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On a surprisingly cool late‑June evening, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge became a living concert hall as more than 100 visitors gathered for Songbirds & Strings — a unique celebration where art and nature resonated in harmony. In many ways, the refuge itself acted as a co‑composer: the hush of wetlands, the whisper of wind through ponderosa pines, and the lively chorus of birds formed a natural overture before a single instrument was played. Just as classical composers have long looked to the wild world for inspiration, this event invited audiences to experience culture and conservation as two parts of the same beautifully interwoven story.
The core of the evening was a plein‑air string quartet concerto performed by the Spokane Symphony, whose music drifted across pond, pine, and prairie. As their notes blended with the refuge’s ever‑present soundscape, the boundary between stage and habitat seemed to dissolve, reminding everyone that creativity often begins with simply listening.
The program opened at 6 p.m. with a guided bird walk led by Spokane Audubon. More than 50 participants — ranging from first‑time birders to seasoned naturalists — set out along a short trail. Despite the large group, wildlife remained active and abundant. Songbirds flitted between shrub tops, waterfowl paddled quietly across wetlands, and the soft light of early evening illuminated each sighting.
By 7 p.m., visitors gathered around Headquarters Pond as Supervisory Park Ranger Josh Contois welcomed the crowd and introduced the Spokane Symphony quartet. The wetland setting, cradled by pines and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian vegetation, created a perfect acoustic cradle where music and birdsong answered one another in gentle dialogue.
The quartet performed a rich program of nature‑inspired works, including:
- Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik, I. Allegro
- Vivaldi – Il Gardellino (“The Goldfinch”), I. Allegro
- Handel – selections from Water Music
- Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake, Overture
- Saint‑Saëns – The Swan
- MacDowell – To a Wild Rose
- Haydn – The Lark Quartet, I. Allegro moderato
- Debussy – Clair de lune
During the performance, the musicians paused intentionally between pieces, allowing the audience to settle into moments of shared silence. Birds responded in kind — some singing from nearby snags, others swooping gracefully over the mobile stage — creating a magical call‑and‑response between the Quartet and the natural world. The atmosphere was joyful, serene, and deeply moving, as if both the wildlife and the musicians had agreed to share the spotlight.
Afterward, guests explored the refuge’s environmental education classroom, where rangers introduced waterfowl identification activities and answered questions about Turnbull’s unique habitats. The Friends of Turnbull NWR opened the Nature Store for special late‑night hours, greeting a steady flow of visitors and offering resources and keepsakes to extend the experience beyond the evening’s performance.
In the end, Songbirds & Strings was more than an event, it was a testament to what can happen when organizations come together with a shared vision. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Spokane Symphony, Spokane Audubon, and the Friends of Turnbull NWR each contributed expertise, enthusiasm, and creativity. Their collaboration transformed a simple evening into a powerful reminder that when communities unite around art, nature, and stewardship, the results can be truly extraordinary.
