Viera Nature Festival To Highlight ‘Art of the Wetlands’
By Raleigh Berry, Brevard County // March 3, 2015
festival set for Saturday, april 11
ABOVE VIDEO: This video shows the history and purpose of the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, also known as Viera Wetlands, which has become a favorite birding and wildlife attraction in Brevard County.
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – The theme “Art of the Wetlands” has been selected as the theme for this year’s 6th Annual Viera Wetlands Nature Festival, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera, located at 3685 Charlie Corbeil Way.
In addition to art displays, exhibits will feature local wildlife, native plants and butterflies. The festival is free to the public.
Scheduled activities include guided walking and van tours of the wetlands, tours of the adjacent water treatment facility, and introductory workshops in both wildlife photography and birding.
Recognition awards will be presented to the Viera Voice, the Titusville Art League and the Brevard Lions Club for their past support of the wetlands and its activities.
The event’s walking and van tours will be led by volunteer Wetland Rangers, who will share their knowledge and experience of the wetlands and its inhabitants.
An introductory birding workshop will be led by Tom Dunkerton of Nikon Optics, and a photography workshop will be led by award-winning photographer Nancy Ellwood, of NaturesPortal.net
Additional nature-themed activities will be scheduled for younger visitors.
More than a dozen related exhibitors will be present, and food vendors will also be available.
Artists and photographers have provided donations for a silent auction to help raise funds to benefit the wetlands.
Additional information about the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera is available at the Natural Resources Management Department’s wetlands website, Grissomwetlands.org
ABOVE MAP: “Art of the Wetlands” has been selected as the theme for this year’s 6th Annual Viera Wetlands Nature Festival, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera, 3685 Charlie Corbeil Way, Viera.
