Schedule At a Glance
February 19–22, 2026

Day 1
- Fennessey Ranch Bus Tour
- 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Island Birding Bus Tour
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Whooping Crane Boat Tour
- 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Explore Local Waterways
- 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Sunset Wine & Dolphin Cruise
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Welcome Reception
- 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Public Lecture Series with Andrew Orgill and Tess Kelly at UTMSI Patton Center
- 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: This event is FREE, and no reservations will be taken for spots. First come, first seated.

Day 2
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King Ranch Tour
-
6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Whooping Crane Boat Tour
-
7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
-
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
-
12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
-
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Explore Lamar Peninsula with Mikael Behrens
-
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
-
-
Hop Aboard The R/V Katy for a Scientific Experience
-
8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
-
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
-
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
-
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Photography Workshop with Ruth Hoyt
-
8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Speaker: Dr. Richard Beilfuss, International Crane Foundation
-
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
-
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San Jose Island Beachcombing Excursion
-
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
-
-
Photographing Birds in Action Workshop with Kathy Adams Clark
-
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Wetlands Education Center Tour & Amos Rehabilitation Keep Presentation
-
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
-
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
-
- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
-
Speaker: Irvin Louque and Brittney Palode, International Crane Foundation
-
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
-
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Island Birding Bus Tour
-
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
-
-
Explore Local Waterways
-
12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
-
-
Dances with Cranes Film Screening and Panel Discussion
- 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- This event is FREE!
-
Wine, Whine, & Design
-
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
-
-
Birds in Flight Photography Fieldtrip with Kathy Adams Clark
-
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
-
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Speaker: Jace Tunnell, Harte Research Institute
-
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
-
- Photography Lessons on the Water
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
-
Sunset Wine & Dolphin Cruise
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Speaker: Michael Forsberg, Conservation Photographer
- 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Day 3
- King Ranch Tour
- 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fennessey Ranch Bus Tour
- 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
-
Sunrise Beach Cleanup with the Dallas Zoo
-
7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
-
- Whooping Crane Boat Tour
- 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Explore Lamar Peninsula with Mikael Behrens
- 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Hop Aboard The R/V Katy for a Scientific Experience
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Photography Workshop with Ruth Hoyt
- 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Speaker: Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation
-
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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-
Wetlands Education Center Tour & Amos Rehabilitation Keep Presentation
- 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Flight & Action at the Jetty Field Trip with Kathy Adams Clark
- 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Island Birding Bus Tour
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Speaker: Sara Zimorski, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Port Aransas Nature Preserve Guided Walking/Birding Tour
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Speaker: Andy Caven, International Crane Foundation
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Candles, Cocktails and Conservation: A Candle-Making Class with Vida Caña Rum
- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Speaker: Dr. Robin Doughty, professor emeritus, The University of Texas at Austin
- 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Photography Lessons on the Water
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Speaker: Alain Salvi, European Crane Working Group
- 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Photographing Backlit Birds workshop and field trip with Jennifer Leigh Warner
- 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Sunset, Wine & Dolphin Cruise
- 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wine, Whine & Design
- 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Day 4
- King Ranch Tour
- 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Port Aransas Nature Preserve Guided Walking/Birding Tour
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Island Birding Bus Tour
- 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Whooping Crane Boat Tour
- 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Discover the Lighthouse Trails with Coastal Bend Kayak Tours
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.