building a new approach to bird education “bird conservation through education”
TRANSCRIPT
Building a New Building a New Approach to Approach to
Bird EducationBird Education
“Bird Conservation through Education”
“Bird Conservation through Education”
About the Bird Education Network (BEN)About the Bird Education Network (BEN)
Why Birds?Why Birds?
Towards A National Towards A National StrategyStrategy
Get InvolvedGet Involved
Contact UsContact Us
COMMON NIGHTHAWK
Jim
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2001-2004
While planning the Flying WILD Curriculum Guide the Council for Environmental Education (CEE) recognized a clear need to identify and coordinate bird education resources
About the Bird Education NetworkAbout the Bird Education Network
“Bird Conservation through Education”
CE
E
Conservation Through Education: A National Gathering
• Inaugural meeting held in Austin, Texas, in 2007
• Attended by over 150 participants from 106 organizations
• Accepted formal resolution in support of bird education
• Accepted formal resolution for developing a bird education Plan
• Council for Environmental Education hosted a bird education working group meeting in Denver in 2007
BEN BackgroundBEN Background
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Jim
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AMERICAN KESTRAL
• ~8 members serving one two-year term
• Provide guidance on efforts of emerging Bird Education Network
• Initial goal is to develop and coordinate a national strategy for bird education
• BEN Committee is a standing committee for CEE
“Bird Conservation through Education”
BEN Committee was BEN Committee was formed in late 2007:formed in late 2007:
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BLACK-NECKED STILT
“Bird Conservation through Education”
The NetworkThe Network
Kim
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NORTHERN CARDINAL
“Bird Conservation through Education”
The NetworkThe Network
Jim
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sSHORT-EARED OWL
•Birds benefit when people take action to stem habitat loss and remove other barriers to healthy bird populations
•Wildlife in general benefits because steps to protect birds and their habitats improve environmental conditions for a wide variety of plants and animals
•People benefit because an environment where birds can thrive is a healthy environment for humans
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Bird education programs that Bird education programs that promote responsible, science-based promote responsible, science-based
action are highly desirable action are highly desirable because:because:
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TEXAS BIRDING FESTIVAL
We know from research that three things are needed to produce an adult who is equipped and inclined to participate responsibly and effectively in bird conservation:
•Early and repeated positive exposure to wildlife, birds, and natural areas
•Knowledge about natural processes, management practices, and environmental problems and their causes
•Empowerment and a belief in the ability to make a difference that can be gained through skill-building activities and experiences to address environmental problems
“Bird Conservation through Education”
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ROYAL TERNS
Birds are…Beautiful
Accessible
Ever-present
Emblematic
International
Part of our Heritage
Popular!
Why Birds?Why Birds?
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Jim
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ROSEATE SPOONBILLS
We need a cohesive Bird Education Strategy outlining:• A common set of identified problems• A common set of prime target
audiences• A common set of achievable goals
By adopting a national strategy bird educators will work towards a bird
literate society while achieving conservation outcomes for birds
Approaching a National Bird Approaching a National Bird Education Strategy Education Strategy
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Jim
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REDHEAD
A draft National Education Strategy was prepared by the BEN Committee and is being reviewed and revised by a diverse panel of bird educators.
The draft strategy is available online, and adoption and implementation of the strategy is set for 2010
“Ideally, our bird education strategy reminds bird educators where we have come from and helps indicate where we want to go, with a specific plan, the roadmap, to arrive at our desired destination”
Approaching a National Bird Approaching a National Bird Education Strategy Education Strategy
“Bird Conservation through Education”
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OSPREY
• Habitat LossFragmentation, urbanization, etc.
• Modern Industrial and Post-Industrial LifeCollisions, pollutants, etc.
• Insufficient Public AwarenessA bird illiterate society
• Insufficient FundingNGOs, Government, Research
• Inter-American Concerns Beyond the migration connection
BEN’s 5 Core Conservation BEN’s 5 Core Conservation ConcernsConcerns
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Kim
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HORSESHOE CRAB
SUMMER TANAGER
PROTHONATARY WARBLER
BEN’s 6 Target AudiencesBEN’s 6 Target Audiences• Students (mostly K-12)
the future• Boomers (and other adults)
the present• Communities of Diversity
the under-served• Birdwatchers
the interested• Hunters
the reliable• Landowners
the holders
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Kim
Ch
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BIRD BANDING
BEN’s 16 Goals BEN’s 16 Goals
1. Build BEN as a primary resource for bird educators
2. Availability and adoption of “best practices”
3. Spread model programs (state, local, national)
4. Develop partnerships with professionals
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“Bird Conservation through Education”
DUNLIN
BEN’s 16 Goals BEN’s 16 Goals 5. Engage in spreading the word about holistic bird education6. Broaden the content of scientific meetings to
include bird education7. Maintain network communications through
websites, listservs, newsletters, etc.8. Identify, fund, and create
needed bird education resources
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Jim
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BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
BEN’s 16 Goals BEN’s 16 Goals 9. Outline steps to maximize our reach
in under-served minority populations10. Initiate meetings, conferences, etc. to promote a Bird
Education Strategy11. Use a “National Gathering” to review and adjust strategic
objectives- Second gathering held March 2009 at Jekyll Island, Georgia
12. Establish a series of recognition efforts and awards
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Jim
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SHARP-TAILED GROUSE
BEN’s 16 Goals BEN’s 16 Goals 13. Influence the existing Bird Conservation Plans to develop “best practice”
education tools14. Influence the existing Migratory Bird Joint Ventures to include education
and outreach15. Get bird education to become
a part of national certification for interpretive naturalists
16. Explore deeper connections with our hemispheric neighbors
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Kim
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SANDHILL CRANES
BEN’s 7 Initial PrioritiesBEN’s 7 Initial Priorities
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Jim
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LARK BUNTING
Get InvolvedGet Involved Join the BEN listserv
500 participants and growing
> 300 organizations involved
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Kim
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eck
Get InvolvedGet Involved
BEN Website
www.birdeducation.org
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Get InvolvedGet Involved
BEN Bulletin
Launched June 2008Sent +/- monthlyOver 3,000 recipients
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Get InvolvedGet InvolvedOthers ways to spread the word
• BEN Committee• Banner• Materials• Meetings
“Bird Conservation through Education”
Join Us!Join Us! www.birdeducation.org
Bird Education Network
c/o Council for Environmental Education
5555 Morningside Drive (Suite 212)
Houston, TX 77005
“Bird Conservation through Education”