Orange Beach, Ala. — (GSN) — Shorebirds and coastal conservation will take center stage when the 3rd Annual Nest Fest returns to Orange Beach Waterfront Park. The community event is designed for families and nature lovers of all ages. Organizers say the afternoon will combine fun activities with easy ways to learn about local wildlife. The celebration will also highlight efforts to protect beach‑nesting birds along the coast.

This year’s Nest Fest will be held on Sunday, May 31, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Orange Beach Waterfront Park. The park, which overlooks the bay, is a popular venue for outdoor community events and family gatherings. Nest Fest will use the open space along the water to set up games, art stations, and information tents.

The event is free to attend and is being hosted by the City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources Department, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Audubon. Together, the groups work on projects that protect nesting habitats and teach residents how to share the shore with wildlife. Their staff and volunteers plan to be on-site throughout the afternoon.

Families attending can look forward to interactive games, hands-on art activities, and informative booths. Children will have the opportunity to create simple crafts while learning how to identify nests and give birds enough space. Adults can engage with biologists and conservation staff to learn about ways they can help protect coastal species both at home and on the beach.

Organizers say free food will be provided during the event, making it easy for families to stay and enjoy the full afternoon. Live music by local band Saucy Fuzz is set to play from the main stage, adding a festival feel to the day. With food, music, and activities, the goal is to create a relaxed setting where learning about conservation feels fun and welcoming.

Event partners say they hope residents and visitors will come out to support both the coast and the birds that call it home. “Help us welcome our beach-nesting birds to the area,” organizers said when promoting the festival. They say Nest Fest is another way the community can come together to care for the shoreline and the wildlife that depends on it.