Olympic Birdfest

Friday, April 17, 2026 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Location: Dungeness River Nature Center – Rainshadow Hall
Price: $20
Presenters: Melonie Ramsey and Katja Bridwell

Our properties, large or small, provide critical habitat for birds, many of which stay all year round. Others migrate through our area and have short-term needs for food, shelter, water, and sometimes nesting areas. Katja Bridwell and Mel Ramsey will provide information on what our birds need through every season of the year and how your property can make a difference for bird survival. As individuals there is much we can do to counteract harm to bird populations and keep our community safe and productive for birds to thrive.

Melonie Ramsey fell in love with birding in 2009 upon first meeting avid birder Bret, now her husband. Before relocating to Sequim in 2020, the Olympic Peninsula had always been the Ramsey’s “go to” place for birding vacations with their dogs. Since moving to Sequim, Melonie and Bret have transformed their front lawn into a flourishing display of native plants—enjoyed by neighbors and recognized by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Melonie shares her gardening expertise and passion for teaching as a volunteer Habitat Steward with NWF. Melonie currently serves as OPAS Co-Vice President.

Katja Bridwell has been an environmental scientist for 50 years working with state and federal agencies, the military, and private consulting. She has been involved in numerous environmental initiatives throughout the PNW region, most recently with the Olympic Peninsula Wildlife Habitat Project (through OPAS) in conjunction with the National Wildlife Federation. Katja is a co-vice president of OPAS. For the past five years, she has been working to create wildlife habitat on her 10 acres.