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Project Participants
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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 Guti�rrez
PROJECT CONSULTANTS
Brett Bruyere
Marcella Wells
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Environment for the Americas (EFTA) is examining the barriers to participation in natural science programs by Latino/Hispanic audiences in a 3-year project funded by the National Science Foundation. In 2009, using International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) as the focus of the study, we conducted community surveys at 6 sites across the U.S., monitoring attendance at IMBD events and developing tools to help educators improve their outreach. In 2010, we are working with event organizers to implement the recommendations of survey respondents to improve outreach to Latino/Hispanich communities. Thanks for your interest in our work!
Sincerely,
Susan Bonfield
Environment for the Americas
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Outreach flyer for International Migratory Bird Day at Muir Woods National Monument  | Surveys conducted at study and
control sites
EFTA staff have been on the road, visiting International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) events at study and control sites. Participation surveys, short surveys that provide information about how far individuals travel to events, their ethnicity, and the number of people in their group, were conducted at the Leavenworth Bird Fest in Washington, and at events at Muir Woods National Park in California, Fire Island National Seashore in New York, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado, Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, and Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida.
Participation surveys are conducted each year to determine if our efforts to improve outreach to Latino communities increases participation in education programs and events.
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Outreach Begins in Cape May, NJ
Upcoming Event Promoted in Latino Communities
Survey sites included the Spanish Catholic Center, the Cape May Zoo, and local businesses.  |
Natasha Kerr, EFTA's Diversity Outreach Coordinator, traveled to Cape May, NJ where she spent five days conducting surveys with Latinos. The results of her work have provided us with a picture of Latino communities within the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route.
More than 80% of survey respondents are first or second generation residents in the U.S. and 57% are from Puerto Rico. As a result, there is a strong preference for programs offered in Spanish and led by a Latino. Participants also indicated that they are unaware of the many programs offered by New Jersey Audubon, but that they have a strong interest in programs about science and nature. We also acquired many recommendations about the media used by community members to learn about programs, such as area Spanish-language newspapers.
Taking these results, we are now working to implement changes to NJ Audubon's annual IMBD event. New to outreach efforts this year are ads in local Spanish-language newspapers, such as La Voz, and event flyers distributed at schools, churches, and parks in Latino communities. EFTA staff will also be talking with individuals to invite them to the event. On June 19, we'll conduct participation surveys to examine the results of these efforts.
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Calendar of Events
June 2010:
June 12 ~ Participation surveys during Jr. Ranger Day at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado.
June 19 ~ NJ Audubon hosts International Migratory Bird Day in Cape May. Participation surveys will be conducted.
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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
2129 13th Street, Suite I
Boulder, Colorado 80302
866.334.3330
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