Join herpetologist Raymond Corey for his up-close and interactive presentation of Alabama’s venomous snakes and other native reptiles!

Raymond Corey is a renowned herpetologist and conservation educator whose lifelong dedication to reptiles and amphibians has significantly impacted Alabama's wildlife community. Born in upstate New York and raised in Pennsylvania, Corey's passion ignited during childhood, where he studied herpetofauna extensively and learned safe handling of venomous snakes at a young age.

Upon relocating to Alabama, he founded and presides over the Alabama Herpetological Society, a key organization promoting research, conservation, and public outreach for native species. Corey also administers the thriving Alabama Reptile & Amphibians ID and Education Facebook group, with nearly 50,000 members relying on it for accurate identifications, educational resources, and efforts to combat common myths.

In 2018, Corey co-developed the Venomous Improved Preparedness for Emergency Responders (VIPER) class with Jimmy Stiles from Auburn University. This specialized training teaches first responders essential skills in snake identification, safe handling, and bite protocols, uniquely offering Continuing Education Credits. In 2025, VIPER earned the Best Environmental Education Community Project Award from the Environmental Education Association of Alabama.

Through hands-on presentations, community events, and steadfast advocacy, Corey continues to inspire responsible wildlife stewardship and protect Alabama's diverse herpetofauna.

Conservation photographer Michael Forsberg will share insights from his 30-year career documenting the Great Plains and beyond. In this workshop, he’ll offer tips on crafting compelling photographic compositions and teach fundamental techniques to help you feel more confident and prepared in the field.

There will be a book signing opportunity immediately following Michael’s presentations for his acclaimed book Into Whooperland - A Photographer's Journey with Whooping Cranes . You can find him in the ACA Performing Arts Building Lobby after both presentations. Don’t miss the chance to meet the author and take home a signed copy!

Join herpetologist Raymond Corey for his up-close and interactive presentation of Alabama’s venomous snakes and other native reptiles!

Raymond Corey is a renowned herpetologist and conservation educator whose lifelong dedication to reptiles and amphibians has significantly impacted Alabama's wildlife community. Born in upstate New York and raised in Pennsylvania, Corey's passion ignited during childhood, where he studied herpetofauna extensively and learned safe handling of venomous snakes at a young age.

Upon relocating to Alabama, he founded and presides over the Alabama Herpetological Society, a key organization promoting research, conservation, and public outreach for native species. Corey also administers the thriving Alabama Reptile & Amphibians ID and Education Facebook group, with nearly 50,000 members relying on it for accurate identifications, educational resources, and efforts to combat common myths.

In 2018, Corey co-developed the Venomous Improved Preparedness for Emergency Responders (VIPER) class with Jimmy Stiles from Auburn University. This specialized training teaches first responders essential skills in snake identification, safe handling, and bite protocols, uniquely offering Continuing Education Credits. In 2025, VIPER earned the Best Environmental Education Community Project Award from the Environmental Education Association of Alabama.

Through hands-on presentations, community events, and steadfast advocacy, Corey continues to inspire responsible wildlife stewardship and protect Alabama's diverse herpetofauna.

Jessie Taylor has been a Farm Bill Biologist II with Quail Forever since 2023. Quail Forever is a nonprofit organization that works with private landowners to improve wildlife habitat on their properties. She oversees the North 14 counties of Alabama, provides technical assistance to landowners seeking habitat management recommendations, and assists governmental agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with wildlife and forestry-related projects.

Jessie will be discussing the similarities in habitat between cranes and quail. As a former Whooping Crane Outreach Assistant with the International Crane Foundation, she has a unique perspective on how managing for quail can impact migrating cranes in North Alabama.

Cranes have been a part of human culture around the world for thousands of years. These majestic birds have captivated the hearts and minds of the inhabitants on all 5 continents in which they are found. During this engaging and entertaining presentation, guests will learn all about the natural history of cranes around the world, discover their importance in culture and folklore, and hear the poignant story of Whooping Crane conservation.

Join ICF’s crane behavior workshop for families, where Anne Lacy and other staff from the International Crane Foundation lead an engaging exploration of crane biology and conservation

Once you see your first crane, watching their behavior raises many questions. These might range from how they interact with each other and with other species, to why and when they are territorial, to how they respond to changes in their environment. Cranes are ideal subjects for behavior studies because of their large size and their social nature within a bonded pair, family group, and subadult cohorts. While scientific studies often customize the various categories, one can begin with the basic five: foraging, alert, social, comfort, and locomotion. 

In this workshop, International Crane Foundation staff will begin with an introduction of the behavior terms, crane morphology, and life history stages. Following the presentation, they will lead an interactive activity where participants will have the opportunity to collect data on crane behavior from a family of cranes.  You will emerge from this experience ready to make your own observations, understanding when a crane is performing behaviors essential to their well-being, and knowledge of how to safely view cranes without disturbing them. This interactive activity is limited to 20 people (first come first served). Participation in the interactive program is not required to attend the presentation portion of this event.

Join ICF’s crane behavior workshop for families, where Anne Lacy and other staff from the International Crane Foundation lead an engaging exploration of crane biology and conservation

Once you see your first crane, watching their behavior raises many questions. These might range from how they interact with each other and with other species, to why and when they are territorial, to how they respond to changes in their environment. Cranes are ideal subjects for behavior studies because of their large size and their social nature within a bonded pair, family group, and subadult cohorts. While scientific studies often customize the various categories, one can begin with the basic five: foraging, alert, social, comfort, and locomotion. 

In this workshop, International Crane Foundation staff will begin with an introduction of the behavior terms, crane morphology, and life history stages. Following the presentation, they will lead an interactive activity where participants will have the opportunity to collect data on crane behavior from a family of cranes.  You will emerge from this experience ready to make your own observations, understanding when a crane is performing behaviors essential to their well-being, and knowledge of how to safely view cranes without disturbing them. This interactive activity is limited to 20 people (first come first served). Participation in the interactive program is not required to attend the presentation portion of this event.

Art Demonstration: Art in Nature Conservation with Timothy Joe

Presented at the 2026 Festival of Cranes

Join artist and instructor Timothy Joe for an engaging soft pastels demonstration inspired by the natural beauty of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Known for his expressive landscapes and dedication to capturing the Southern environment, Timothy will guide attendees through his process—from storytelling, value, composition and color selection to layering techniques that bring light and texture to life.

This demonstration is ideal for artists, nature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about the pastel medium. Witness the transformation of a blank surface into a vivid, atmospheric scene celebrating the cranes and wetland landscapes that make this refuge so extraordinary.

Duration: Approximately 60–90 minutes

All levels welcome. Observation only; no supplies required

A leader in Alabama birding and ecotourism, Christopher offers insights into connecting people with nature through guided birding and nature tours in Alabama’s Black Belt. https://www.connectingwithbirdsandnaturetours.com/

“Paper Plate Birds” and "Thumb Print Cranes" – Make & Take Art Activities with ACA Art Faculty

Come and make some colorful feathered friends with the ACA Art Instructors. Let your imaginations take flight with paper plates and colors!

Did you know that cranes can dance? They are also incredibly fierce protectors as well! Families are welcome to join us for a morning of learning all about crane dancing and fighting. Participants will get to practice their crane dance moves and learn all about the tough nature of these fancy-footed birds. This interactive program is geared toward families with elementary and middle school aged children and has limited space.

Alabama Center for the Arts - Performing Arts Building - Recital Hall

 BATTY ABOUT BATS presented by Vicky Beckham Smith of A-Z ANIMALS consists of a power point presentation that covers myths about bats, their adaptations, their feeding strategies along with the eco-services they provide to us, the various food they eat, prey and predator relationships, and various places they live and roost.  It also covers the difference between micro and mega bats. There are various mounted bats, life size silhouettes as well as live bats that will be used during the presentation. Vicky holds USDA, USFWS and state permits that allow her to house and use the bats for educational purposes.

Alabama Center for the Arts - Performing Arts Building - Recital Hall

Cave Life of Wheeler NWR: An Underappreciated and Unique Biodiversity

Dr. Niemiller is the head of the Cave Bio Lab at UAH, which employs field, laboratory, and computational approaches to study the ecology, evolution, and conservation of life in caves and other subterranean habitats. Current research includes population surveys and status assessments of state and federally-listed cave and groundwater species throughout the United States and Alaska, developing environmental DNA approaches for population monitoring and community studies of groundwater life, and genetic and genomic studies of cave and groundwater fauna, among others.

Alabama Center for the Arts - Visual Arts Building - Room 118

 "Enhancing Reintroduction Efforts in Southern Ground Hornbills Through Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge”  

Alabama Center for the Arts - Performing Arts Building - Recital Hall

DIVING UNDER ANTARCTIC ICE

Through his spectacular images, Dr. McClintock takes you SCUBA diving in sub-freezing waters and introduces you to the bountiful sea life in the most fascinating and challenging seas in the world.

Hidden Heroes: The Role of Citizen Scientists in Studies of Avian Reproduction

Robyn will discuss how ordinary people around the world contribute important bird observations to long-term databases. These contributions help scientists understand how environmental changes affect bird populations. Specifically focusing on North America's nesting birds over the past six decades, Robyn will highlight the pivotal role of citizen scientists in this research. She also offers practical tips on how everyone can make a difference in supporting bird conservation in their daily lives.

Alabama Center for the Arts - Performing Arts Building - Recital Hall

Auburn’s Dinosaur Egg: A Short and Long Tale

About 83 million years ago, an almost completely developed dinosaur died. Still encased in its egg, it somehow got washed out to sea, sank, and was buried. In 1970, Prescott Atkinson, then 17 years old, was looking for fossils west of Selma when he found the egg sitting on a pedestal of clay. In the over 50 years since then, the egg has traveled around Alabama and to France to unlock its mysteries. It is one of the rarest things in the world as it is the only ornithomimid egg; it is shaped more like a duck egg, while most dinosaur eggs are elongated. It is heavily textured, and it is among the thickest eggs ever found despite also being one of the smallest dinosaur eggs. As the eastern US’s only intact dinosaur egg, it unlocks just a bit of what is a very poorly known time in our area. The short life and the long history of the egg will be discussed.

Alabama Center for the Arts - Visual Arts Building - Room 113

Southern Exposure Films will be shown hourly from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Alabama Center for the Arts - Visual Arts Building - Room 118

Cave Life of Wheeler NWR: An Underappreciated and Unique Biodiversity

Dr. Niemiller is the head of the Cave Bio Lab at UAH, which employs field, laboratory, and computational approaches to study the ecology, evolution, and conservation of life in caves and other subterranean habitats. Current research includes population surveys and status assessments of state and federally-listed cave and groundwater species throughout the United States and Alaska, developing environmental DNA approaches for population monitoring and community studies of groundwater life, and genetic and genomic studies of cave and groundwater fauna, among others.

 “Birds Tell Their Own Stories: Connecting the Public to Bird Conservation Challenges”

Alabama Center for the Arts - Visual Arts Building - Room 118

DRUG DISCOVERY IN ANTARCTIC SEAS

Explore the exciting field of marine natural product drug discovery and efforts to find new chemicals to cure a variety of human diseases from Antarctic marine animals.

Storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays Audubon in a dynamic performance that engages listeners in scientific inquiry and natural history, art appreciation, and ornithology. Come spend an hour in the studio of one of America’s greatest naturalists and wildlife artists. Listen to tales of his adventures in the wilds of America!

Alabama Center for the Arts - Visual Arts Building - Room 113

Alabama Center for the Arts - Visual Arts Building - Room 118

Fish Under Alabama: How Fish Came to Live in Caves

Some of the most inhospitable environments are caves. With no light, any cave organism relies on food that comes from the outside. Despite these conditions, fish have moved into caves many times all over the world. For a long time, we believed that cave organisms had to have small distributions because their lack of eyes and pigments would mean that they would not be able to survive outside of their dark environments. However, one of Alabama’s two cavefishes, the Southern Cavefish, is distributed across Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. Turns out that the underground world is a lot more complex than we had thought.

Alabama Center for the Arts - Performing Arts Building - Recital Hall

Hidden Heroes: The Role of Citizen Scientists in Studies of Avian Reproduction

Robyn will discuss how ordinary people around the world contribute important bird observations to long-term databases. These contributions help scientists understand how environmental changes affect bird populations. Specifically focusing on North America's nesting birds over the past six decades, Robyn will highlight the pivotal role of citizen scientists in this research. She also offers practical tips on how everyone can make a difference in supporting bird conservation in their daily lives.