Since 2004, the <a href="http://www.tracwv.org/" target="_blank">Three Rivers Avian Center</a> (TRAC) has partnered with <a href="http://www.littlebeaverstatepark.com/" target="_blank">Little Beaver State Park</a> as the home of its annual Migration Celebration, a festival of West Virginia’s birds and of the state’s natural heritage. The 2012 Migration Celebration is scheduled for May 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is open to the public at no charge.

Held each year on International Migratory Bird Day, the Migration Celebration encourages young and old alike to go outdoors and see what lives in their backyards and in their biologically diverse state. The day features live birds of prey on display from TRAC; exhibits from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Diversity Program and the New River Gorge National River; the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Insect Survey; storytelling; bird, bug and nature walks; a free photography workshop; and fun for the whole family.

“Little Beaver State Park is not just for humans,” said Park Supt. Erik Evans. “Animals find refuge and a place to relax, too. Squirrels, deer, foxes, bear, and many other animals call the park home, and so do birds. An osprey has been hunting fish in the lake for several summers, peregrine falcons have been seen flying over, and birders have counted more than 35 other species as well.”

In honor of eight years of working together to conserve West Virginia’s wild birds and educating and involving people in ecosystem stewardship, TRAC recently awarded Little Beaver State Park a certificate of appreciation for hosting the annual Migration Celebration.