The keynote speaker will be Julie Zickefoose, who lives and works quietly on an 80-acre wildlife sanctuary in the back country of Whipple, Ohio. She is a prolific writer and painter who was an All Things Considered commentator for five years. Julie is a renowned naturalist, artist, and author (noted for Saving Jemima and a long-time contributor to Bird Watcher’s Digest). You can read more about Julie on her website.

Her talk is an origin story; a close look at the making of a natural history writer and illustrator. It follows the threads of inspiration from formative books and influential artists in Julie’s early years, to the creation of her own books. Zickefoose tracks in intimate detail the exceptionally close interactions she has with birds under her study and care. These experiences have given her deep insight into the way birds think and see the world. “There’s no better way to come to know a bird than to be its mama. Then, to let it go and watch it learn to navigate its world and become what it was meant to be—this is how I come to understand birds: from their beginnings on outward.”

Hear Julie’s inspiring story as she kicks off the Festival on Friday evening at Springbrook Gardens.