Brian Collins and Naomi Hadley shared tips, tricks, and resources for bringing birds into the classroom and taking students outdoors to observe birds.
Naomi coordinates the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin annual Birdathon. Check out her information on Bringing the Birdathon to your classroom.
Brian uses a variety of resources in his high school classroom to connect students to ecosystem dynamics through birds. He stressed the relative availability and appeal of birds as an avenue to looking at the bigger picture of ecology, sustainability, and ecological indicators. Here are some of the resources he shared during his presentation. Using these tools, students can apply critical thinking skills to interpret maps, habitat requirements, and diversity.
eBird
allows students to track local bird populations over time, asking questions, making predictions, and adding to the data pool.
eBird Science
allows students to access and work with the data behind eBird’s maps and charts.
eBird Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas
is a direct link to the data collected by volunteers throughout the state.
All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
provides background information about birds regarding appearance, calls, diet, habitat, and more.
Brian shared his passion for being part of a community of learners and emphasized the benefits of knowing both the natural places and the residents that can only come by staying in the same position for a long time. He also gave compelling reasons for teaching lessons learned in the past, historic losses of species, and successful recovery of species. Remember that the students of today have no connection to issues like DDT, market hunting, and habitat degradation.
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin website
Great Wisconsin Birdathon
- Great Wisconsin Birdathon Information page
- Great Wisconsin Birdathon registration/team platform
- NRF 2023 Birdathon webinar recording
Receive funding to help get your students outside. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Next deadline: March 31st, June 30st, September 30th, or December 31st
Free lesson plans
Audubon Adventures (National Audubon)
International Crane Foundation
Cornell Lab of Ornithology K-12 Education Activities
Environment for the Americas’ Bird Education Resource Directory
Backpacks and Kits
Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education library environmental education kits
Bird monitoring kits include: 15 pairs binoculars, 1 spotting scope with tripod, 5 field guides, Posters, 1 bird placemat, 1 CD of common birds found in Wisconsin, 1 Educator's guide
Madison Public Library birding backpacks:
BIPOC Birding Club Birding Backpacks
Kits include: 1 pair of Nocs adult binoculars, 1 pair of Nocs kid’s binoculars, 1 Sibleys East Field Guide, 1 Backpack, 1 Bird Guide for kids, 1 Field Guide for kids
NRF also recommends
Story Edventures
Activities
Wisconsin's Favorite Winter Birds
Wildlife Webcams
Bird Profiles
About 4 dozen species accounts
Videos
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