Monte Vista Crane Festival Tickets

Your General Admission ticket gets you access to: - Five (5) expert-led, morning and evening crane viewing sessions at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. - Any Crane Basics Talk by renowned crane experts at the Ski Hi Event Center. General Admission does NOT include: - Special Events (example Sip 'n Paint at the Historic Windsor Hotel) - Talks: Optional Add On Tickets (example: Arts & Advocacy for Conservation) - Tours: Optional Add On Tickets (example Blanca Wetlands Tour)

Your General Admission PLUS ticket gets you access to: -Five (5) expert-led, morning and evening crane viewing sessions at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. -Any Crane Basics Talk by renowned crane experts at the Ski Hi Event Center. -ALL expert talks at the Ski Hi Event Center, including the Keynote Address by acclaimed author and researcher Scott Weidensaul. OVER $100 value! Your General Admission PLUS Ticket does NOT include: - Special Events (example Sip 'n Paint at the Historic Windsor Hotel) - Tours: Optional Add On Tickets (example Blanca Wetlands Tour)

Join artist Amanda Charlton Hurley for a relaxing "Sip 'n Paint" event at the historic Windsor Hotel in Del Norte. Enjoy your favorite drink while Amanda guides you step-by-step in creating a stunning nature scene featuring the iconic sandhill cranes. Whether you're a seasoned painter or new to the canvas, this creative experience promises fun, inspiration, and a masterpiece to take home! Your ticket includes all materials and a drink coupon.

Immerse yourself in an evening of captivating short films and documentaries celebrating the theme of migration. From awe-inspiring journeys of wildlife and birds to powerful stories of nature and conservation, this special event at the Monte Vista Crane Festival showcases the beauty, resilience, and importance of our interconnected world.

Join artist Denny Wetmore for an outdoor painting adventure at the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge. Explore the art of capturing landscapes and wildlife in watercolor and gouache with Denny’s expert guidance. All supplies are provided—just bring your creativity and dress warmly for the elements. In case of snow, we’ll relocate to Ski Hi for an indoor session.

Join acclaimed author and researcher Scott Weidensaul for an extraordinary journey into the marvels of migratory birds. Drawing from his bestselling book A World on the Wing, Weidensaul takes us across the globe to uncover the incredible feats of migration and the efforts to save these extraordinary travelers. From groundbreaking scientific discoveries to grassroots conservation, explore how people are working to protect the world's great migrations.

Join Crestone artist Leigha Nicole for this beginner-friendly Brush Painting workshop! In this class, you will learn traditional Chinese brush painting techniques to create a work of Crane art on flexible “Shikishi” card stock that is immediately ready for framing. Artists will have the choice of painting a simple Crane silhouette on a gold moon or a Brush Painting style Crane that uses Po Mo brush stroke techniques to bring home your own hand-painted masterpiece from Crane Fest!

IMPORTANT! This is NOT a TICKET. Adding this ticket to your cart does NOT give you a place in the the workshop. This is a placeholder only, which indicates that MVCF organizers will email you with details about the workshop and connect you with the workshop leader, Ed MacKerrow. In Light of Nature, an official sponsor of the Monte Vista Crane Festival, is offering three separate, one-day workshops during the 2025 Crane Festival. Each workshop is limited to 10 photographers per day—please sign up early to reserve your spot! The cost of each one-day workshop is $165/participant. No "tag-alongs" please. Each person attending the workshop must register, including spouses. Visit https://inlightofnature.com/mvnwr-cranefest-photographyworkshop-v2/ to reserve your spot!

Experience the majesty of live raptors up close with Hawks Aloft! For over 25 years, Hawks Aloft has educated audiences with engaging programs featuring permanently injured, non-releasable raptors. This dynamic presentation includes live birds, stunning photography of western raptors, and fascinating stories and facts about these incredible creatures. A must-see for bird enthusiasts of all ages!

Join Jocelyn Catterson and Ben Katz for an engaging discussion about the proposed National Conservation Area in the southern San Luis Valley along the Rio Grande. Learn about the ecological and cultural importance of the area, its value as critical bird habitat, and the collaborative efforts of organizations like the Conservation Lands Foundation, RiGHT, the Salazar Center, the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, and the BLM. This talk will also highlight an innovative arts and advocacy project aimed at fostering public awareness and support for the proposed designation.

Explore the fascinating world of the jaguar, South America's apex predator, and its delicate coexistence with people and wildlife in Brazil's Pantanal with John J. Rawinski. Discover how ecotourism is shaping the future for jaguars and the local community, even as wildfires threaten this fragile ecosystem. Join us for an insightful talk on the challenges and resilience of this majestic cat and its environment. Speaker John J. Rawinski is a retired U.S. Forest Service scientist, is a passionate birder and award-winning wildlife photographer. He has documented birdlife in the San Luis Valley through his guidebook Birding Hotspots of South-Central Colorado, articles, and a bird blog. An expert on owls, John documented the first Boreal Owls in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains and New Mexico. He shares his love for birds through educational programs and as a long-time contributor to the Monte Vista Crane Festival.

Explore the impacts of climate change on wetlands and migratory birds, focusing on the white-faced ibis. Learn how GPS tracking reveals ibis migration patterns, site fidelity, and adaptations to shifting wetland ecosystems, guiding conservation efforts across the Pacific and Central Flyways.

Delve into the fascinating world of North American monarch butterflies with ecologist Liz Goehring. Explore their annual migration cycle, population trends, the recent ESA listing decision, and practical ways individuals can contribute to monitoring and protecting this iconic species.

Join Suzie and Jake from Diamond Dog Detection & Training for an insightful presentation on the incredible work of wildlife detection dogs in conservation. Learn how these highly trained canines assist in locating endangered species, monitoring wildlife populations, and contributing to environmental research. Discover the unique bond between handler and dog and how their teamwork supports critical conservation efforts across diverse ecosystems. Don't miss this fascinating look into the innovative role of dogs in wildlife protection!

Experience the majesty of live raptors up close with Hawks Aloft! For over 25 years, Hawks Aloft has educated audiences with engaging programs featuring permanently injured, non-releasable raptors. This dynamic presentation includes live birds, stunning photography of western raptors, and fascinating stories and facts about these incredible creatures. A must-see for bird enthusiasts of all ages!

Experience the Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area, a vital 10,000-acre wetland southwest of Great Sand Dunes National Park. This special-access tour offers a chance to explore habitats rich in migrating waterfowl, winter raptors, and resident songbirds. Look for species like bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, and perhaps even mule deer or elk in this birding hotspot.

Discover the innovative conservation efforts at Trinchera Ranch on this half-day tour. Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch at the lodge, followed by a guided exploration of the ranch’s adaptive forestry, rangeland, riparian, stream, wildlife, and fisheries management projects. Tour in 4WD vehicles and be inspired by the impactful work being done to preserve this remarkable landscape. Dress warmly, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and binoculars for this unforgettable experience.

Discover the cutting-edge conservation efforts at the J.W. Mumma Native Aquatic Species Research Facility near Alamosa. Led by facility manager Rick Romero and staff, this two-hour interactive tour showcases the unique work being done to protect and propagate over a dozen native aquatic species, including endangered fish and amphibians like the boreal toad. After the tour, enjoy self-guided exploration of the adjacent Playa Blanca State Wildlife Area for opportunities to spot sandhill cranes and other wildlife.

Join local ornithologist and author John Rawinski for a 1.5-hour guided birding tour at Home Lake, a hotspot for waterfowl, shorebirds, and bald eagles. Suitable for all skill levels, this easy walk covers less than a mile on level ground. Binoculars recommended; spotting scopes may be available.

Join local ornithologist and author John Rawinski for a 1.5-hour guided birding tour at Home Lake, a hotspot for waterfowl, shorebirds, and bald eagles. Suitable for all skill levels, this easy walk covers less than a mile on level ground. Binoculars recommended; spotting scopes may be available.

Join us for a guided exploration of the unique Elephant Rocks area, a 378-acre geologic wonder just north of Del Norte. Known for its ancient volcanic tuff formations, this site offers stunning views of the San Luis Valley and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and learning about the area's rich history and wildlife, including sightings of rock wrens, pinyon jays, and more.

Step back over 12,000 years with experts Jen Kolise (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and Price Heiner (Rio Grande National Forest) on this exclusive tour of the Spring Creek Site, located on the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Typically closed to the public, this site reveals the rich history of Pleistocene megafauna and the people who thrived in the lush San Luis Valley through changing climates.

Go behind the scenes with Refuge Manager Suzanne Beauchaine to explore the hidden wonders of the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. Witness wintering bald eagles, migrating waterfowl, and possibly porcupines, deer, elk, and coyotes. Learn about the Refuge’s year-round habitat conservation efforts and experience its secret places during this exclusive tour.

Join the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust for an exclusive tour of Bee's Preserve in Monte Vista. Gain unique insights into the world of private land conservation and its vital role in preserving open lands, water resources, and wildlife habitat. Explore the rich landscapes of this protected property, often home to a variety of wildlife, including sandhill cranes. Discover how private land conservation helps safeguard the valley's natural beauty and resources for future generations.