Migratory Bird Day 2011 Launches

May 2011 In This Issue IMBD 2011 Launches America's Best Idea Walk on the Wild Side in Idaho 2012 Bird Species Odds & Ends Latino Interns Promote Events Migratory Bird Day Events Underway Children in Chicago hold a "bird parade" for Migratory Bird Day and Dia de ls Ninos (Day of the Child). Migratory Bird Day events are well underway.  The 2011 theme of engaging new participants in birdwatching, Go WILD! Go Birding, has also brought in new Migratory Bird Day host sites.  Many thanks and welcome to just a few of these new partners: Bureau of Land Management, Grants, NM Brookfield Bird City, Brookfield, WI White Mountain National Forest, Gorham, NH Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Las Vegas, Nevada El Valor, Chicago, IL USFS International Programs, Chicago, IL Peggy Notebaert Nature Center, Chicago, ILOregon State Parks Viles Arboretum, Augusta, ME  Are you offering a new event?  Please let us know by writing bday@birdday.org.  Was your organization hit by the recession?  Please contact us, so that we can help you with IMBD materials.   Don't forget to visit the website for activites, flyers, and ideas for your event!    Go WILD! Go Birding! America's Best Idea Grant Awarded Environment for the Americas and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve have been awarded a second grant from the National Park Foundation.  Funds will be used to create a bilingual youth coloring book and adult brochure describing the National Park System and the opportunities it provides. The idea for this project is a result of our work in Latino communities living near the Park.  The materials we create will help these communities better understand what to expect on a ranger-led program, general park rules, the opportunities to hike in the dunes, and more. Because we anticipate that other parks will be interested in having similar outreach materials,these will be designed so that they may be adapted for use by other sites.  Please contact us at bday@birdday.org if you're interested. Walk on the Wild Side in Idaho   In 2010, Idaho's Team Bird      Fanatics raised over $1,200   for conservation projects   during a one-day birdathon.  A   portion of these funds   benefitted development of a   Migratory Birds of the   West Indies coloring book and   Environment for the America's     education programs.  This year, the team is expanding its event as a Walk on the Wild Side.  With the opportunity to raise funds through on-line donations, the team will go birding for conservation.  Proceeds will benefit the Idaho Bird Observatory and Environment for the Americas.  Looking for a way to contribute to bird conservation?  Visit their site and other Walks, sign up to participate and/or make your donation. Walk on the Wild Side Vote for the Bird Day 2012 Bird Species Help us select the bird species that best represent the International Migratory Bird Day 2012 theme, which will focus on the benefits and impacts of alternative energy on birds.  This theme was selected by almost 200 partners, including educators, scientists, and bird enthusiasts.  As always, we'll be sure that the annual art is beautiful, while each bird species represents the conservation theme. Please take a moment to recommend the bird species that reflect issues related to solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro energy.  Thanks for making International Migratory Bird Day a success!  Bird Day 2012 Odds & Ends Courses, Conferences, New Resources 2011 State of the Birds-Public Lands and Waters has been released.  The report provides the nation's first assessment of the distribution of birds on public lands.   2011 State of the Birds What is Nature Worth A 3-minute video explores our the loss of plants, animals, and ecosystems and explores what we can do about it. Biodiversity Video Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds is hosting its 18th Regional Conference July 21-25, 2011.     SCSCB Conference  Email: sbonfield@birdday.org Web: www.birdday.org Phone: 1.866.334.3330 Interns Arrive to Promote Events in Latino Communities Daniela Salvatierra of Bolivia (right) meets with National Park Service staff, Kelli English, in California. Daniela Salvatierra (Bolivia), Carlos Gonzalez (Mexico), and Sara Ocasio (Puerto Rico) are working in California, Washington, and New Jersey to increase awareness of science programs and Migratory Bird Day events.  The enthusiasm of these NPS Park Flight Migratory Bird Program interns has resulted in radio interviews, programs in schools and with after-school programs, and a presence at community events. This spring, EFTA staff will be working with interns to survey events and determine if outreach efforts increase Latino participation.  If you want to learn more about this 3-year study, please contact sbonfield@birdday.org to receive the monthly update. Quick Links Take the IMBD organizer survey and help us plan for 2011. Organizer Survey Join our Facebook for regular updates. IMBD Themes: Past & Present Bird Day Event Ideas Connecting Cultures IMBD FAQs News from the Flyway ...is brought to you by Environment for the Americas, home of International Migratory Bird Day. Find out more at www.birdday.org

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