Join us in Alpine, Texas January 30-February 1 for a weekend of activities, information and education on Texas Wildlife! This year’s focus: OWLS!
All Wildlife Weekend events are FREE! No tickets are required.
The Friday evening and Saturday morning guided walks/hikes have very limited capacity and do require a reservation. See the schedule below for links and reservation details.
This page will be updated with additional events and details as 2026 plans develop.
Enter Now to Win your stay at the Holland Hotel during Alpine’s Wildlife Weekend!
Sign up for the Visit Alpine, Texas email newsletter and enter to win 3 nights at Alpine’s historic Holland Hotel, plus a gift package! Winner will be selected on January 9, 2026.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
Much-appreciated support for Alpine’s Wildife Weekend comes from Borderlands Research Institute, Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, Dixon Water Foundation, Texas Ornithological Society, the Holland Hotel, the Granada Theatre, the Maverick Inn, McDonald Observatory and Visit Alpine, Texas.
LEARN FROM OUR PARTNERS!
Programming will include experts from Borderlands Research Institute, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Singing Dog Wildlife, Fin and Fur Films, Bat Conservation International and more!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
PARTICIPATE AND WIN!
Attend all the Wildlife Weekend events and activities for more chances to win great prizes!
Every stop at a Wildlife Weekend activity, or one of the participating downtown businesses will get you an additional chance to win a grand prize! Pick up a contest card at the Museum Reception and collect stamps to enter.
WILDLIFE PHOTO CONTEST!
Enter online, must be present to win
Submit your best nature photos, and winners will be selected by Wildlife Weekend attendees! More details coming soon.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
Welcome Reception at the Museum of the Big Bend
Doors open at 6pm
Meet the conservation partners working to protect Texas wildlife, hear brief updates on last year’s Research Keynote subjects, and enjoy a special short film screening of “Talking to Owls” a short film from Texas Parks & Wildlife about current research on owls in the Davis Mountains!
Owl Walk at Kokernot Park
The Owl Walk will start at 8:00pm at Kokernot Municipal Park.
Click Here to make your reservation (required). Availability is very limited!
Join Dr. Maureen Frank and Romey Swanson to explore the habitat along Alpine Creek, learn about the owls who live there, and hopefully see and hear some of our nighttime neighbors!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Guided Hike on Hancock Hill
Hike begins at 9:ooam. Reservation required, registration opens early January.
Join Dr. Ryan S. Luna on a moderately strenuous 1.8-mile hike on Hancock Hill (behind the Sul Ross State University campus). Dr. Luna will focus on mammals and quail, their habitat on the hill, how they use it and what they prefer. The group will also examine and ID any evidence of animal activity they encounter, such as tracks and scat.
Bird Walk at Kokernot Park
The Bird Walk will start at 9:00am at Kokernot Municipal Park.
Click Here to make your reservation (required). Availability is very limited!
Join Dr. Maureen Frank to learn about birds of Alpine! We will start with some bird identification and binoculars basics to get everyone on the same page. We will practice these skills on some common species, and then take a walk through Kokernot Park, and you never know what we might find!
Family Activities at Alpine Farmers Market
The Alpine Farmers Market is 9:00am to Noon at the Alpine Visitor Center.
Fun activities and educational displays, for ALL AGES!
Wildlife Scavenger Hunt
The Alpine Farmers Market is 9:00am to Noon at the Alpine Visitor Center. Complete the hunt to be eligible to win great prizes!
Pick up a Wild Scavenger Hunt sheet and start exploring the Farmers Market!
Downtown Shops & Restaurants
Explore local shops and restaurants in downtown Alpine, showcasing wildlife-themed eats, drinks, and treasures! Participating businesses include Joe Crow Coffee, Vise Coffee, Cedar Coffee and Supply, Alcove Social, The Ritchey, Bock Burger, Bread Garden Bakery, Cow Dog, Big Bend Art Gallery, Front Street Books, and Wassermann’s
Bread Garden Bakery Cookies & Crafts
11:oo am at Bread Garden Bakery on Holland Avenue.
Details coming soon.
Lunch and Learn at Granada Theatre
Lunch and Learn begins at Noon in the Granada Theatre.
Get a delicious lunch next door from Alcove Social (be sure to order early!) and enjoy a series of brief presentations from SRSU Graduate Research Assistants about ongoing wildlife projects at Borderlands Research Institute.
Live drawing event at Front Street Books
The drawing session will begin at 1:00pm at Front Street Books. Arrive early to sign up for a drawing, only a limited number can be completed during the event!
2024 BBNP Artist in Residence Chris Ruggia will hold one of his popular sessions of 5-minute cartoon animal drawings. Sign up, select your favorite animal and watch it happen!
Aoudad Cooking Demonstration and Tasting
2:00 pm, location to be announced.
Aoudad (or Barbary Sheep) is an invasive species that competes aggressively against native Desert Bighorn Sheep for the same ecological niche. Aoudad population control is a serious challenge, though they are a popular target for trophy hunters. This demo will show tips for making a delicious meal from these less-then-welcome neighbors…
Keynote Presentations and Panel Discussion at Granada Theatre
Keynotes will begin at 5:00pm at Granada Theatre.
Saturday’s keynote will feature Romey Swanson, who has spearheaded the research project underway with Borderlands Research Institute and The Nature Conservancy studying Northern Saw-Whet Owls and Flammulated Owls in the Davis Mountains Preserve.
Also presenting will be filmmakers Bryce Spangler (director of the TPW short documentary “Talking to Owls”) and Austin Alvarado (director of the short documentary “Second Chance” on Trans-Pecos Black Bears).
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Botanical Garden Guided Tour at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center
Nature Photography Workshop
2:00 pm at the Museum of the Big Bend.
Learn about wildlife photography from bird photography expert Michael Gray, and landscape photography from Robert Greeson.