BirdFest Banquet “Birds in the Digital Age: Harnessing Innovation for Conservation” with Rob Blenk
Saturday, April 12, 2025 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Rainshadow Hall
*Doors open at 5:30 PM
Price: $75.00 (casual dress)
Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner, from appetizer to dessert, at Dungeness River Nature Center’s Rainshadow Hall.
Kokopelli Grill will cater the event again this year, providing entree options of Salmon Filet with an ancho light butter or Pasta La Casa in a luscious cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes. Both will be served with generous helpings of accompanying sides.
Please register for this event by choosing either the salmon option or vegetarian option.
This event always sells out so register early to save your seat. Limited to 100.
Saturday Night’s Banquet Speaker:
Dr. Rob Blenk, UC Davis
Join us for an enlightening evening with Dr. Rob Blenk, a Sequim High School graduate and former River Center volunteer who has gone on to achieve remarkable success in the field of avian conservation. , Dr. Blenk will share how cutting-edge technologies are transforming the way we study and protect birds in the wild.
Dr. Blenk’s work focuses on the genomics of Brant and Harlequin Ducks—two species with fascinating breeding and wintering patterns across North America. By analyzing the genetics of Harlequin Ducks wintering in Washington, his research reveals where these birds spend their nesting season, whether it’s nearby in the Olympics or as far away as Alaska or the Canadian Rockies. His studies of Brant Ducks similarly connect their nesting sites in western Alaska, the North Slope, and the Canadian Archipelago to their wintering grounds from Alaska to Mexico.
In this presentation, you’ll discover how groundbreaking tools like drones, GPS tracking, thermal imaging, and artificial intelligence are replacing traditional bird-banding methods, allowing researchers to uncover the secrets of migration with unprecedented accuracy. Dr. Blenk will captivate the audience with stunning visuals, informative videos, and accessible insights, perfect for both scientists and bird enthusiasts alike.
Celebrate the accomplishments of a local success story while exploring how innovation is reshaping conservation efforts to protect our feathered friends for generations to come.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leading researcher in the field as he shares stories of discovery and the remarkable tools shaping the future of bird conservation.
Past BirdFest Banquet images at Red Cedar Room:
