Wildlife refuge to open new headquarters, host festival

The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge’s will be hosting a grand opening for their new headquarters and their 27th annual “Boomin’ and Bloomin’ Festival” April 4-6.

The grand opening will take place on April 4 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., marking a “significant milestone in the refuge’s conservation efforts,” made possible with the support of the Great American Outdoors Act funds.

This event aims to celebrate the vital partnerships that have been instrumental in the recovery of the critically endangered Attwater’s prairie-chicken, as well as honor the communities served.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., featuring a brief welcoming speech from the refuge manager, followed by a performance of the prairie-chicken dance by Native American dancers of the Screaming Eagle family. Guest speakers include U.S Fish and Wildlife Service leadership, a family member of the original landowners, a partner from captive breeding efforts, and a representative from the city of Eagle Lake.

From 11:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the event will feature partner booths, an open house of the exhibit hall, birding tours, prairie plant tours, and a full performance by the Native American dancers.

The following two days will see the 27th edition of the “Boomin’ and Bloomin’ Festival” take place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5 to Sunday, April 6.

From 7-9 a.m., attendees will be able to view the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken population. Guided bird walks will take place from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Morning refuge tours will take place from 10-11 a.m. Guided plant walks will take place from 10:3011:30 a.m. From 1-2 p.m., afternoon refuge tours will take place.

There will also be live animal displays, activities for kids, merchandise for sale, food and more. Signups for events are first come, first serve, and can be found in the visitor center.