"If you take care of birds, you take care of most of the environment problems in the world."

- Dr. Thomas Lovejoy

Wings of Iowa 
​A Celebration of Birds
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2026

Save the Date!
Join us for the 3rd Annual Wings of Iowa: A Celebration of Birds
A fundraiser supporting the lifesaving work of Iowa Bird Rehabilitation.
An evening of inspiration, community, and compassion for Iowa’s wild birds.

Saturday, March 7th 2026
The Monroe,
1805 90th St.  West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
6-9pm Doors Open at 5:30

Come back often in January and February for new announcements.
Early Bird Tickets Available through 2/8/2026!

SILENT AUCTION | GREAT FOOD | SPECIAL GUESTS
All for a great cause.
We hope to see you as we celebrate the birds of Iowa.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS

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Dress Attire: Cocktail attire is recommended—think dresses, jumpsuits, or suits that feel polished and ready for an evening out. However, the event is meant to be comfortable and welcoming, so feel free to come in something a bit more relaxed if that’s your style.

TYLER HARMS

Keynote

Make no mistake—Tyler Harms is a true “bird nerd.” A leader in Iowa’s birding and wildlife community, he has served as president of both the Iowa Chapter and North Central Section of The Wildlife Society and currently serves as president of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union. He is also the volunteer Executive Director of Iowa Young Birders, a statewide nonprofit that uses birds and birding to connect kids with the outdoors. Since 2014, Tyler has led field trips and educational programs for thousands of Iowa youth, developed a novel Summer Birding Program that has grown from 170 to more than 500 participants in just four years, and expanded access to birding resources by placing birding backpacks in public libraries across the state.

Professionally, Tyler works in the Wildlife Research Section of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, where he leads and contributes to research on species ranging from secretive marsh birds to Trumpeter Swans and Ruffed Grouse, translating robust monitoring into effective, science-based conservation and management.
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In 2022, Tyler organized a small group of volunteers in Ames and Nevada to conduct Chimney Swift roost counts during migration—an effort that continues today. His passion for these often-overlooked birds has helped catalyze broader efforts across Iowa to monitor, conserve, and raise awareness of the species.
Through his work, Tyler has become a trusted voice for bird conservation in Iowa, known for translating science into action and inspiring others to get involved. Above all, he believes that meaningful conservation begins with curiosity, community, and time spent outdoors.

ThanK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

CHAMPION LEVEL

OPEN SPONSORSHIP

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HERO  LEVEL

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PROTECTOR  LEVEL

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DEFENDER  LEVEL

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ADVOCATE AND SAMARITAN CONTRIBUTOR  LEVELS

We are currently filling sponsorship opportunities and collecting auction items.
If you are interest in becoming a sponsor or donating to our auction. Please go to the link below for more information.

SPONSORSHIP AND AUCTION DONATIONS

WHY WE DO THE WORK

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If you were at the gala last year you got the first look at this video. We were so excited to share our vision.  

This  year we have expanded of all our systems at IBR, lots of improvements, learning and planning. We hope you can join us March 8 to hear more about how we are making a difference for birds and our community.

Gala Location
The Monroe
1805 90th St.
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
United States