Get Involved
Are you interested in volunteering for the 2026 Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival? Join us for pizza, drinks, and an informational meeting! This is a great opportunity to meet the festival staff and key members of the planning committee. Whether you’re a returning volunteer or considering joining for the first time, this meeting will give you a chance to connect with others, ask questions, and find out how you can be involved in making the festival a success. We hope to see you there!
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 4:30 – 6:00 PM
Location: Cottonwood Public Library
This orientation is your chance to:
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Meet festival staff and key members of the planning committee
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Learn about the many volunteer roles available during the festival
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Ask questions and connect with fellow birding and nature enthusiasts
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make the festival a success
Whether you’re a returning volunteer or thinking about getting involved for the first time, we’d love to see you there. Volunteering is a fun and meaningful way to support the festival while being part of a vibrant, nature-loving community.
About the Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival
Join us 100 miles north of Phoenix in North Central Arizona’s Verde Valley for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival, held each April during peak spring migration season. The festival takes place at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, located along the banks of the Verde River.
With close proximity to the Verde River, Oak Creek, Sycamore Creek, and other perennial waters, the festival offers a wide variety of guided birding tours, hikes, and educational workshops in one of Arizona’s richest birding habitats.
Led by experienced guides with deep knowledge of local birds and ecosystems, the festival is presented by Friends of the Verde River, a purpose-driven community benefit organization and 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to protect and preserve one of the last perennial flowing rivers in the American Southwest.
More Events
Friends of the Verde River is hosting the 2026 State of the Verde Watershed Conference along with field trips related to the Verde Watershed, September 15-17, 2026, at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in Camp Verde, Arizona.
See you back at Dead Horse Ranch State Park for the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival, April 23-26, 2026! Enjoy expert guides, explore diverse habitats, and embrace the beauty of spring in the Verde Valley.
Join us for Family Nature Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 AM to 3 PM at Dead Horse Ranch State Park for a fun-filled day of nature walks, hands-on activities, live animal exhibits, and more – free admission for the whole family!
