There’s more going on this weekend than Mother’s Day. International Bird Migration Day (IMBD) is being celebrated on Saturday May 9 from Central America to Canada.
It all began in 1993 by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology to raise awareness about the journey that the birds make between their summer and winter habitats.
As the project grew over the years it moved under the direction of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1995 to 2006.
Today, IMDB is run by the non-profit Environment for the Americas. While IMBD events happen year round, May has an array of activities, from bird walks and festivals to educational programs at schools and zoos. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Birds in Culture,” which looks at how birds are represented in Native cultures throughout the Americas.
So get out on Saturday and find an event near you. Click on this handy map to find events in your area.