Migratory Bird Day - 2012
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International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is the focus of the Connecting Cultures study. In 2012, the program will share the results of the study in a celebration of diversity, IMBD's 20th Anniversary, and bird conservation.
Art by Rafael Lopez for EFTA |
| 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
INTERN LIAISON
Mariamar Gutiérrez
DIVERSITY OUTREACH
Natasha Kerr
PROJECT CONSULTANTS Brett Bruyere
Marcella Wells |
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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). Using International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) as the focus of the study, we have conducted community surveys at 6 sites across the U.S., monitoring attendance at IMBD events and developing tools to help educators improve their outreach. Now, 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 |
Latino Outreach Initiative Expands
EFTA is partnering with the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge to expand Latino outreach in San Jose, CA. Thanks to funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we are building on our work at state and national parks across the country. Our new effort focuses on hiring local Latino residents, providing them with training and experience in education, research, management, and improving outreach to nearby Latino communities. Cindy Moreno of San Jose, California is our newest intern. In addition to learning about the wildlife this spectacular refuge supports, she will work in local libraries, churches, schools, and other organizations to improve awareness of the refuge and participation in its education programs.
Cindy is a senior at San Jose State University, pursuing a B.S. in  | |
Cindy Moreno, EFTA & Don Edwards NWR 2012 intern
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Environmental Studies with a concentration in restoration and resource management. What draws her to environmental education and Latino outreach is her ability to relate to students of all backgrounds and abilities. Cindy is bilingual and wants to expand Latino outreach throughout California's South Bay and in her own community of Arvin, CA.
Many thanks to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for supporting this project!
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Washington Partners Continue Latino Outreach
 EFTA's partners in Washington are finding creative ways to continue their Latino outreach initiative after they have completed 3 years in the Connecting Cultures project. A team of biologists and educators from governmental and non-governmental organizations have formed Team Naturaleza! The mission of the Team mirrors EFTA's 3-year study to engage Latino communities in informal science education.
Organizers are working to raise funds to support a Latino liaison, Norma Gallegos (pictured above), of Wenatchee, Washington. They were recently awarded a Cornell Lab of Ornithology Urban Birds mini-grant. With this support, Norma will coordinate Latino outreach and programs at the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest. Team Naturaleza! will also sponsor a Dancing With Birds performance, bilingual marketing materials, a family picnic, and transportation to birding activities during the event.
Team Naturaleza! will also host Abriendo Caminos, a Spanish-language weeklong retreat in the remote mountains of Lake Chelan, WA. Our partners will lead birding field trips and other bird-themed educational programs to over 400 Latino campers. Way to go Team Naturaleza!
Check out the many education materials the group
has created to reach Latino communities. |
EFTA Seeks Conference Presenters
 In 2011, EFTA staff gave presentations about the Connecting Cultures project at the National Association for Interpretation, North American Association for Environmental Education, and the Focus on Diversity-Changing the Face of American Birding conferences. The results of our project are unique, and we presented to full audiences, receiving many requests for more information. The North American Association for Environmental Education will host its 2012 conference in Oakland, California from October 10-13. We have been asked to submit proposals to share more information about the project and are also proposing one or more sessions that would include multiple presenters. If you are doing diversity research or have programs that improve participation by diverse audiences and would like to participate, please contact Susan Bonfield at sbonfield@birdday.org. |
EFTA attends America's
Summit on National Parks
EFTA participated in America's Summit on National Parks on January 24-26 in Washington, D.C. During this conference, EFTA staff had the opportunity to share project results with National Park Service staff and many other non-profit organizations. |
Calendar of Events
February 2012
Intern begins outreach at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, CA study site.
March 2012
International intern will begin outreach at the FIre Island National Seashore, NY site.
Natasha Kerr will attend the National Science Foundation meeting for grant recipients.
April 21, 2012
Participation surveys will be conducted during Jr. Ranger Day at Fire Island National Seashore.
May 12, 2012
Participation surveys will be conducted during the Muir Woods National Monument International Migratory Bird Day event.
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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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