Winter Wildlife Festival
Join us in January for a month-long celebration of coastal wildlife and nature featuring a flock of engaging programs to embrace our coastal beauty.
2027 Festival Dates – Jan. 23-31, 2027
- Festival kickoff – Saturday, Jan. 23, 2027 at Princess Anne Recreation Center
- Registration for trips opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 16.
Event Details
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2027 at MEO Central Library
Stay tuned for more info!
Exhibitor applications accepted Oct. 5–Nov. 15; email prspecialevents@vbgov.com for more information.
2026 Winter Wildlife Photo Contest Winners
Best in Show: William Murray
People’s Choice: Shawn Brooks
Wildlife Action: William Stamper
Wildlife Portrait: Rick Guyot
Landscape/Scenic: William Cody Chaplain
Festival in Action: Constance Owen
Youth: Wesley F. (14 years old)
Honorable Mention Winners
Wildlife Action: Mary Kloecker
Wildlife Portrait: Caroline Prevost
Landscape/Scenic Honorable Mention: Judy Jones
Festival in Action Honorable Mention: Yasmin May
Youth Category Honorable Mention: Kai D. (15 years old)
Visit the MEO Central Library Gallery during March 2026 to see the WWF Photo Contest Winning Photos on display.
Mary Reid Barrow Wildlife Advocate Award
Named after Mary Reid Barrow, who devoted her entire career to engaging the public about our natural environment, the Wildlife Advocate Award was created in 2020 as a way to honor those in our community who strive to make a difference for wildlife and the environment.
Barrow's weekly columns made nature relatable to the average person, and she was a gentle but tireless advocate for wildlife. She continues to serve the community through her involvement with environmental non-profits and campaigns.
2026 Winner: Lisa Barlow
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is proud to name Lisa Barlow, a dedicated wildlife rehabilitator and advocate with Tidewater Rehabilitation and Environmental (TREE), as the 2026 recipient of the Mary Reid Barrow Wildlife Advocate Award. Presented on February 21 during the 16th annual Winter Wildlife Festival, this peer-nominated award honors individuals who celebrate, advocate for, and educate the community about local wildlife.
Through her leadership at TREE, Barlow and her team admitted 1,521 patients across 147 species in 2024 alone, helping thousands of animals recover and safely return to their natural habitats. Barlow also shares her expertise with schools, organizations, conferences, and veterinary and rehabilitation professionals, empowering others to become active stewards of the environment.
Previous Award Winners
- 2025: Jody Ullmann
- 2024: Maurice Cullen
- 2023: Mark Swingle
- 2022: Reese Lukei
- 2021: Meredith Broadhurst
Family Movie Night – Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027 at Williams Farm Recreation Center
Special Thanks to our Sponsors
Winter Wildlife Festival
Get Your WWF Merch
