This section provides information about outreach and education tools, as well as participatory science projects that engage the public in collecting information about birds. Many participatory science projects already exist, allowing land trusts to easily tap into online monitoring tools, link to volunteers already collecting information, or even access useful data within their service areas.
Project FeederWatchA November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America, Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada.
- Priority Breeding Bird Mapping Tool
Four regional interactive mapping tools that display eBird Status and Trends data with strategic land conservation data layers to facilitate strategic land conservation, inform habitat management plans, and help guide landowner outreach and engagement efforts, all through the lens of bird conservation.
- Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. We are a national not for profit organization with leadership networks around the country. With more than 100 leaders in 56 cities around the country, we connect thousands of people to nature experiences, who are changing the face of conservation.
- NestWatch
NestWatch is a nationwide nest-monitoring program used to study the current condition of breeding bird populations and how they may be changing over time as a result of climate change, habitat degradation and loss, expansion of urban areas, and the introduction of non-native plants and animals.
- NABCI Field Guide to Developing Partnerships
Developing mutually beneficial partnerships based on common or complementary goals requires commitment, flexibility, and a desire and capacity to listen and understand the needs, values and challenges of potential partners. This document provides guidance on how to find common goals, effectively reach out to potential partners, and develop lasting relationships that benefit all players.
- Merlin
Merlin is a free bird identification app for your smartphone, offering quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers to learn about North America and Europe’s common and rare birds.
- Macaulay Library
The Macaulay Library provides access to the world’s largest archive of wildlife sounds and videos, and allows users to search recordings by species for birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, and even fishes. Additionally, digital audio guides are available for download.
- Latino Outdoors
Latino Outdoors strives to inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.
- K-12 Education
The K-12 Education program provides innovative resources that build science skills while inspiring young people to connect to local habitats, explore biodiversity, and engage in participatory science projects through inquiry-based science curriculum and activities.
- Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a global, four-day event each February that invites people everywhere to count birds and share their observations online through eBird or the Merlin Bird ID app. Organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada, the GBBC provides a snapshot of late-winter bird populations across the world.
