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About Southwest Wings

Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival is Arizona's oldest birding festival. We began offering trips in 1991. This is the premiere nature festival in Arizona, consistently voted one of the top 5 birding and nature festivals in the country.

 

Southwest Wings Spring Fling is held in May each year and offers guided trips to the many nearby birding hotspots in southeast Arizona. The Summer festival is held in August is our big event with free programs, wildlife exhibits, vendors, guided trips and a keynote buffet.

 

Southwest Wings is an educational celebration of the diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects, in their environment; the sky islands in southern Arizona. The unique confluence of three climate zones ensures that the species count is high and many are only found in this area of the United States. We average about 200 bird species each festival. Our high elevation location guarantees moderate temperatures during our field trips. We offer small group trips limited to a maximum of ten people plus a guide. Our roster of guides include many professional bird guides from the area who know the birds and where to find them. 

Southwest Wings Birding Festival is a nonprofit educational organization, chartered as a 501(c)(3) under IRS guidelines. There are no members, only a board of directors, and therefore no membership dues to provide income. The two festivals are the major events put on by the group. Additional tax deductible donations to support the organization's goals are always welcome. The Southwest Wings mission is to promote nature-based tourism and environmental awareness in southeastern Arizona. Here are some of the projects we have funded.


Below is a list of some of our past supportive and educational gifting:

  • Northern Jaguar Project

  • Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary (Mary Jo Ballator's)

  • $1,000 College Scholarship to local students interested in Natural Science.

  • Trail grooming equipment for the BLM maintenance of birding trails along the San Pedro River.

  • Fishing line recycle containers at Parker Lake State Park

  • Signage at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonita.

  • The Nature Conservancy Ramsey Canyon Kids Camp

  • Supported Student Hydroponics projects at Sierra Vista, Douglas and Wilcox

  • Supported Master Naturalist Program for Cochise County.

  • Carr House Video System

  • San Pedro House Bird Food Fund

  • Whitewater Draw Water Pumping 

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