Audubon Society
ORMN Project Contact: Victoria Fortuna - victoria.fortuna(at)yahoo.com
Project Background
Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Audubon's programs use science to identify, assess, and monitor the most essential habitats in order to focus conservation efforts where they are most needed. Audubon is able to provide clear pictures of changes in bird abundance and distributions through space and time, enabling it to predict the impacts of climate change on particular species or habitats—and design conservation approaches that will mitigate them.
Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Audubon's programs use science to identify, assess, and monitor the most essential habitats in order to focus conservation efforts where they are most needed. Audubon is able to provide clear pictures of changes in bird abundance and distributions through space and time, enabling it to predict the impacts of climate change on particular species or habitats—and design conservation approaches that will mitigate them.
CS (Citizen Science) Activities with Audubon Society
Christmas Bird Counts
Background
Started 115 years ago, the Christmas Bird Count of the National Audubon Society is the nation’s longest-running citizen science bird project. Each Christmas Bird Count occurs for one day during the December 14 to January 5 count season. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. It's not just a species tally--all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day. There is a specific methodology to the CBC, and all participants must make arrangements to participate in advance with the circle compiler within an established circle, but anyone can participate. If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangements with the count compiler.
Started 115 years ago, the Christmas Bird Count of the National Audubon Society is the nation’s longest-running citizen science bird project. Each Christmas Bird Count occurs for one day during the December 14 to January 5 count season. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. It's not just a species tally--all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day. There is a specific methodology to the CBC, and all participants must make arrangements to participate in advance with the circle compiler within an established circle, but anyone can participate. If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangements with the count compiler.
Charlottesville Count
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler, Jennifer Gaden - jengaden(at)gmail.com
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler, Jennifer Gaden - jengaden(at)gmail.com
- Location: In and around Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Christmas Bird Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water.
- Special Requirements: Bring binoculars. Pre-registration with count compiler is required.
- Time Commitment: The count is held yearly on the first Sunday after December 14.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Gordonsville Count
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler, Buzz Van Santvoord - vansantvoord(at)verizon.net
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler, Buzz Van Santvoord - vansantvoord(at)verizon.net
- Location: In and around Gordonsville.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Christmas Bird Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water. A person using a walking cane could negotiate the terrain.
- Special Requirements: Bring binoculars. Pre-registration with count compiler is required.
- Time Commitment: 1 day per count, usually the 3rd Sunday in December.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Rappahannock County Count
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler and ORMN contact, Victoria Fortuna - victoria.fortuna(at)yahoo.com
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler and ORMN contact, Victoria Fortuna - victoria.fortuna(at)yahoo.com
- Location: In and around Rappahannock County.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Christmas Bird Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water.
- Special Requirements: Bring binoculars. Pre-registration with count compiler is required.
- Time Commitment: 1 day per count, check with compiler for date.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Shenandoah National Park Count
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler, Alan Williams - alanbwill(at)gmail.com
ORMN volunteers identify and count bird species within the defined count area. To participate in the count, pre-registration is required. Register at least 2 weeks in advance with count compiler, Alan Williams - alanbwill(at)gmail.com
- Location: In and around Luray area, including the Big Meadows area of SNP.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Christmas Bird Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. The ground is not likely to be steep but it may be rocky or marshy. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water.
- Special Requirements: Bring binoculars. Pre-registration with count compiler is required.
- Time Commitment: 1 day per count, usually the 3rd Sunday in December.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Climate Watch Bird Count
ORMN Project Contact: Victoria Fortuna - victoria.fortuna(at)yahoo.com
Background
The Audubon Society predicts that over half of North American bird species will lose more than 50% of their current climatic range by 2080, and launched Climate Watch to test these predictions. The project aims to document species' responses to climate change by having citizen scientists in the field look for birds where Audubon's climate models project they should be in the 2020's, which should provide an understanding on how birds respond to a changing climate.
Climate Watch observations occur over two 30-day periods each year, in the winter non-breeding season and the summer breeding season. They target specific species that have a high detectability in the field. Get more information and sign up as an observer at: https://www.audubon.org/news/how-join-climate-watch-community-science-program-audubon
Background
The Audubon Society predicts that over half of North American bird species will lose more than 50% of their current climatic range by 2080, and launched Climate Watch to test these predictions. The project aims to document species' responses to climate change by having citizen scientists in the field look for birds where Audubon's climate models project they should be in the 2020's, which should provide an understanding on how birds respond to a changing climate.
Climate Watch observations occur over two 30-day periods each year, in the winter non-breeding season and the summer breeding season. They target specific species that have a high detectability in the field. Get more information and sign up as an observer at: https://www.audubon.org/news/how-join-climate-watch-community-science-program-audubon
ORMN volunteers collect and report observations of target bird species during specific summer and winter periods.
- Location: In your local area.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Observations may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. The ground is not likely to be steep but it may be rocky or marshy. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water.
- Special Requirements: Binoculars.
- Time Commitment: Varies.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Firefly Watch
ORMN project contact: Bonnie Beers - bonbeers(at)gmail.com
Background
Researchers from Tufts University have teamed with the Massachusetts Audubon Society to learn more about fireflies. They seek to learn whether firefly populations are growing or shrinking, and what is leading to changes in their populations. With the help of citizen scientists around the country, researchers hope to learn about the geographic distribution of fireflies and what environmental factors could impact their abundance. For more information: https://www.massaudubon.org/get-involved/citizen-science/firefly-watch
ORMN volunteers participate in Firefly Watch by observing fireflies in one location, such as your backyard or a nearby field. You must commit to spending at least 10 minutes once a week on observations during firefly season and then reporting them.
Background
Researchers from Tufts University have teamed with the Massachusetts Audubon Society to learn more about fireflies. They seek to learn whether firefly populations are growing or shrinking, and what is leading to changes in their populations. With the help of citizen scientists around the country, researchers hope to learn about the geographic distribution of fireflies and what environmental factors could impact their abundance. For more information: https://www.massaudubon.org/get-involved/citizen-science/firefly-watch
ORMN volunteers participate in Firefly Watch by observing fireflies in one location, such as your backyard or a nearby field. You must commit to spending at least 10 minutes once a week on observations during firefly season and then reporting them.
- Location: The research can be done in your backyard or a field, anywhere fireflies are present.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: None.
- Special Requirements: Watch a 2-hour online training video and submit observations via an online portal.
- Time Commitment: A minimum of 10 minutes once a week during firefly season.
ED (Education) Activities with Audubon Society Northern Virginia
Audubon At Home Wildlife Sanctuary Program
ORMN project contact: Renee Kitt - 20pawskitt(at)gmail.com
Background
The Audubon At Home Wildlife Sanctuary program promotes citizen participation in conserving and restoring natural habitat by providing free on-site consultations with local homeowners on how to create habitat for biodiversity and wildlife on their property.
ORMN volunteers are trained to become Audubon At Home ambassadors, then make site visits and provide education and resources so homeowners can restore or create habitat in their own yards using native plants. For more information about the program see: https://www.audubonva.org/audubon-at-home
ORMN project contact: Renee Kitt - 20pawskitt(at)gmail.com
Background
The Audubon At Home Wildlife Sanctuary program promotes citizen participation in conserving and restoring natural habitat by providing free on-site consultations with local homeowners on how to create habitat for biodiversity and wildlife on their property.
ORMN volunteers are trained to become Audubon At Home ambassadors, then make site visits and provide education and resources so homeowners can restore or create habitat in their own yards using native plants. For more information about the program see: https://www.audubonva.org/audubon-at-home
- Location: Private properties in Fauquier and Rappahannock counties, but other counties in our region are also eligible for site visits if requested.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Volunteers must be able to walk a property.
- Special Requirements: Volunteers must be certified master naturalists and complete a 2-hour Audubon AAH training module.
- Time Commitment: Each site visit and writing a site report take approximately 3-4 hours.
ST (Stewardship) Activities with Audubon Society Northern Virginia
Audubon GIS Birdability Map
ORMN project contact: Linda Duncan - leaflin(at)comcast.net
Background
Audubon's GIS Birdability Map project aims to highlight the accessibility features of birding locations in order to expand awareness of, and access to, trails and natural areas for birding and citizen science activities. Volunteers learn about access considerations for birding locations and then survey and submit standardized accessibility assessments of public locations in our area. These assessments will be part of an online inventory of accessible locations for birding and CS activities for individuals with all levels of physical and sensory ability. Access begins with information and the accompanying map serves as a starting point for standardized information for users. The Birdability Map will also serve to encourage local and state developers of trails and naturals areas to evaluate their developments from an accessibility perspective, thereby broadening the audience for use, recreation, citizen science and stewardship activities.
ORMN volunteers use the Birdability Site Review Checklist to survey prospective birding locations and determine the degree of accessibility. After assessing a location, volunteers submit their findings to the Audubon GIS Birdability map.
ORMN project contact: Linda Duncan - leaflin(at)comcast.net
Background
Audubon's GIS Birdability Map project aims to highlight the accessibility features of birding locations in order to expand awareness of, and access to, trails and natural areas for birding and citizen science activities. Volunteers learn about access considerations for birding locations and then survey and submit standardized accessibility assessments of public locations in our area. These assessments will be part of an online inventory of accessible locations for birding and CS activities for individuals with all levels of physical and sensory ability. Access begins with information and the accompanying map serves as a starting point for standardized information for users. The Birdability Map will also serve to encourage local and state developers of trails and naturals areas to evaluate their developments from an accessibility perspective, thereby broadening the audience for use, recreation, citizen science and stewardship activities.
ORMN volunteers use the Birdability Site Review Checklist to survey prospective birding locations and determine the degree of accessibility. After assessing a location, volunteers submit their findings to the Audubon GIS Birdability map.
- Location: Any public place in Virginia that lends itself to observing birds and wildlife. This can include locations such as state, county and town parks, Shenandoah National Park, VDWR Birding and Wildlife Trails, Wildlife Management Areas and battlefields.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: May involve exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings.
- Special Requirements: Internet access to watch on-line training videos and become familiar with the Birdability Site Review Checklist; download or print site review checklists; submit completed site review checklists.
- Time Commitment: At the discretion of the volunteer