The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Great Texas Birding Classic has once again proven to be a soaring success, with a flock of 1,250 participants joining the ranks to champion avian conservation. According to TPWD's latest press release, the event raised an impressive $52,000 through registrations and sponsorships, earmarked for native bird habitats and conservation efforts. Now in its 28th year, the Birding Classic has cumulatively raised around $1.2 million, solidifying its status as the United States' foremost birdwatching competition.
Shelly Plante, TPWD Nature Tourism Manager, was thrilled with the turnout, noting the mix of familiar faces and fresh blood. "The number of new teams joining the fun was fantastic to watch!” she told TPWD. The 212 teams, ranging from rookies to veteran twitchers, were privy to an impressive 420 species of birds, including everything from the tiniest hummingbirds to the most majestic hawks.
The event wasn't just for the seasoned pros, as newcomers like Kadonna Knape found a place among the Just Us Birds team. "I am new to this, but excited to participate. I’m definitely a newbie to birding and the tournament,” Knape shared in a statement obtained by TPWD. Meanwhile, family teams like the Holt sisters' Family Flock and Port Aransas Spoonbills savored sweeping their respective contests, making the Classic a true familial triumph.
Longtime birder John Eaves discovered the joys of avian diversity right in his own backyard, an experience that resonates with the core spirit of the event. "This was really a blast. I learned a lot; saw birds I did not even know were sharing my back yard," Eaves said in an interview with TPWD. Such anecdotes highlight the Classic's role in not just funding conservation, but also in expanding the community's appreciation for Texas' feathered residents.
Winners of this year's competition had the privilege of directing funds toward a variety of conservation projects. Notably, $10,000 will enhance the Quintana Beach County Park habitat, while another $20,000 will support the Packery Channel Oak Motte Sanctuary's expansion. Smaller grants were awarded for initiatives including tool acquisition for the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and habitat improvements at the Circle Acres Nature Preserve.
Support from prominent sponsors like Toyota, the Texas Ornithological Society, and Audubon Texas has been pivotal in the Birding Classic's ongoing success and its contribution to conservation grants. Participants' passion complemented by such backing ensures that Texas' birds will continue to thrive, thanks to the collective effort of a community brought together by the love of birding.
