Fundraiser takes flight at AK Wild Bird Rehab Center

The Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation center is gearing up for its first fundraiser since the COVID-19 pandemic with a “Brews and Birds Beerfest” on July 22.

“This fundraiser is designed to continue medical care for the birds,” says Nancy Wade of the Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center in Big Lake.

The “Brews and Birds Beerfest” is an adults-only event that plans to offer a night of food, games, and of course, brews.

“We have 2 breweries that will be on hand, a variety of games, food trucks, and of course, fun,” says Wade.

Other activities include mini golf, an inflatable maze, corn hole, floor pole, and a silent auction. While it sounds like fun for kids, Wade is adamant that this is an event for the grown-ups.

The Beerfest will be held at the Big Lake Lions Club and the $50 admission charge allows for guests to participate in a limited beer tasting. There will also be hard cider and non-alcoholic beverages available. Fork in the Road and Big Pappas will be on hand with food from their food trucks, and stemless wine glasses individually hand painted by the Valley Artists’ Guild will be available for purchase. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own cups to use during the event.

The ongoing Avian flu has impacted the center’s ability to take in injured birds this summer, as well as having live bird presentations and tourist programs, something Wade knows might be disappointing, but is imperative to the health of the birds they already have on site.

“People enjoy seeing the birds, so it’s been hard to not bring them out for people. But we have to keep the birds that reside here safe.”

Wade says that the trend for the Avian flu seems to show that it survives at room temperature, and anticipates a possible uptick of the flu in the fall, especially near the cooler water lakes.

“If an infected bird swims or dives in to the water, or if they do business in the water, that’s all it takes for other birds to come in contact with the virus spreading it,” warns Wade. She says the trend shows that the flu is found primarily in waterfowl and eagles, and from their it can spread to chickens, ducks, and turkeys people raise on their farms and homes.

While the center is not able to offer live bird presentations, they are offering other virtual Zoom presentations and live education programs without the birds that include nests, eggs, feathers, and other factors of bird biology and behaviors. Wade says people can also come up with other ideas for program presentations and the center will work with groups to put it together.

People interested in donating to the Alaska Wild Bird Rehab Center can do so by logging on to their website at akwildbird.org

People interested in attending the “Birds and Brews Beerfest” can purchase tickets online at https://BrewsforBirds.bpt.me

For more information or questions, email at brewsforbirds@gmail.com