|
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 Gutiérrez
DIVERSITY OUTREACH
Natasha Kerr
PROJECT CONSULTANTS
Brett Bruyere
Marcella Wells
|
|
|
|
Environment for the Americas (EFTA) is examining the barriers to participation in informal science education by Latino/Hispanic audiences in a 3-year project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). 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 2011, we are working with event organizers to implement the recommendations of survey respondents to improve outreach to Latino/Hispanic communities. Thank you for your interest!
Sincerely, Susan Bonfield
Environment for the Americas |
Daniela Salvatierra (r) works
with NPS Ranger/Interpreter Kelli English to reach Latino communities in the San Francisco Bay area.
Meet the 2011 Interns
The 2011 National Park Service Park Flight interns hailed from Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Bolivia. Each worked hard at project study sites to improve community awareness of national parks and the education programs and events within these parks. Their outreach included providing programs at local schools and community centers, leading programs for Latino youth and families in the parks, working with community leaders, and providing information via media, including radio, television, and newspaper. Learn more about the accomplishments this spring and listen to a live interview with Daniela Salvatierra about International Migratory Bird Day in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (see link on right side). Many thanks to the 2011 interns! North Cascades National Park: Carlos Gonzalez, Mexico New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail: Sara Ocasio, Puerto Rico, U.S. Fire Island National Seashore: Veronica Pacheco, Venezuela Point Reyes National Seashore/Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Daniela Salvatierra, Bolivia |
New Mexico Fires Postpone Project
Fires shut down Bandelier National Monument
As the fires in New Mexico approached Bandelier National
 | |
Fires affect Bandelier National
Monument and project efforts.
|
Monument, Park Flight Migratory Bird Program interns from Argentina and Peru were packing their bags to join the project. Once in New Mexico, their goal was to follow-up on the efforts of Laila Yunes and Andres Peña, the 2010 interns, by reaching out to Latino communities in the nearby town of Española.
As the fires entered the park, however project coordinators and park staff worked together to make the difficult decision to delay efforts until 2012. Over 50% of the park was affected, and most areas will remain closed for the foreseeable future. With this uncertainty, the interns unpacked their bags with the promise that their positions would be held until next year.
From 2009 to 2010, our work with Bandelier National Monument and Latino communities in the nearby town of Española and the more distant cities of Santa Fe and Albuquerque have been extremely successful. Latino participation in the fall nature festival increased from 4.8% in 2009 to 31.6% in 2010. |
Advisory Council Highlight
Mike Rizo, Program Specialist, USDA Forest Service Advisory council members take part in regular conference calls and attend annual meetings to review the progress of this study. Council member Mike Rizo goes above and beyond his official responsibilities to review outreach materials and even incorporate education about birds in his own work. Mike was drawn to the NSF project because he works to connect the science world with communities, with a focus on encouraging Latinos to participate in nature-based activities. This spring, Mike worked with Chicago's El Valor Center and other organizations to introduce Latino families to birds. The outreach culminated in a bird parade, with children dressed as birds (see more great photos).
 Mike's enthusiasm and knowledge have been helpful to the project, and as he states, the results of the study will benefit the US Forest Service and other agencies. I am impressed with the caliber of the EFTA staff, members of the advisory committee, and Park Flight Migratory Bird Program interns. Besides contributing my experiences to the project, I have learned immensely from their diverse experiences. The results of this work are directly applicable to USFS outreach with diverse audiences not only in the US, but in other countries.
|
Calendar of Events
August 31, 2011
Carlos Gonzalez returns home to Sonora, Mexico after a successful internship in North Cascades National Park
September 10, 2011
Barr Lake Bird Fest hosted at Barr Lake State Park September 17, 2011 University of Colorado Museum of Natural History pilots a family day with outreach to Latino communities September 22, 2011 Project partners meeting Boulder, CO September 23, 2011 Project Advisory Council meets in Boulder, 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
2129 13th Street, Suite I
Boulder, Colorado 80302
866.334.3330
|
|
