Celebrate Birds & Climate Action at the Browns Creek Community Event & Bird Festival 2025

Calling all nature lovers, birdwatchers, families, and curious minds! You’re invited to the Browns Creek Community Event & Bird Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Browns Creek Park (8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082) for a fun and educational morning celebrating the incredible world of birds and the vital role they play in our shared ecosystems.

Hosted by the Browns Creek Watershed District in partnership with Bird City Stillwater, a project of Sustainable Stillwater MN, this free public event marks World Migratory Bird Day 2025, themed “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.”

Why Celebrate Birds?

Birds are not only beautiful and inspiring—they’re essential indicators of environmental health. As the climate changes and habitats shrink, many bird species face mounting challenges. But there’s good news: by making our communities more bird-friendly, we also make them healthier for people.

That’s why Sustainable Stillwater MN's Bird City Stillwater initiative is promoting this event—to raise awareness about how light pollution, habitat fragmentation, and window collisions impact bird populations, and how simple local actions can support climate resilience.

What to Expect at the Festival

This family-friendly gathering will feature live raptor presentations by The Raptor Center, including a thrilling appearance by a Bald Eagle and other majestic birds of prey. Kids and adults alike can enjoy interactive exhibits, educational displays, and hands-on activities from a variety of conservation-minded organizations, including:

• Tropical Wings – Focused on the welfare of migratory birds shared between Minnesota/Wisconsin and Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula

• St. Croix Valley Bird Club – Sharing knowledge and love of birding with the local community

• Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center – Offering nature-based education for all ages

There will also be stations on habitat restoration, bird-safe building design, climate-friendly actions, and youth-focused activities designed to spark wonder and stewardship.

Dress Up and Win Prizes in Our Bird Costume Contest!

New this year: a Bird Costume Contest with categories for both kids and adults! Prizes will be awarded to the top costumes, but everyone who comes dressed as their favorite bird will receive a small prize. It's a great way to celebrate creativity, learn about bird species, and get inspired to take action for wildlife.

A Community Taking Flight Together

“This event is a celebration of the small but powerful ways communities can come together to protect birds and address climate change,” says Allison McGinnis, Bird City Stillwater project leader of Sustainable Stillwater MN. “Whether you're a passionate birder or just love a good eagle sighting, this festival offers something for everyone.”

So pack your binoculars, bring your questions, and get ready to connect with neighbors, nature, and the bigger picture of what it means to share our space with birds.

Event Details at a Glance:

🗓 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Location: Browns Creek Park, 8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater, MN

💲 Cost: Free and open to all ages

🎭 Costume Contest: Come dressed as a bird to win a prize!

For more information, contact Allison McGinnis at allison@sustainablestillwatermn.org

Let’s make Stillwater a haven for birds—and for future generations.