Connecting Cultures: Engaging Latinos in Science Education
Connecting Cultures Newsletter 
from Environment for the Americas
August 2009
In This Issue
Project Participants
Interns Begin Surveys
Advisory Council Meets
Calendar of Events
Project Participants

PARTNERS
Colorado State University
National Park Service
Point Reyes Bird Observatory
New Jersey Audubon Society
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
Barr Lake State Park

ADVISORY COUNCIL
Wendy Hanophy
  Consultant
Edwin Juarez
  Arizona Game & Fish Department
Kim Ramirez
  Audubon Fellow
Michael Rizo
  USDA Forest Service
Greg Stevens
  American Association of Museums
Fernando Villaba
  National Park Service

STUDY SITES
Bandelier National Monument
  New Mexico
Golden Gate Nat'l Recreation Area/Point Reyes Nat'l Seashore
  California
Fire Island National Seashore
  New York
North Cascades National Park
  Washington
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route
  New Jersey
Barr Lake State Park
  Colorado

CONTROL SITES
Great Sand Dunes National
Park & Preserve
  Colorado
Big Thicket National Preserve
  Texas
Big Cypress National Preserve
   Florida

CO-Principal Investigator
Carol Beidleman
  National Park Service, Park Flight 
  Migratory Bird Program


INTERN LIAISON

Mariamar Gutiļæ½rrez

PROJECT CONSULTANTS
Brett Bruyere
Marcella Wells



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Environment for the Americas' newest project is a 3-year study examining the barriers to participation in natural science programs by Latino/Hispanic audiences.  Using International Migratory Bird Day as the focus of the study, we are conducting community surveys at 6 sites across the U.S., monitoring attendance at IMBD events, and developing tools to help educators improve their outreach to this audience.  Thank you for your interest in our work!
 
Sincerely,
 
Susan Bonfield
Susan Bonfield
Environment for the Americas
Interns Begin Community Surveys
New Jersey, New York, and Colorado begin studies

two eggs, mix the sugar and pour it into the bowl Miguel... and yes of course I would like to attend to a nature educational program"  the main baker answer me...the whole census was like that, an instruction of how toBird tree bake and the answer of the survey...
fr
om the journal of Pablo Lobera, an intern from Mexico (at left), interviewing Latinos at a restaurant in NJ 

Conducting community surveys is no easy task, but the NPS Park Flight Migratory Bird Program international interns have tackled the job with perserverance, enthusiasm, and tenacity.  Surveys have been conducted in Cape May, NJ and are underway near parks in Patchogue, New York and Brighton, Colorado.  The questions on these surveys are designed to provide us with information about Latino communities, their interest in the natural sciences, the factors that influence decisions about their participation in public programs and events, and the heritage, language skills, education level, and economic status of respondents.  Surveys will begin soon near parks in Washington, California, and New Mexico.
 
Advisory Council
Advisory Council Meets

Project Review Conducted

According to at least two Advisory Council members, the June meeting was one of the best they had ever attended.  In a single day, members reviewed the project goals and objectives, methodology, and surveys.  Presentations were provided on all aspects of the study, including site selection, survey questions and terminology, and project evaluation.  Also present at the meeting were project consultants, investigators, the intern liaison, and a study site representative.  By day's end, participants were satisfied with the project's design.  Regular involvement by all, however, will be important to the project's success.

featured left to right:  Edwin Juarez, Brett Bruyere, Fernando Villalba, Marcella Wells, Kacie Ehrenberger, Kim Ramirez, Mariamar Gutierrez, Mike Rizo, Carol Beidleman, and Susan Bonfield.
Calendar of Events

August 2009:
Community surveys underway in Brighton, CO and Patchogue, NJ

September 2009:
Community surveys begin in Leavenworth, WA

September 12 2009:
Participation survey at Barr Lake State Park, CO

 
About Environment for the Americas

Environment for the Americas, home of International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), is a non-profit organization working to increase awareness of birds and their conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. We provide the framework and education materials for bird festivals and events, host a directory of bird education resources, offer bird workshops for educators, and motivate people of all ages to get outdoors to learn about birds. Find out more at www.birdday.org.

Environment for the Americas
Home of International Migratory Bird Day

2840 Iliff Street
Boulder, Colorado 80305
866.334.3330