SOLD OUT Basics of Birdwatching & the Great Backyard Bird Count

Resource person: Jess Henry, Ault Education & Family Programs Manager - learn@vandusen.org

Location: Guides Classroom Courtyard - VanDusen Botanical Garden

Description:

Bring the whole family and learn how to get involved in taking action to help support wild birds! The Great Backyard Bird Count brings thousands of bird lovers together around the globe to help scientist count local bird populations before the massive spring migration begins. By helping to count numbers of birds we find in our own backyards and local green spaces (like VanDusen!), scientists around the world can look at the data collected by citizen scientists, like you, to better understand how resident and migratory bird populations are faring, using this data to find ways to create solutions to the many challenges facing wild birds today.

Join us on Saturday February 19th at VanDusen Botanical Garden to participate as a citizen scientist in this fun and impactful global initiative. We’ll start the day with an introduction to birdwatching, learn the basics of bird identification, explore how to be a citizen scientist, and practice our skills as a group before heading out to the garden for a 15-minute observation session to count the birds in our area, and entering the data into the Great Backyard Bird Count via the eBird app. 

Don’t know a sparrow from a Towee, a Bushtit from a Kinglet? Never fear—this program is aimed at  new and aspiring birdwatchers, from young to old. Best suited to children ages 5 and up (parent/caregiver discretion), as we will be standing quietly for 15 minute focused observation session.

Registration includes admission to the garden, and families are encouraged to explore the garden after the program.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an inter-organizational effort between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada. Check out their website for more information about their programs! https://www.birdcount.org/

Available: Full

Price: $15.00 Taxes not included

Required age: 5+ on the day of the activity

Notes: Children must be accompanied by an adult for this program. Supervision of children is the responsibility of the parent or caregiver at all times. Each adult & child must purchase registration in the program. Please dress everyone in your group for the weather as this is an outdoor program and will run rain or shine. Cancellation policy: No refunds will be given for education courses. All requests for cancellations must be made in writing. For cancellations with one week's notice, a credit will be applied to your account. Less than a week's notice, no credit will be given. No new credit will be issued if the cancelled course was purchased using prior credit. Program cancellation by the VBGA due to Public Health Restrictions will result in education program credit equivalent to the value lost. Please notify us of your cancellation in writing to learn@vandusen.org COVID Protocol: • All in-person education program participants are required to be fully vaccinated. Children under 12 are exempt. You will be asked to provide the BC Vaccine Card for entrance into the program. • Masks are required to be worn when indoors. • Guests 5 years and above must wear a mask when entering the Visitor Centre, including the classroom and library • Programs with indoor classroom activities will have limited class sizes, to help us maintain safe spacing for instructors and participants. • For the safety of everyone, please do not come to the Garden if you or any member of your group are showing symptoms associated with Covid-19.

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