“The Renewals of Spring”

April 27th, 2025

1:00pm - 5:30pm

Join Wes Homoya - native Hoosier, avid birder, international tour guide, and passionate conservationist - for another quarterly installment of everyone's favorite local birdin’ n boozin’ brew bus benefit bash, as we explore nature and enjoy quality adult beverages together, and for good causes!

We meet and begin our adventure at 1pm at Ash & Elm Cider Co. for a convivial guided tasting, time to enjoy a glass of your preference, and a chance to buy carryout libations for the roadtrip (consider bringing your favorite growler to fill- Ash & Elm has a special on Sundays!).

We’ll then head a short ways north to iconic Holliday Park - many know it as the home of the Ruins (and its summer concerts), but the property of course offers so much more as a haven in our city for flora and fauna throughout its forested trails along the White River. As always, Wes will provide his signature blend of bird and nature identifications and musings during the ~90 minute stroll. We're thrilled this time to also have Alex Richards, Network Leader from Outdoor Afro, serving as co-guide and sharing his biophilia and perspectives on the land and features we encounter. Outdoor Afro is a non-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature, and reconnects Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation.

Afterwards, our bus will take us across the river to where its oxbow meets the canal, that is, to the famous Broad Ripple Brewpub (the state's first such establishment), for drinks and further merriment - we'll be there for their Happy Hour! Then we'll return downtown to arrive back to Ash and Elm around 5:30 pm, where everyone is invited to continue hanging out, get something to eat, and of course drink more delicious cider and chat all about birds until you're ready to head home.

Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring binoculars if you like/have them (we will have a limited amount available for those without them). Whether you've never been birding before or consider yourself an expert, you are most welcome!

Bottled water and cups will be made available on the bus. Cost is $50 per person with all profits split to benefit the Indiana Audubon Society, Outdoor Afro, and the Holliday Park Foundation. It will be a great time for anyone age 21 or older!