The Wetlands Institute is pleased to announce our 4^th Annual Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival, a weekend packed with conservation-based, hands-on, interactive activities for all ages.

Located on the Cape May Peninsula between the Delaware Bay and Atlantic beaches, The Wetlands Institute is situated in an area considered to host one of the “wonders of the world.” With an act of timing only Mother Nature can provide, Horseshoe Crabs climb onto the beaches of Delaware Bay to lay their eggs, while thousands of shorebirds time a stop on their northbound spring migration route to feed on these energy-packed eggs. Our shores host the largest concentration of spawning horseshoe crabs in their range, and the shorebird migration is one of the last great migrations on Earth. What an amazing front row view of these spectacular wildlife events we have, and it can be seen right here in Cape May.

Come join The Wetlands Institute and the Delaware Bay Shorebird Initiative for a festival that celebrates this amazing spectacle of nature – the shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning season. Guests of all ages can enjoy a variety of conservation-based activities including guided shorebird viewings; horseshoe crab workshops; participating in horseshoe crab spawning surveys and reTURN the Favor walks; aquarium teaching tank and aquaculture tours; naturalist-led Salt Marsh Trail walks; opportunities to view and participate in shorebird tagging with the International Shorebird Research Team, and other hands-on education and conservation-based activities.

Proceeds from the event will help support the Delaware Bay International Shorebird Project and The Wetlands Institute’s conservation and education programs focused on shorebird and horseshoe crab conservation.

Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival Partners

The Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival is a conservation collaboration that currently includes:

• Borough of Stone Harbor
• Celebrate Delaware Bay
• Cape May Bird Observatory
• Township of Middle
• US Fish and Wildlife Service – Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

The Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival is supported in part by a Grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

Click here to find out about our sponsorship opportunities