When is the festival held?

The inaugural Upland Wildlife Festival takes place on Earth Day weekend, April 17 & 18; check the event page for exact daily schedules.

Some programs may be free while others require sign-ups or tickets—review the festival schedule and ticketing details before you arrive.

Is the festival family friendly?

Yes. There’s a Kids Zone with crafts and activities designed for children alongside educational stations for all ages.

Are dogs or pets allowed?

Policy may vary; service animals are typically permitted but check event rules—pets can stress wildlife and are often discouraged near demonstrations.

Is the site accessible?

Accessible routes and seating are generally provided, but demonstration zones and natural terrain can be uneven—plan accordingly and contact organizers for specifics.

Can I buy native plants at the event?

Yes. A native plant sale and tree giveaway are part of the festival programming to encourage habitat-friendly gardening.

Upland Wildlife Festival: Earth Day Celebration of Georgia's Upland Habitats

Upland Wildlife Festival brings a full day of hands-on conservation and family-friendly programming to Albany, Georgia. Held during Earth Day weekend (April 17 & 18), this inaugural festival anchors a growing local movement to celebrate and protect the state's upland habitats. The event unfolds across creekside lawns and demonstration areas with clear, practical programming: live wildlife shows featuring birds of prey and reptile demonstrations, bird-dog working displays, and conservation talks that explain why prescribed fire, native planting, and targeted land management matter to species like the gopher frog and upland birds. Prescribed-fire demos and land-management booths offer a rare chance to see methods used to maintain longleaf pine and mixed pine-oak uplands—ecosystems that define large parts of southern Georgia. For families the festival is designed as an active learning day. A Kids Zone includes crafts, face painting, and bounce houses while educational stations invite hands-on experiences: examine tracking stations, plant a native seedling at the giveaway, or learn about rattlesnake research from regional experts. Local musicians perform on a live stage and artisan vendors offer locally crafted goods; food trucks provide snacks and heartier southern fare between programs. What makes this festival stand out in the region is its combination of field-practical demonstrations and celebratory community programming. Instead of a static lecture, visitors watch live animals handled by professionals, see demonstration burns at work, and talk face-to-face with the land managers and biologists who steward Georgia’s uplands. That balance—celebration mixed with management—makes the festival useful to both casual visitors and landowners, and it highlights conservation successes such as gopher frog recovery projects and upland bird habitat restoration. Plan for a day outdoors: the site includes open sun-exposed areas, shady creekside chats, and demonstration zones that can be dusty or muddy depending on weather. Wear sturdy shoes, bring refillable water, and arrive early for popular programs like the birds-of-prey presentations. Parking and shuttle patterns may vary; check event updates before you go. Whether you’re a parent looking for an educational spring outing, a naturalist tracking local recovery efforts, or someone curious about how prescribed fire and native plants sustain southern wildlife, the Upland Wildlife Festival offers an accessible, locally rooted window into Georgia’s conservation work—one that pairs hands-on learning with community energy in a way few regional events do. Expect a mix of free and ticketed programming across stages and demo areas; check the festival schedule for times and sign-up details. Accessible routes and shaded seating are typically provided, but terrain near burn demonstration plots can be uneven—plan for short walks. Support conservation-minded vendors and consider purchasing native plants to take the habitat lessons home. For families, portable seating or a blanket makes the creekside chats more comfortable during longer talks.