Some of the field trips offered this year will tour the Arcata Marsh, the Headwaters Forest, various county beaches, lagoons and fern-covered canyons. Hewitt said he has been discouraged in the past by small attendance numbers. If people don't show up to wildlife and nature events, they're not environmentalists. There will be a display of environmental art included in this year's festival featuring works from 27 different artists inspired by the North Coast, according to a press release. On Friday, a reception and Gallery of Birds Art Show will be held at the Arcata Community Center.
People can meet the artists and talk to some of the weekend's field-trip leaders.
There will also be several free events that are open to the public and that include lectures on beginning birdwatching. Behney said last year's festival generated six times its cost in tourism dollars spent locally. According to a press release, at last year's festival 105 bird species were seen in a single day. The event will begin with an opening reception this Friday at 6 p.m. in the Arcata Community Center.