E N V I R O N M E N T F O R T H E A M E R I C A S

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• The Bird Education Resource Directory, a searchable online database of bird-focused opportunities and education materials

ENGAGES AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES IN BIRD CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS, THROUGH:

• Over 450 events and festivals hosted annually

• Education materials used throughout the year by camps, scout groups, schools and bird clubs

RESEARCHES THE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCE EDUCATION BY LATINO AUDIENCES, VIA:

• Collaborations that reach educators in nine states

• A monthly newsletter, Connecting Cultures, describing our work and results

W H AT D O E S E N V I R O N M E N T F O R T H E A M E R I C A S D O ?

MOTIVATES CONSERVATION ACTION THROUGH INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY, WITH:

• A venue for fundraising

• Public involvement in habitat restoration

• Research on spring migration in birds

• Education about conservation issues

PROVIDES ORIGINAL BIRD CONSERVATION EDUCATION MATERIALS, INCLUDING:

• Downloadable materials on the web

• Conservation-based publications

• A monthly newsletter, News from the Flyway, reaching biologists and educators from Canada to Colombia

• Materials in Spanish to reach diverse audiences

H O M E O F I N T E R N AT I O N A L M I G R AT O R Y B I R D D AY

Volunteers and attendees young and old take part in International Migratory Bird Day Celebrations in 2010.

C O N S E R V I N G B I R D S B Y C O N N E C T I N G P E O P L E

©EFTA©EFTA©EFTA

E N V I R O N M E N T F O R T H E A M E R I C A S 2

In 2008, Environment for the Americas (EFTA) was founded to serve as the home of International Migratory Bird Day and to support bird conservation education throughout the Western Hemisphere. In just two years, the non-profit organization has grown significantly, increasing its outreach, projects, and staff.

EFTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nancy Millar McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of Convention and Visitors Bureau

Russ Greenberg Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Center Head

Rodrigo Migoya Niños y Crias, Executive Director

Ian Davidson Executive Director, Nature Canada

Kenn Kaufman Author, Artist, Naturalist and Conservationist

As we work to support the increase in requests for IMBD materials and to research how to better reach diverse audiences, the EFTA staff has grown.

EFTA STAFF

Susan Bonfield, DirectorNatasha Kerr, Diversity Outreach CoordinatorHilary Chapman, Education AssistantCourtney Carlson, Office Assistant

E N V I R O N M E N T F O R T H E A M E R I C A S

In 2009, EFTA redesigned its website:

• The EFTA website has a brighter, cleaner look, and our many activities are easier to find.

• The Bird Educator’s Resource Directory has been redesigned to increase the ease of finding and submitting education materials about birds and bird conservation.

• EFTA received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation in 2009 to study the barriers to Latino participation in informal science education.

In fall 2010, EFTA’s pre-proposal to the National Science Foundation for Celebra los Colibries, a citizen science program about hummingbirds that will be developed for Latino audiences, was recommended for submission of a full proposal.

EFTA moved its operations to a new office in downtown Boulder, Colorado.

EFTA played a lead role in creating the Bird Education Alliance for Conservation (BEAC) by providing special support to help launch the group:

• Led development of the first BEAC Strategic Plan;• Provided financial support for BEAC logo design;• Maintained the BEAC website;• Managed the BEAC listserv.

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We will celebrate the IMBD theme: Go Wild, Go Birding!

EFTA will develop the first national walk-a-thon for wildlife conservation. Walk on the Wild Side will be piloted at five sites in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

IMBD will focus on engaging new audiences in birds, birdwatching, and bird conservation.

Artist John Muir Laws will create the art featured on IMBD educational and promotional materials.

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“EFTA’s work is solid. The team and its collaborators are well qualified and capable.”

– National Science Foundation Pre-Proposal Reviewer

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E N V I R O N M E N T F O R T H E A M E R I C A S 3

The number of IMBD events continues to rise. In 2009 and 2010, more than 450 celebrations were registered each year – a 23% growth from 2008.

Requests for IMBD materials increased 30% in 2010, due to growth in our outreach, an improved website, and higher-quality education materials.

Subscription to News from the Flyway, our monthly e-newsletter, grew 50% to over 3,300 recipients.

EFTA was a sponsor in the development of the Migratory Bird Coloring Book, created by the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds. The Book was distributed to organizations throughout the Caribbean that hosted IMBD events. The publication is also available for purchase through EFTA.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L M I G R AT O R Y B I R D D AY

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EFTA played a significant role in the 20th Anniversary of Partners in Flight. The 2010 IMBD theme, The Power of Partnerships in Bird Conservation, shared PIF’s efforts over the years and featured 20 bird species that have benefitted from conservation partnerships. EFTA also assisted with the development of PIF Anniversary materials, including a 20th Anniversary pin. The IMBD art was featured in a video celebrating the anniversary produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

EFTA hosted its annual Recognition of Sponsors in Washington, D.C., at the National Zoo. The PIF 20th Anniversary and the launch of the publication, The Tri-National Vision: Saving Our Shared Birds, were highlighted with presentations by representatives from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.

We asked our participants whether to shorten the title of International Migratory Bird Day. The overwhelming reply was to keep it, with three reasons cited most often:

• All four words create an accurate description.• Birds are beyond boundaries; “International” is key.• The title is well established, with brand recognition.

2010

2008

450

350

IMBD CELEBRATIONS

2010

2008

3,300

1,650

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS

Don’t change the title

Change the title

79%

30%

SURVEY RESULTS4

TITLE SPONSORS

PROGRAM SPONSORS

PARTNERS

M A K I N G I T A L L P O S S I B L E

International Migratory Bird Day is supported by its sponsors, donations, and the sales of bird education materials. These funds help us develop and distribute multi-language education materials and provide year-round support to educators in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

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Laila Yunes Jiménez (left) and Andrés Felipe Peña Monroy (right) share their enthusiasm for birds with a young visitor to Bandelier National Monument. Both Laila and Andrés were National Park Service Park Flight Migratory Bird Program interns who helped with the NSF project. The young visitor sports a temporary bird tattoo.

Environment for the Americas 2129 13th Street, Suite I, Boulder, CO 80302 phone: 303.499.1950 fax: 303.499.9567

Find us online at: www.birdday.org

Email us at: bday@birdday.org

In 2009, EFTA received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to examine the barriers to participation in informal science education programs by Latino audiences. Using IMBD events and locations as the study sites, we have accomplished the following:

• Established a six-member Advisory Council to review project activities;

• Implemented research at nine sites across the U.S.: Bandelier National Monument, NM; Golden Gate National Recreation Area/Point Reyes National Seashore, CA; Fire Island National Seashore, NY; North Cascades National Park, WA; New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route, NJ; Barr Lake State Park, CO; Great Sand Dunes National Monument, CO; Big Thicket National Preserve, TX; Big Cypress National Preserve, FL;

• Conducted almost 1,000 face-to-face surveys with Latino community members;

• Conducted surveys at six study sites to evaluate participation in IMBD events by ethnicity;

• Begun working with event coordinators to improve outreach to Latino communities;

• Created an e-newsletter, Connecting Cultures, to keep project partners and others interested in improving diversity in their programs appraised of research results.

Collaborated with project partners at Barr Lake State Park, Colorado State University, National Park Service Park Flight Migratory Bird Program, New Jersey Audubon Society, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, and Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.

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Bird banding stations introduce IMBD attendees to birds up-close.©Carol Beidleman

37%

17%

45%OTHER

PUERTO RICO

MEXICO

EFTA’s research will help determine if country of origin plays a role in determining participation by Latinos in science education programs. In Cape May, New Jersey, Latino community members are primarily from Puerto Rico and Mexico.

LATINO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN CAPE MAY

“...we fell in love with this project and we really enjoyed every moment... This is such a great project and such a great opportunity to learn a lot about

birds, environmental education and culture...”– Laila Yunes Jiménez, National Park Service Intern

©EFTA