SPANISH FORT, Ala. — From turkey calling to canoe racing and fly fishing to nature photography, Spanish Fort’s third annual Delta Woods and Waters Expo promises a crash course in all things Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

“It’s absolutely amazing to me what we’ve been able to put together this year. It just keeps getting better and better,” said Donna Dunning, who along with Mayor Joe Bonner serves as the city of Spanish Fort’s liaison to the expo’s steering committee.

The environmental education extravaganza is slated for April 28-30 at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Causeway. Although the first two days cater exclusively to area fourth-graders, the final day is designated Family Day and offers an expanded slate of activities, food and musical performances. Family Day is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Created in 2009 to expose area youth to the virtues of environmental consciousness and importance of marine safety, organizers also saw the opportunity to address the city’s long-range goal of creating a communitywide event that defines and unites its residents.

5 Rivers Manager Hank Burch said the students filtering through the round-robin activities will not only increase their knowledge of plants and animals present in the delta but also develop skills for enjoying responsible outdoor recreation.

“It’s about building a lifelong love of the outdoors, and you couldn’t ask for a better setting than right here in Spanish Fort,” Burch said.

In fact, an extensive slate of outdoorsmen, professionals and educators have signed on to provide hands-on opportunities to help festival-goers of all ages increase their understanding of the delta’s amenities while promoting environmental stewardship.

As featured presenter, John C. Hall will reprise his role as storied naturalist William Bartram, who traveled through Alabama in 1775, recording firsthand data on the region’s undisturbed natural environment and native inhabitants. Hall is the founding curator of the University of West Alabama’s Black Belt Regional Museum and the author of “Headwaters: A Journey on Alabama Rivers.”

As of press time, the expo also boasted the following topics and presenters:

• Black Bears of the Delta: Alabama Black Bear Alliance’s Daniel Powel; Doyle Keasal with the Auburn University Cooperative Extension; and Shirley West with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

• Turkey Calling: Kenneth Weiss, Kenneth “The Gobbler” Weiss Jr. and Hannis Williams.

• Small Boat Handling: Local canoe and kayak tour guide and instructor Gene Booth and others.

• Fly Fishing and Tying: Chuck Fisk and the Eastern Shore Fly Fishing Association.

• Raptor Trek: Coosa river Science School.

• Rod and Reel Casting: Local fishing expert Jim Parker.

• Wildlife/Reptiles: Joel Borden with the University of South Alabama’s biology department.

• Wildlife/Birds: Roger Clay, a wildlife biologist with the ADCNR’s Wildlife and Fisheries Division.

• Delta Entomology: Donald Yee with the University of Southern Mississippi’s biological sciences department.

• Nature Photography: Local photographer Fontaine Howard.

• Retrieving Dogs: Rob Leatherbury and Eddie Youngblood with Belle Shain Kennels

• Hiking Gear: Joe Cuhaj with the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alabama Hiking Trails Society.

• Woodlands Nature Walk: 5 Rivers Manager Hank Burch.

• Wildlife/Birds: Local naturalist and educator Nancy Martin.

• Red-Bellied Turtle Challenge: Anita Salinas.

• Spinning and Handspun Yarn: Educator Linda Smith.

• Sea Life: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Discovery Hall educators (Thursday and Friday only)

• Marine Activities/Marine Resources Touch Tank: ADCNR.

• Archery Demonstration: National Archery in Schools Program and the ADCNR.

• Boater Safety/Virtual Jet Ski: Alabama Marine Police.

• Recycling: Keep Mobile Beautiful’s Phyllis Wingard.

• Scouting and Boy Scout Village: Scout Troop 177.

• Hunter Safety/Virtual Shooting Range: Chuck Sharp, a wildlife biologist with the ADCNR’s Wildlife and Fisheries Division.

• Small Electronic Recycling: Equit-E-Cycle.

In addition, 5 Rivers Delta Safaris is sponsoring the inaugural Great Bartram Canoe Classic at 1 p.m. April 30.

“The expo is a signature event for the city of Spanish Fort, and we’re proud to be a Spanish Fort business. We just felt like this was something we could do to encourage a little family fun and really get people out on the water,” said Capt. Michael Dorie of the 3.5-mile race.

The cost of race registration is $30 for adults and free for children 12 and under. All race participants receive a free T-shirt, and the remainder will be sold to expo patrons for $15 each.

For more information about the expo, visit www.cityofspanishfort.com.