Park Zoo: www.franklinparkzoo.org
For information on International Migratory Bird Day, go to www.birdday.org