The Alabama Coastal BirdFest will host its 17th annual festival this week in and around Spanish Fort. The South Alabama Land Trust will host the four-day event, which will include everything from guided walking tours and boat trips to workshops focused on the state’s hummingbird and butterfly species.

Although the coronavirus pandemic caused the festival to be canceled last year, the organization is delighted that the event is once again taking place on an annual basis. BirdFest will also host new events to celebrate its return. One event includes an expert-led workshop on how to build a suitable backyard habitat for the conservation of native plants, birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Communications coordinator Diana Brewer said the festival has always been well received due to the Gulf Coast’s reputation as one of the Southeast’s top birding spots. Since its inception in 2004, the Alabama Coastal BirdFest has raised more than $ 100,000 to preserve and protect vital bird and wildlife habitats on the Gulf Coast.

This week’s festival will also be its most popular year yet. It is expected to attract up to 400 local, national and international visitors during its four days of outdoor and indoor events. Brewer said she hopes visitors not only understand SALT’s reasons for conserving Alabama lands, but also find their own reasons for conserving it.

“Birds understand that, they want to be able to go to places where there are a lot of places where birds can migrate, nest, and so on. something that will bring people out and experience it, ”she said.

Besides its ecological impact, Brewer said the festival also offers many benefits to southern Alabama, including the growth of local businesses.

“The economic impact is excellent. We have people from all over the country that I mentioned, so there is an impact on hotel rooms, accommodation and restaurants and things like that, ”she said.

Registrations for all outdoor events are closed. However, The Bird and Conservation Expo is free to all potential visitors on Saturday, October 9. The exhibit is located on the Fairhope campus of Coastal Alabama Community College and will feature family-friendly activities including touch tanks, after-shows, and state vendors.