Wings Over Willapa Festival

Schedule of Events:

7:30-10:30am: Leadbetter Adventure

Join biological staff of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge for an exciting journey to the tip of the Long Beach Peninsula, Leadbetter Point! This is a wild place with limited human access that creates a sanctuary for wildlife, rare plants, and hundreds of bird species, including the federally threatened western snowy plover and streaked horned lark. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons are often seen. Fall migration also brings shorebirds to our estuaries and sandy beaches. The guided tour includes information about the local ecology and ongoing habitat restoration activities.

-Participants will ride in four-wheel drive vehicles provided by the refuge.
-Participants must be able to walk in loose beach sand and uneven terrain for short distances.

Location: Oysterville Beach Approach, Ocean Park

9:00am-12:00pm: Exploring Willapa Coastal Forest

Join Alex Barton and Josh Kling from Western Rivers Conservancy and Jackie Ferrier from Willapa National Wildlife Refuge for a behind the scenes look at the "Willapa Coastal Forest." This forest includes 2,366 acres of streams, wetlands and forest that became part of the Refuge earlier this year. Meet at the refuge headquarters where our adventure begins. We'll travel east to an area of the refuge not currently open to the public then hike to Bear River, an important spawning area for Chinook, coho, and chum salmon as well as steelhead, smelt and lamprey. Surrounding forests provide habitat for both resident and migratory birds as well as black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk.

-Participants will ride in festival provided 4WD vehicles.
-Trail difficulty is rated as moderate. Participants must be able to walk on unimproved trail with uneven terrain with moderate slopes for two miles.
-Light snacks and water are strongly recommended.

Location: Willapa NWR - Headquarters, 7112 67th Place, Long Beach

12:30-3:00pm: Ellsworth Creek Hike to the Giants

Hike among giants in the 7,600-acre Ellsworth Creek Preserve. This is a 3.5-mile strenuous hike through an old growth Western Red Cedar and Sitka Spruce Forest with some trees that are more than 800 years old! The Nature Conservancy purchased the entire watershed to protect old-growth forest which preserves habitat for coho and chum salmon, marbled murrelet, and large mammals like black bear, cougar, and Roosevelt elk. Along the way, Forest Manager Kyle Smith will share how a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is restoring thousands of acres of forest and miles of stream.

-Participants meet at Greenhead Slough Trail parking area then ride in festival provided 4WD vehicles.
-Trail difficulty is rated as difficult. Participants should expect a strenuous 3.5 mile hike on uneven terrain in muddy, brushy, wet conditions.
-Wear all-weather clothing and sturdy shoes. Light snacks and water are strongly recommended.

Location: Willapa NWR - Greenhead Slough, Highway 101 between Bear River Bridge and Greenhead Slough Bridge near mile marker 20.

12:30-5:30pm: Discovering Long Island

Visit the largest estuarine island on the Pacific Coast that features an ancient grove of western red cedars, some over 1,000 years old! This longer hike starts at Cutthroat Creek where a barge shuttles hikers to the island. The barge leaves at 1 PM. Once on the island, hike at your own pace 6 miles roundtrip through the heart of Long Island and the Ancient Cedar Grove, one of the last remnants of old growth coastal forest in southwest Washington. Discover information along the way from refuge staff and local experts. The last barge to Cutthroat Creek leaves the island at 5 PM.

-Trail difficulty is rated as moderate to difficult in some areas.
-Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain over a long distance (up to six miles round trip) with some hills and exposed roots.
-All participants MUST wear a Personal flotation device (PFD) on the boat. If you don't have a PFD, the festival will provide one.
-Wear all-weather clothing and appropriate footwear.
-Participants are encouraged to bring water, snacks, binoculars, camera, and insect repellant.

Location: Willapa NWR - Cutthroat Creek, located north of mile marker 24 on Highway 101

3:30-4:30pm: Meet the Wild Birds of Discovery Bay

Great for all ages so bring the entire family! Get up close to some of the most amazing birds on Earth – birds of prey! Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wild birds. Their mission is to release the birds back to their natural habitat with the skills necessary to survive. They educate, engage, and inspire communities about wild birds and issues facing them.

Some of their birds in care sustained injuries too severe for them to ever be released back to the wild and a few are imprinted on humans so they never learned how to be a wild bird. These birds have a permanent and loving home at Discovery Bay and many work Ambassadors for wild birds. Come and meet live owls, hawks, and falcons in person!

Location: Willapa NWR - Headquarters, 7112 67th Pl, Long Beach

5:30 - 7:30pm: Welcome Social

The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge kicks off the annual Wings Over Willapa Festival on Friday, September 20, at the Salt Hotel & Pub starting at 5:30 PM. Drop in anytime as this welcome social is a great opportunity to meet fellow nature lovers, birders, artists, and many of the Friends board members. Local artists will have their work on display and available for sale. Work such as glazed pottery, decorative and functional, and watercolor and acrylic artwork.

There will also be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a lap quilt - pieced and quilted by local quilter Toni Healy. The detail of the quilting design is exquisite, showing marine creatures throughout the 'ocean' section.

This is also an opportunity to ask questions about festival events and other happenings on the Long Beach Peninsula. Food for purchase and a cash bar is available at the Salt.

Location: The Salt Hotel & Pub, 111 Howerton Ave, Ilwaco

Click Here For Registration