Community, Conservation, and Curiosity at the Terre Haute Bird Festival

Birds have a unique way of bringing people together.

Whether you're a dedicated birder with binoculars in hand, a family looking for a fun afternoon outdoors, or someone who simply enjoys hearing birdsong on a morning walk, birds often provide a gateway to a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

That spirit was on full display at the 8th Annual Terre Haute Bird Festival, hosted by the Wabash Valley Audubon Society and Dobbs Park Nature Center.

A Natural Partnership

Credit: Wabash Valley Audubon Society

Ouabache Land Conservancy was pleased to participate in this year's festival alongside many of our conservation partners. Board members Mark Southwick and Denise Marie Sobieski represented OLC at the event, helping visitors learn more about local conservation efforts and the natural areas we help protect and steward.

The festival is a natural fit for OLC. Many of our volunteers, supporters, and board members are also active in the local birding community, creating strong connections between OLC and the Wabash Valley Audubon Society. In fact, many of the individuals who helped make the festival a success are involved with both organizations.

Throughout the day, visitors of all ages stopped to learn about birds, conservation, and opportunities to get outdoors locally. Several attendees shared their interest in hiking and exploring natural areas, providing an opportunity to introduce them to OLC preserves and programs.

Events like the Terre Haute Bird Festival highlight the strong conservation community that exists in the Wabash Valley and the many ways people can get involved—whether through birding, volunteering, hiking, habitat stewardship, or simply spending time outdoors.

Learning to Notice

One of the festival's activities invited participants to do something deceptively simple: stay in one place and pay attention.

At the Bird Sit station along Dobbs Park's Easy Access Trail, participants observed birds by both sight and sound, recording 24 species throughout the event. Visitors also learned how tools like the Merlin Bird ID app can help identify birds and deepen their understanding of the natural world.

Credit: Wabash Valley Audubon Society

The activity served as a reminder that meaningful wildlife experiences don't always require traveling far or finding something rare. Sometimes they begin simply by slowing down and noticing what is already there.

Visitors also had the opportunity to observe bird netting demonstrations, where several birds—including house wrens, a Carolina chickadee, and a red-bellied woodpecker—were safely captured for educational purposes before being released. These hands-on experiences helped visitors gain a closer appreciation for the birds that share our local landscapes.

Birds as a Gateway to Conservation

For many people, birding is more than a hobby. It is often one of the first ways people connect with conservation.

Birds depend on healthy forests, wetlands, waterways, and grasslands. Protecting and stewarding these places benefits not only wildlife, but also the people who enjoy experiencing nature firsthand.

From guided bird hikes and educational programs to projects like the Motus Wildlife Tracking System at Atherton Island Natural Area, bird conservation and wildlife observation continue to play an important role in OLC's work and partnerships.

Building Conservation Community

We're grateful to the Wabash Valley Audubon Society, Dobbs Park Nature Center, Providence Wildlife Rehabilitation, and the many volunteers who helped make this year's festival a success.

Most of all, we're thankful for everyone who came out to learn, explore, and share their enthusiasm for birds. Events like this remind us that conservation is ultimately about connection between people, wildlife, and the places we all care about.