Appalachian Understories will once again be hosting this year’s Birds in the Hills Festival, which will take place May 17-19 at Wisteria Event Site and Campground in Pomeroy. As part of Appalachian Understories’ mission, this event focuses on promoting a sense of place for community members and learning more about our regional assets by exploring the biodiversity of the Appalachian region through interactive nature activities.

This family-friendly event will feature bird-watching hikes, camping activities, interactive workshops, live music with Rock n’ Cave Revival, food, and more. The event is ideal for both beginners and seasoned birders. Tickets can be purchased here and they range from $10 to 80.  The ticket’s price changes based on a day pass, weekend pass or kids ticket pricing. Facilities include potable water spigots throughout the campground, hot showers, internet service, trash, compost and recycling.

About the place, the campground is 80 acres of meadows and woodlands nestled into the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Observing the nearest breeding bird survey route recorded by the USGS in 2022, a total of 104 species have been documented along this pathway. Including American Woodcock, Eastern Screech-Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Purple Martin, Eastern Meadowlark, Worm-eating Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Indigo Bunting and so many more!

Madison Donohue, Tourism Manager for Appalachian Understories, has been in charge of planning the annual event for the last four years.

“Each year, I am amazed by the sense of community that is so quickly established at the event,” she says. “It’s a magical thing to see a group of strangers connecting over their love for nature, resulting in friendships and a deepened appreciation for the natural world.”

LaRanda, Tourism Specialist for Appalachian Understories, was previously involved with the event as a volunteer and then an art vendor, but is now helping to plan it.

“It’s been exciting to be a part of this event in several different capacities and to watch it grow and evolve with its new location at Wisteria,” LaRanda says.

Appalachian Understories, a social enterprise of Rural Action, provides natural and cultural historic tourism in Appalachian Ohio, hiring local guides, historians, and naturalists to create outdoor experiences for people. The tours allow participants to enjoy the natural beauty of SE Ohio while learning about the rich cultural history of the region.

“It takes a lot of hard work to create opportunities for such transformative moments,” says Joe Brehm, Chief Program Officer for Rural Action. “Thankfully, my colleague Madison took on all of this hard work so that I and other festival goers could bask in the beauty of birds together.”

Rural Action is a regional community development organization with a 32-county footprint working with members and community leaders on a range of quality of life, environmental, and economic projects across rural Appalachian Ohio. Its mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways. Learn more about Rural Action at www.ruralaction.org.