Photo Credit: Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce

Registration is open for the annual Whooping Crane Festival scheduled for February 22-25, 2018 in Port Aransas, Texas. The festival is open to birders, photographers, families, and anyone who loves the outdoors and nature-related activities.

This festival is a one of a kind event, focused on the Whooping Crane-the rarest of cranes and one of the most endangered birds in the world. The Whooping Crane Festival celebrates the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The Texas Coastal Bend is the only place where you can see the world’s last naturally-occurring population of Whooping Cranes.

World renowned crane expert, Dr. George Archibald, Co-Founder of the International Crane Foundation, will be one of the featured speakers, along with Joe Duff, Co-Founder and CEO of Operation Migration. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to take guided boat tours to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to view the world’s last naturally-occurring population of Whooping Cranes on their wintering grounds. Additional festival activities include birding and nature boat and bus tours, interactive workshops and seminars, a painting and wine tasting class, and a free nature-related trade show.

Discover the original ISLAND LIFE destination – Port Aransas & Mustang Island. Experience our 18 miles of wide, sandy beaches, world class watersport activities, sport fishing, kayaking, nature preserves, championship golf, and more. Port A is famous for nightlife and endless varieties of food, entertainment and great shopping. Accommodations for all lifestyles and budgets include hotels, vacation homes, condos, cottages, and RV parks.

For more information and online registration, visit www.whoopingcranefestival.org or https://www.whoopingcranefestival.org/download/home/Birds_Nature_PortA2016.pdf

Online registration closes at 12:00 p.m. CT on February 19. Onsite registration will open on February 22 at 1:00 p.m. at the Port Aransas Civic Center and run daily through the festival.