2019 Festival Schedule


Roger Tory Peterson's Wild America Nature Festival will take place on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 at Panama Rocks Scenic Park in Chautauqua County. The festival features nationally-renowned speakers; wild animals; a juried fine nature art and craft show and competition; a local food cook-off competition and farmer's market; music; and classes, workshops, and activities. 

You can enjoy the art, food, and various activities all day. The times of scheduled speakers, musical performances, and workshops are listed below.

SATURDAY, JULY 27
Festival Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Main Stage (Park Green)
  •  Davis and Eng (10:00am - 11:30pm): Original songs and traditional folk music.
  • Meet Live Animals with Jeff Musial (12:00pm - 1:00pm): Meet live wild animals with nationally renowned animal expert and handler Jeff Musial! (In Recreation Hall if Poor Weather)
  • Wild Spirit Education (1:15pm - 2:15pm): Meet live wild animals with wildlife educators from Wild Spirit Education! (In Festival Tent if Poor Weather)
  • Flight Demonstrations with Sky Hunters Falconry (2:30pm - 3:30pm): Meet live birds of prey, see flight demonstrations, and learn about the ancient art of falconry with Sky Hunters.
  • Steel Rails (3:45pm - 5:00pm): Original songs and traditional folk music.
  • Announcement of the Winners of the Roger Tory Peterson Nature Art and Craft Competition!

Recreation Hall (Indoors)
  • Hope is a Thing With Little Clear Wings (11:00am - 12:00pm): North America is also home to approximately 4,000 species of native bees. Internationally renowned photographer Clay Bolt uses photography to create more awareness about these irreplaceable pollinators; his efforts led to the rusty-patched bumble bee becoming the first species of native North American bee to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. During this engaging presentation, Clay will share some his favorite images and stories about our beautiful native bees and what we can all do to protect them. You’ll never look at bees the same way again!
  • The Wild Backyard (1:00pm - 2:00pm): Dr. Twan Leenders of RTPI will highlight the surprising natural things found in our neighborhoods (you can meet some cool animals, too)!
  • Snakes, Salamanders, and Turtles (2:00pm-3:00pm​): Join nationally renowned painter Matt Patterson in a presentation of his past and present projects on art and conservation, including his recent trip to Madagascar to help with turtle conservation.
  • The Life of Roger Tory Peterson (3:00pm - 4:00pm): Roger Tory Peterson's youngest son, Lee Peterson, will present on the life and legacy of the famous naturalist.

Festival Tent 
  • Yoga with Jen Raines (10:30am - 11:30am): Move, breathe, and be connected to nature and the world around us. Learn to use your breath and body to journey inward and quite the mind.
  • Seneca Thanksgiving with Stephen Gordon (11:45am - 12:45pm): The translated Seneca Thanksgiving Address is intended to open the mind and remind all human beings of their relationship with Mother Earth. It also reminds everyone that we all have a responsibility for caring and preserving nature so that the next Seven Generations can enjoy what we have during our lifetime. 
  • Felting Demonstration (1:00pm-2:00pm): Join artist Debbie Penley for a demonstration on felting and learn how to make amazing felted animals from scratch!
  • Edible Plant Talk with Lee Peterson (4:00pm - 5:00pm): Lee Peterson, author of the Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants, will teach guests how to identify and use edible wild plants. $5 suggested donation

Park Grounds​
  • Flight Demonstrations with Sky Hunters Falconry (10:00am - 11:30am): Meet live birds of prey, see flight demonstrations, and learn about the ancient art of falconry with Sky Hunters
  • Wild Edible Walk (11:00am - 12:00pm): Join local edible plant expert Sarah Sorci of Sweet Flag Herbs for a walk around Panama Rocks to identify local wild edibles! $5 suggested donation
  • Fungi Walk (2:30pm-3:30pm):  Join mycologist Garrett Taylor on a walk and have fun identifying fungi! $5 suggested donation​
Audubon Community Nature Center (Off-Site Partner Event)
  • ​Wild 5K (9:00am - 11:00am): This trail race takes you through Audubon Community Nature Center’s grounds including forests, fields, and around pond edges. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Sanctuary while helping to raise funds for the preservation and restoration of Audubon’s unique habitats. Stay after your run/walk to visit with Liberty, the Bald Eagle and tour the exhibits throughout the Nature Center. Additional Fee - Learn more at: http://auduboncnc.org/wild5k/​
​
​In order to protect the wild animals that will be at the Wild America Nature Festival and due to the cliffs in the Panama Rocks scenic area, pets are not allowed at the event. Thank you for understanding.

​
 SUNDAY, JULY 28
Festival Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Main Stage (Park Green)
  •  Davis and Eng (10:00am - 11:30pm): Original songs and traditional folk music.
  • Meet Live Animals with Jeff Musial (12:00pm - 1:00pm): Meet live wild animals with nationally renowned animal expert and handler Jeff Musial! (In Recreation Hall if Poor Weather)
  • Wild Spirit Education (1:15pm - 2:15pm): Meet live wild animals with wildlife educators from Wild Spirit Education! (In Festival Tent if Poor Weather)
  • Flight Demonstrations with Sky Hunters Falconry (2:30pm - 3:30pm): Meet live birds of prey, see flight demonstrations, and learn about the ancient art of falconry with Sky Hunters.
  • Steel Rails (3:45pm - 5:00pm): Original songs and traditional folk music.
  • Announcement of the Winners of the Roger Tory Peterson Nature Art and Craft Competition!

Recreation Hall (Indoors)
  • Hope is a Thing With Little Clear Wings (11:00am - 12:00pm): North America is also home to approximately 4,000 species of native bees. Internationally renowned photographer Clay Bolt uses photography to create more awareness about these irreplaceable pollinators; his efforts led to the rusty-patched bumble bee becoming the first species of native North American bee to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. During this engaging presentation, Clay will share some his favorite images and stories about our beautiful native bees and what we can all do to protect them. You’ll never look at bees the same way again!
  • The Wild Backyard (1:00pm - 2:00pm): Dr. Twan Leenders of RTPI will highlight the surprising natural things found in our neighborhoods (you can meet some cool animals, too)!
  • Snakes, Salamanders, and Turtles (2:00pm-3:00pm​): Join nationally renowned painter Matt Patterson in a presentation of his past and present projects on art and conservation, including his recent trip to Madagascar to help with turtle conservation.
  • The Life of Roger Tory Peterson (3:00pm - 4:00pm): Roger Tory Peterson's youngest son, Lee Peterson, will present on the life and legacy of the famous naturalist.

Festival Tent ​
  • Rainbow Meditation with Stephen Gordon (11:00am - 12:45pm): developed in the 1970s by A. Paul Ortega, Mescalaro Apache, Medicine Man, and David Powless, Wisconsin Oneida, this incredibly moving meditation will help participants to let go of the negativity in their personal life.
  • Felting Demonstration (1:00pm-2:00pm): Join artist Debbie Penley for a demonstration on felting and learn how to make amazing felted animals from scratch!
  • Yoga with Dariel Woltz (3:00pm - 4:00pm): Move, breathe, and be connected to nature and the world around us. Learn to use your breath and body to journey inward and quite the mind.
  • Edible Plant Talk with Lee Peterson (4:00pm - 5:00pm): Lee Peterson, author of the Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants, will teach guests how to identify and use edible wild plants. $5 suggested donation
​
Park Grounds​
  • Flight Demonstrations with Sky Hunters Falconry (10:00am - 11:30am): Meet live birds of prey, see flight demonstrations, and learn about the ancient art of falconry with Sky Hunters
  • Fungi Walk (2:30pm-3:30pm):  Join Fungus Goddess & wilderness guide Quincey Widger on a walk and have fun identifying fungi! $5 suggested donation​​
​
​In order to protect the wild animals that will be at the Wild America Nature Festival and due to the cliffs in the Panama Rocks scenic area, pets are not allowed at the event. Thank you for understanding.