You may ask, “Why are there no registration or entry fees?” It’s simple. I don’t think you should have to pay to fall in love. I am passionate about keeping the Flyway Festival fees to a minimum. For the past 15 years, the generous support of our sponsors has ensured this vision. However, each year it’s a little harder to make ends meet. We need your support, the same as many other worthwhile causes. Think of the Flyway Festival as a way to fight global-warming, and water and air pollution. Make it your personal energy-conservation and habitat-protection project. This is something that each of you, individually, can do to really make a difference. I invite you to make a donation to help ensure that the Flyway Festival continues to be -- now and for the future -- free-of-charge.

There are also big financial changes ahead for the festival; another reason why we need your help. The building which has housed the festival for the past 8 years is not usable this year. Though sad to lose our old friend, we are excited about this year’s location close to our new wildlife viewing trail. With your generous gift, we can make the new location feel like home. So, with this invitation to you, we begin on a new and exciting migration of our own. Won’t you join the Friends of the Flyway Festival, now? Your gift is tax-deductible. Bring a check (made out to Mare Island Heritage Trust) or cash to place in the donation barrel, or contribute now by credit card. Visit www.mareislandpreserve.org and click on the DONATE button.

On behalf of our outstanding sponsors, guides and presenters who really go above and beyond, and our exhibitors from fine art to friends of our rivers and refuges, I ask you to join in helping us host this great party for our wild neighbors and migrating visitors. You will have the best time getting to know them all, from those who dive to the murky depths of the bay to those who fly in the highest skies. And, from the smallest little Salty, the salt marsh harvest mouse to the great raptors above, I hope you meet someone special at our Flyway Festival and fall in love.

Warmly,
Myrna Hayes
Festival Co-founder and Coordinator
Mare Island Heritage Trust