The 14th annual Yampa Valley Crane Festival will be held on August in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig, Colorado.

Join us for guided crane viewings, bird walks, expert speakers, live raptors, films, family activities, and more. Speakers include:

- Keynote speaker Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation Co-Founder and Senior Conservationist
- Dr. Dan Collins, USFWS Rocky Mountain Sandhill Crane Expert
- Sue Riffe, Owner-Guide for She Flew Birding Tours and Bird Song Expert
- Paul Tebbel, Crane Expert
- Rebecca Weiss, author of Birds of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen-based birding guide and naturalist
- Ted Floyd, editor of Birding magazine 
- Meg Karschner, CCCC Executive Director 
- Nature's Educators showcases live raptors up close during a special presentation

Schedule of Events:

9 am: 12:30 pm: Paint A Crane with Sumi Ink at Steamboat Art Museum
Join Lauris Phillips for a morning workshop learning to paint a crane with sumi ink, based on Master Hokusai's technique of painting cranes. Well know for his Great Wave, Hokusai was a famous teacher in his day and made many "how to" manuals on drawing with a brush, including how to paint a crane with one stroke of sumi ink. Click here for more information and registration through Steamboat Art Museum.

3 - 4 pm: "Fast Talking, Slow Birding"
By Rebecca Weiss, Birding Guide, Naturalist, Writer - Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library.
Slow birding has gained traction recently as a new angle on enjoying birds. But in fact, we all have this skill set, and we always have! Rebecca will bring slow birding into focus as a part of everyone's birding repertoire, shedding light on the many benefits of this practice and taking us on a few fun tangents along the way.

3 - 8 pm: Educational Crane Displays
Outside Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library

4 - 5 pm: "Why We Love Cranes"
By Paul Tebbel, Crane Expert - Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library
This presentation combines stories and information learned from almost 50 years of studying and watching Sandhill Cranes. You'll learn about breeding, migration, plus some of the really cool crane behaviors which make them fun to watch. This program has something for all manner of crane watchers - whether it is your first time seeing them or an annual ritual - you'll learn something new.

5:15 - 6:15 pm: Spirit Wind Aerial Arts
Dancers, led by local aerialist Heidi Miller  - Library Lawn at Bud Werner Memorial Library
Dancers will perform elegant high-flying dance in the hammock and silks, suspended high over the Library Lawn.

6:30 - 7:45 pm: "State of the Birds" Update & Interactive Bird Education Stations
Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library
This event begins with a brief presentation by Ted Floyd summarizing the state of bird conservation in Colorado and highlighting the latest, "State of the Birds" report. Afterwards, explore a variety of themed stations where you can learn how to take action for birds. Learn how you can help the birds from CCCC volunteers and other bird & crane conservation organizations.

Ted Floyd and Rebecca Weiss will also host a book signing following Ted's presentation.