By Traci Magnus
6 of the Best Wildlife and Outdoor Festivals in the U.S.
If you are looking for a place to converse with like-minded conservationists and share your passion for all things wildlife, you are in luck—there are several such events and festivals dedicated to bringing conservationists together to tell their stories, share insights and make life-long friendships.
Whether you want to learn more about what conservationists do or you hope to connect with others who share your wildlife-related hobby, the following wildlife and outdoor festivals won’t be disappointing.
- Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Charleston, South Carolina is well known for its abundance of exciting festivals and events, but one in particular is sure to please conservationists and animal lovers. The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) attracts roughly 40,000 people each year with its three-day celebration of nature and wildlife.
SEWE attendees can get an up-close view of sporting demonstrations, learn more about today’s pressing issues of wildlife conservation, explore wildlife and nature through the lens of artists and hear from top conservationists from around the world.
The only problem with the expo is that hotels in the area fill up incredibly fast. Fortunately, there are also plenty of vacation rentals in Charleston, SC that will turn your wildlife expo into a mini vacation.
- Spring and Fall Wildlife Conservation Expo
Each year, the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) hosts their Wildlife Conservation Expos in the spring and the fall. The two exhibitions are always held in the same cities, with the Spring Expo held in Redwood City, California, and the Fall Expo in San Francisco, California.
You can always count on the WCN expos to foster insightful conversations and put on fascinating presentations by some of the top leaders in conservation from around the world. Highlights from previous expos include a discussion involving Dr. Rodney Jackson from Snow Leopard Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Rinzin Lama, in which they discussed the challenges of observing the endangered snow leopard in its natural (and incredibly cold) habitat.
- San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
If you love birds and bird watching, the San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival is sure to delight. This three-day event celebrates the migration of more than 1 million shorebirds and hundreds of thousands of other bird species as they make their return to the San Francisco Bay area.
Although you’re too late for the 2019 Flyway Festival, next year’s festival will mark its 25thyear—a cause for an even greater celebration. Typically, the festival features around 60 exhibitors, fun activities for all ages, wild bird demonstrations and art and photographer exhibits.
- Jackson Wild Summit
If seeing live animals and hearing exclusively from conservationists in the flesh is your goal, the Jackson Wild Summit may not be exactly what you had in mind. But before you pass on this incredible event, hear us out: the Jackson Wild Summit is an inspiring annual convening of filmmakers, conservationists and scientists who have collaborated to produce groundbreaking nature films.
While many conservationists are quietly working to combat pressing issues facing wildlife conservancy, most of the world doesn’t know anything about these challenges. Nature filmmakers are working to change that by educating people through film and addressing the world’s most critical environmental issues.
Whether you’re a conservationist, a scientist or someone who cares deeply about the critical issues facing our planet, the Jackson Wild Summit is worth attending (or donating to, at the least). Held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the event has been monumental in connecting educators with content creators to help improve our environment.
- Ohio Outdoor and Wildlife Expo
The Ohio Outdoor and Wildlife Expo presents the ideal opportunity to educate the entire family on birding, boating, archery and all things wildlife and outdoor education. The multi-purpose event takes place each spring and features wildlife experts who educate the public on the importance of preserving Ohio’s natural habitats. There will also be live animals native to Ohio, vendors from businesses and nonprofit organizations, games and raffles. The event is free to attend and has something for adults and kids alike.
- New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo
If you’re in the New Jersey area and love the outdoors, mark your calendar for the New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo. This annual event seeks to empower visitors to get outside and embrace different forms of outdoor recreation, from rock climbing to kayaking and wildlife watching.
The event will feature water retriever demos and birds of prey demos, along with seminars on the snakes of New Jersey and tree/bird identification walks. There will also be food and treats available from vendors. Hosted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, the family-friendly event is free to attend.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a hunter or a conservationist—or all three—attending a wildlife and outdoor exposition is guaranteed to be a good time. Not only are they a great excuse to get out with the family and learn about the world we live in, these expositions often benefit a good cause that will benefit generations to come.