HATTIESBURG — Freedom Ranch will present its final event with the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County on March 23 at the Hattiesburg Public Library, giving community members a chance to learn about birds and migration through a live avian program. 

Freedom Ranch first partnered with the library last summer during the summer reading program at the Petal Public Library. 

After that event, the library applied for the Flight Path Grant, which helped fund partnerships with local organizations such as Freedom Ranch. The grant supports programs that teach residents about birds, bird safety and migration. 

The event is open to all ages and will begin at 5 p.m. Organizers said it will feature rescued native birds and an instructor who will share facts about the birds and explain their role in the local ecosystem. 

Miranda Davis, youth services librarian, said she contacted Freedom Ranch and the Hattiesburg Zoo after the grant was approved to help schedule events. 

“It’s very important to understand our local ecology and to see how important they are so we can understand how we can better help our birds survive,” Davis said. 

For more information, visit the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County Facebook page.