Celebrating 26 YEARS of LOCAL wildlife education and rehabilitation. You play a vital role in Wildbird Recovery’s mission and your support will ensure our fundraiser is a successful one. Please help by supporting Wildbird Recovery’s biggest fundraising event of the year!
Wildbird Recovery’s 15th Annual Fall Migration Festival will be held at Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy (120 Forsythe Road, Valencia, PA 16059) on Sunday, September 20, 2026 from noon to 4 PM. The Fall Migration Festival Fundraiser is our annual fundraiser where our supporters of ALL AGES spend time outdoors, enjoy delicious food, and learn about different aspects of our local wildlife. Guests can learn about butterflies from our keynote speaker, Kimberly Vensel. We will also have educational booths about bats, native plants, and more! We welcome you to experience our unique fundraising event.
Tickets for the event are able to be purchased (in-person) the day of the event. There is the option to purchase admission tickets in advance under the section “admission tickets” below until Friday, September 18, 2026.
Wildbird Recovery is a 501(c)(3) organization so your charitable donation is tax deductible.
If you are not able to make our event and would like to make a donation to our fundraiser, please visit our Ways to Donate website page. Thank you for wanting to make a positive impact! Your presence will be greatly missed.
Continue to check back for updates! Most recent update made on September 5, 2026.
Visit our Supporting Our Work website page for a listing of individuals and businesses helped to make our 2025 event possible.
There is an important navigation update when leaving our event. If you plan to make a Left turn onto State Route 228 W to connect with Route 8, please plan to make a Left out of our driveway to connect with Harbison Road. If you make a Right out of our driveway to connect to Davis Road, PennDot has put up NO LEFT TURN signage from Davis Road to State Route 228 W.
Where to park? Please plan to use our second driveway located across from 119 Forsythe Road, Valencia, PA 16059 to enter the event. This driveway will take you to our field for parking. There will be volunteers to assist with parking. Handicap and accessibility parking is available. If needed, please let our volunteers know and they will direct you on where to park.
What to wear? This event takes place on a mowed lawn surface. Please dress based on the weather forecast for the day. It is helpful for children to wear closed-toed shoes for exploring Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy. Also, there is a 40×60 (white) tent for the keynote speaker presentation, basket raffle, silent auction, and light refreshments.
Methods of payment? Cash, check, credit card, and Venmo are all forms of payment accepted at the event. Cash and check do not have fees associated with payment. Also, please be mindful of the slight wait time for payments processed by credit card or Venmo. We will do our best to quickly get you checked-in to the event!
Tentative Festival Schedule
You are encouraged to stop by any time over the course of the Fall Migration Festival event!
12:00 PM – Check-in, Visit Vendors, Light Refreshments, Silent Auction and Basket Raffle are open, Tour property (self-guided throughout the event with educators near the enclosure areas)
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM – Visit with an Animal Ambassador (Merlin) near the Medicine Wheel
12:45 PM – Wildbird Recovery Special Update on Conservation in the white tent
1:00 PM – Keynote Presentation (The food table will be closed during the presentation.)
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM – Visit with an Animal Ambassador (Barn Owl) at the Stormy Oaks Gift Shop Tent
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Meet in Greet with our founder and licensed wildlife rehabilitator
3:00 PM – Last bids on Silent Auction and tickets for the Basket Raffle, Visit with an Animal Ambassador (Peregrine Falcon) in the white tent
3:15 PM – Silent Auction and Basket Raffle winners will be announced (The winner does not need to be present to win.)
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM – Cash Out for Silent Auction and visit with an Animal Ambassador (Red-tailed Hawk) near the woodshed
4:00 PM – Mindful gratitude before leaving Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy
Please note that Face Painting with Patty Ewing will take place from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Education Ambassadors (birds) will be out visiting throughout the event. Please be respectful of our education ambassadors who will be mingling for the duration of the event!
The StoryWalk brought to you by the Mars Area Public Library and Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy will be available starting at 1:00 PM. The start of the StoryWalk is by the woodshed (where you check-in for the event after parking). Also, your children are encouraged to explore our replica Bald Eagle nest in our Octagon play area (near the barn).
Be sure to tag us in your photo taken by our mural! The mural is on the exterior wall of our classroom. Samantha Ridgeway is a senior art educator at Carlow University and she graciously shared her skills to add a special touch to our classroom in 2023.
Admission Tickets
Email Melissa at mbrown@wildbirdrecovery.org with any questions on purchasing tickets for the 15th Annual Fall Migration Festival event. The tickets are non-refundable – this event will be held rain or shine. Children 4 and under do not require a ticket to attend the event. Tickets will need to be purchased for participants age 5 years and older.
September 18, 2026 will be the last day to purchase tickets in advance. Admission tickets must be purchased in-person the day of the event (September 20, 2026). We look forward to seeing you there!
The link to purchase tickets in ADVANCE will be available now through September 18, 2026.
Limited Edition Festival Shirt
Wildbird Recovery, Inc. is thrilled to share with you the 2026 Fall Migration Festival T-shirt! This limited edition T-shirt was designed and illustrated by local artist, Shawn Huesdash, of Studio Ghost Cat. We encourage you to learn more about Shawn’s life altering story! “May this light and story inspire you to take another step in your life.” – Shawn Huesdash
There is no state funding for Pennsylvania licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers. The funds raised during the Fall Migration Festival help Wildbird Recovery to further our wild bird rehabilitation, education, and conservation efforts in western Pennsylvania.
The T-shirts are available for pre-order now through September 11, 2026. There are adult and youth sizes available. Your order will ship to you or be available at the check-in table for pick up on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at our Fall Migration Festival Fundraiser event for anyone choosing to pick up in-person.
Thank you for your kindness and support of Wildbird Recovery!
Link to order now through September 11, 2026: https://ink-division.shop/wildbird
There is no guarantee that a 2026 Fall Migration Festival T-shirt will be available for purchase at the event.
Note: The Wildbird Recovery Military Green T-shirt in the Ink Division shop was designed and illustrated by local artist, Lorren Kezmoh. This design was included in the shop as an opportunity for individuals who missed purchasing the 2025 limited edition shirt. Life is so busy for all of us!
Sponsors, Vendors, and Donations
A non-profit organization that relies solely on donations, Wildbird Recovery is the only wildlife rehabilitation center in Butler County, Pennsylvania. We help hundreds of injured Songbirds, Swifts, Swallows, and Birds of Prey every year from all over Western Pennsylvania, with treatments costing an average of $50 to $150 depending on the species, medical needs, and length of care for each bird that is admitted. Your generous donation will allow us to provide continued assistance to the patients in our care.
To make it happen, we need your help! Wildbird Recovery needs event sponsors, business gift certificates, and/or raffle basket donations. Every donation makes a direct impact on our efforts to provide wildlife rehabilitation services and educational programming.
We value your partnership, and to show our appreciation, individuals and businesses will be listed in our newsletter, on our website WILDBIRDRECOVERY.org for one year, on our Facebook page, and recognition on event day signage.
To support Wildbird Recovery’s – Fall Migration Festival Fundraiser, please complete the Wildbird Recovery’s – Fall Migration Festival Fundraiser Google Form. If you missed the deadline (September 1, 2026) for sponsorships, vendors, and donations, please email asap. We cannot guarantee that we can meet the deadline to be included in signage the day of the festival. Please be sure to check your spam email folder to avoid any missed communications. Email hello@wildbirdrecovery.org with any questions or even additional ways to support us throughout the year!
We are incredibly grateful for choosing to support us. Our supporters play a vital role in our ability to continue our mission. Thank you so very much!
Keynote speaker
KIMBERLY VENSEL
Kimberly Vensel, aka Butler Butterfly Lady, is a nature photographer who also happens to have a passion for butterflies. She has been raising butterflies for 17 years and has successfully raised and released over 3,000 Monarch butterflies to date along with many other species of butterflies and moths. She has taught thousands of folks about the importance of butterflies and other pollinators through her educational presentations.
Her presentation is titled Gardening for Butterflies.
Educational booths and Vendors
Learn about Bats
Join Terry Lobdell to learn all about bats! Come and learn all about the bats of Pennsylvania and how to build and mount successful bat houses on your property. He will talk about his participation in Citizen Science with the PA Game Commission, touch base on white nose syndrome and its affect on our bats and the difference between little browns and big browns. They are as different as white tail deer are to elk! Be sure to ask Terry Lobdell about his special guest that his been visiting his back yard.
LEARN ABOUT BEES
Join Claire Catt who has more than a decade of experience taking care of bee hives. She will be sharing her knowledge of bees and native plants with us. Be sure to stop by her educational booth to get your honey and chat with her!
Bird lab
Nick Liadis of Bird Lab will be joining us at the Fall Migration Festival. We are excited to add his expertise!
Darner & Daisies
Darner and Daisies’ founder and CEO, Megan, is an avid and passionate gardener who sought to preserve her flowers throughout the year, especially during Pittsburgh, PA’s colorless winter months. Check out Darner and Daisies nature-themed gifts for sale at our Fall Migration Festival this year! Check out Darner and Daisies on social media.
Donna Caroline Contemporary Mosaic and Glass Art
Donna Caroline Lesondak is a Contemporary Mosaic Artist primarily working in Stained Glass Mosaic, but also in Smalti and other materials. Fused Glass is another art form she enjoys. Her favorite subjects are nature, birds and animals. Check out Donna Caroline Contemporary Mosaic and Glass Art items for sale at our Fall Migration Festival this year! Check out her artwork on social media.
Erin Ninehouser photography
“I’m here to show you what’s special about yourself, your relationships, and your community.” – Erin Ninehouser
We are thrilled to welcome back Erin Ninehouser to our Fall Migration Festival. Thank you for sharing your gift of photography with all of us!
Please take the time to read this beautiful blog written by Erin Ninehouser – https://erinninehouser.com/blog/the-old-name-can-end-the-calling-does-not
Face Painting
We are excited to share that Mrs. Ewing will be sharing her artistic skills to bring your child(ren) face painting at our Fall Migration Festival. It’s a great way to connect and show off their designs and see the creative faces that others have come up with!
Frog in the grog
Frog in the Grog ceramics by Laura Beck is inspired by the whimsical magic of nature and fairytales. Her pieces celebrate the little wonders she finds around her; especially frogs, snails, mushrooms, lily pads, and woodland creatures.
Laura’s frog and koi pond and butterfly gardens are a constant source of inspiration, sparking ideas for playful, nature-filled pottery that brings a little bit of the garden into every piece. Frog in the Grog is where nature, imagination, and a little fairytale magic come together! Be sure to visit her booth at the Fall Migration Festival!
Gettin’ Grounded
Tracy Arth and her husband cater to the spiritual, whimsy, magical crowd. Gettin’ Grounded is best known for their polymer clay mushroom spirits. They have propagation stations, suncatchers, a variety of bracelets, witches bells, and simmer pots. Be sure to stop by their booth at the Fall Migration Festival!
Honeybee bubble tea
Back by popular demand! We met Justin of Honeybee Bubble Tea at our inaugural Rooted in Nature Festival in August 2026. We have had a big push from the community to have them at our Fall Migration Festival event. We are excited to welcome back Honeybee Bubble Tea!
Honeybird hearth sourdough
Honeybird Hearth Sourdough is a licensed home micro-bakery based in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania, operated by Abby Moran. There will be plenty of handheld grab-and-go items that people could enjoy while wandering the Rooted in Nature Festival. Cookies, sweet and savory scones, brownies, bagels, snack mixes, other individually packaged baked treats.
Journey With Hope
Hope Shick is a Reiki and Stone Medicine Practitioner as well as a Tarot Reader. It’s her mission to walk along side you on your healing journey and assist you in the ways that she can, through the highest form of healing energy: Unconditional Love from Source. Be sure to check out the variety of crystals at the Fall Migration Festival!
Mountain Moon Gems
Mountain Moon Gems is a small, family-owned crystal vendor founded in 2026 in Freeport, PA.
Born from a love for peak summits and lunar glows, Mountain Moon Gems provides curated stones and cosmic artifacts intended to spark joy in your daily routine.
From finding a thoughtful present to expanding your personal altar or wandering through our shelves, they are honored to walk this path with you while providing nature’s finest minerals to your home. Be sure to check out their website here – https://www.mountainmoongems.com
Pennsylvania game commission
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the state agency responsible for wildlife conservation and management in Pennsylvania in the United States. We are excited to have a State Game Warden (SGW) with the Pennsylvania Game Commission at our Fall Migration Festival. Be sure to check out their educational booth!
Three Sisters Permaculture
Three Sisters Permaculture provides permaculture design consultation and educational programs for individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities. You have landed in just the right place to learn about how Three Sisters Permaculture can work with you to design a more sustainable business or home.
Don’t miss chatting with Tamara O’Brien to learn about how you can help pollinators survive and thrive.
Robin’s Nest Healing & Apothecary
Robin’s Nest Healing & Apothecary is a local store in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. Be sure to visit and learn more about the herbal remedies, tinctures, soaps, clothing, and jewelry offered!
Silly Goose Jewelry
Haley Morris is the owner of Silly Goose Jewelry – handcrafted hypoallergenic earrings using certified ethically and sustainably sourced metals with nature themes. She curates her items with a focus on local business and small business sourcing (i.e. CuteCharmsCo in Butler) as well as recycled contents. Be sure to stop by her booth at the Fall Migration Festival.
Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy Gift SHop
Donations through our gifting center go directly to the care of the wildlife patients and non-releasable educational ambassadors in Wildbird Recovery, Inc.’s licensed care. There are many items in the gift shop that range from handmade to vintage that will make great gifts for family and friends. We carry the beautiful Jabebo earrings that are made from cereal box paperboard! There will be native plants available for purchase. Be sure to check out our gift shop at our Fall Migration Festival to help us save the lives of wild birds.
Studio Ghost Cat
Studio Ghost Cat is the creative brand of Shawn Huesdash, an acrylic painter based in the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania. He creates vibrant, healing-focused artwork blending realism and abstraction, offering original pieces and merchandise through his website. Be sure to check out his artwork at the Fall Migration Festival!
The BirdWatchers store
The Birdwatchers Store is a favorite destination of wild bird enthusiasts of all ages. They carry feeders, seed, houses, poles, gifts, and more! Items for feathered friends and yourself will be available for sale at our Fall Migration Festival! Be sure to check out their website here – https://thebirdwatchersstore.com
Wildlife in need pa
Wildlife in Need Emergency Response of PA (WIN) is a volunteer, non-profit, statewide network for capturing and delivering injured, and orphaned wildlife within the state of Pennsylvania. WIN can assist in arranging for a transport relay to deliver the animal if a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center is located a long distance away. The care of wildlife will be by the licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers.