To celebrate International Migratory Bird Day, the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge staff joined hands with the City of Gautier, Mississippi, to welcome visitors to the Gautier Birding & Ecology Festival. This was the first of three events planned to showcase the birds of the Pascagoula River watershed. Project Leader Alan Schriver stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Gautier Mayor, City Manager, and several council members in a ribbon cutting ceremony to proclaim the opening of Migratory Bird Day events along the Mississippi coast. Refuge staff demonstrated radio tracking and prescribed fire. Gautier city employees and friends of the refuge volunteers assisted visitors and provided information. The Nature Conservancy interpreted their portable exhibits, Master Naturalists led birding and plant identification tours, and a local birding columnist and author held a book signing. U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor provided lunch for the 200 visitors, with his staff preparing blackened shrimp for the appreciative crowd.