1. Building a New Approach to Bird Education “Bird Conservation through Education”

2. About the Bird Education Network (BEN) Why Birds? Towards A National Strategy Get Involved Contact Us COMMON NIGHTHAWK Jim Williams

3. 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 Network “Bird Conservation through Education” CEE

4. 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 Background “Bird Conservation through Education” Jim Williams AMERICAN KESTRAL

5. ~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 formed in late 2007: Jim Williams BLACK-NECKED STILT

6. BEN supports dynamic education to advance bird conservation action BEN is connecting bird educators at all levels to become more effective Through our cumulative efforts and shared vision, we can promote a societal trend toward effective bird stewardship “Bird Conservation through Education” The Network Kim Check NORTHERN CARDINAL

7. The creation of BEN provides educators working in the field of bird conservation with a variety of new tools and strategies they can employ to be more effective BEN brings clarity and direction to the mission of bird education and bird conservation At the heart of our bird conservation efforts is the goal of conserving and enhancing the environment for birds, wildlife in general, and for us, our children, and our grandchildren “Bird Conservation through Education” The Network Jim Williams SHORT-EARED OWL

8. 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 promote responsible, science-based action are highly desirable because: Paul Baicich TEXAS BIRDING FESTIVAL

9. 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” Ken Keffer ROYAL TERNS

10. Birds are… Beautiful Accessible Ever-present Emblematic International Part of our Heritage Popular! Why Birds? “Bird Conservation through Education” Jim Williams ROSEATE SPOONBILLS

11. 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 Education Strategy “Bird Conservation through Education” Jim Williams REDHEAD

12. 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 Education Strategy “Bird Conservation through Education” Ken Keffer OSPREY

13. Habitat Loss Fragmentation, urbanization, etc. Modern Industrial and Post- Industrial Life Collisions, pollutants, etc. Insufficient Public Awareness A bird illiterate society Insufficient Funding NGOs, Government, Research Inter-American Concerns Beyond the migration connection BEN’s 5 Core Conservation Concerns “Bird Conservation through Education” Kim Check HORSESHOE CRAB SUMMER TANAGER PROTHONATARY WARBLER

14. BEN’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 Check BIRD BANDING

15. 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 Jim Williams “Bird Conservation through Education” DUNLIN

16. BEN’s 16 Goals 5.Engage in spreading the word about holistic bird education 6. Broaden the content of scientific meetings to include bird education 7. Maintain network communications through websites, listservs, newsletters, etc. 8. Identify, fund, and create needed bird education resources “Bird Conservation through Education” Jim Williams BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER

17. BEN’s 16 Goals 9.Outline steps to maximize our reach in under-served minority populations 10.Initiate meetings, conferences, etc. to promote a Bird Education Strategy 11.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 Williams SHARP-TAILED GROUSE

18. BEN’s 16 Goals 13.Influence the existing Bird Conservation Plans to develop “best practice” education tools 14.Influence the existing Migratory Bird Joint Ventures to include education and outreach 15.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 Check SANDHILL CRANES

19. BEN’s 7 Initial Priorities Best Practices in Bird Education Promoting Success Stories Matching the Habitat Concerns with the Materials Partners in Flight (PIF) Needs Assessment Deeper Inter-American Connections Model Efforts for Communities of Diversity Funding “Bird Conservation through Education” Jim Williams LARK BUNTING

20. Get Involved Join the BEN listserv 500 participants and growing > 300 organizations involved “Bird Conservation through Education” Kim Check

21. Get Involved BEN Website www.birdeducation.org “Bird Conservation through Education”

22. Get Involved BEN Bulletin Launched June 2008 Sent +/- monthly Over 3,000 recipients “Bird Conservation through Education”

23. Get Involved Others ways to spread the word BEN Committee Banner Materials Meetings “Bird Conservation through Education”

24. 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”