Westlake High School’s Environmental Club will host its second Bird Festival on Saturday, April 18. The free event will celebrate owls with arts and crafts, children’s activities like storytelling and a puppet theater, live bird demonstrations, games, guest speakers, an art show featuring the work of Westlake students and birding field trips along the school’s tree-lined walking paths.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school located at 3300 Middleton Road in Waldorf. Visitors should enter through the school cafeteria entrance.
Last year the club’s event focused on urban birds. This year’s focus on owls — specifically the eight species found in Maryland — is in response to raptors being threatened or endangered as the loss of their habitats has grown.
“Birds are very important to our environment,” Belicia Fernandez Fuentes, a sophomore, said. “Some work as pollinators, some as pest control. They definitely play a big role in our ecosystem.”
Elliot Lopez, a Westlake science teacher and sponsor of the Environmental Club, said the theme highlights the ecological service of owls, but will feature information and activities about all birds. Organizations are teaming up with the club to help out, including Wild Birds Unlimited, the Alice Ferguson Foundation, environmental education nonprofit Echoes of Nature, the Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center, Charles County Soil Conservation District and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Environmental Club members at Westlake work during the school year to promote CCPS’s recycling program, iRecycle Smart, take part in the annual Charles County Envirothon and hope to participate in cultivating plants and produce once its greenhouse is repaired and a grant comes through to add a vegetable garden to the school’s courtyard.
Learning about ecosystems and green practices today prepares students to be better stewards of Earth, sophomore Zuri Wright said. “It’s important to bring awareness to the environment,” she said.
The Bird Festival provides a valuable opportunity for families in Charles County and across Southern Maryland to learn about local wildlife and conservation efforts. Located in Waldorf, the school serves students from a region rich in natural resources, where protecting habitats is crucial for species like owls.
By focusing on the eight owl species native to Maryland, the event raises awareness about the challenges these birds face due to habitat loss. The partnerships with local organizations bring expert knowledge to the community, enhancing the educational value of the day.
The Environmental Club’s year-round activities show the commitment of Westlake students to sustainability. Promoting recycling through the iRecycle Smart program and participating in the Envirothon help build skills that benefit the entire Southern Maryland community.
The planned greenhouse repair and vegetable garden project will further the club’s efforts to teach practical green practices. Such initiatives help students connect classroom learning with real-world environmental stewardship.
Southern Maryland residents can take advantage of this free event to engage with nature close to home. The birding field trips along the school paths offer a chance to see birds in their natural habitat, while the variety of activities makes the festival enjoyable for all ages.
The festival aligns with broader community efforts to celebrate Earth Month and promote environmental awareness in Charles County. It encourages families to get involved in conservation and learn how everyday actions can support local ecosystems.
With multiple activities for children and adults, the event promises an engaging day for attendees. The live bird demonstrations and guest speakers will provide memorable experiences that inspire further interest in birds and the environment.
This community-focused festival highlights the role of schools in fostering environmental responsibility in Southern Maryland. It brings together students, parents and local experts to celebrate and protect the region’s natural heritage.
