Join BEN at Jekyll Island, Georgia!
The Second National Gathering: Bird Conservation through Education
22-26 February 2009
The Bird Education Network (BEN) Committee, Council for Environmental Education (CEE), and Flying WILD will host the 2009 National Gathering for bird educators at Jekyll Island, Georgia, “Bird Conservation through Education.” (Click here to download a copy of the registration packet.)
The very first National Gathering: Bird Conservation through Education, held in February 2007 in Austin, Texas, was such a great success that this 2009 follow-up event has been planned.
(For details on the 2007 Gathering click here.)
The Second National Gathering will be held at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel on Jekyll Island, located along the Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding Trail.
The event will start on the evening of Sunday, 22 February and end on the morning of Thursday, 26 February.
YOU’RE INVITED
The conference is open to anyone with an interest in bird education and conservation efforts, including directors, administrators, and educators from federal, state, and local government agencies, conservation organizations, zoos/aquariums, bird-related businesses, universities, K-12 schools, nature centers, Audubon centers, bird clubs, other NGOs, and related non-profit groups.
Guest Speakers: Throughout the conference there will be a diverse group of guest speakers, including Kenn and Kim Kaufman ("Working Toward a Bird Literate Society"), Audrey Peterman ( "Creating Dynamic Relationships with Diverse Audiences"), David Waller ("Lessons to Share on Bird Conservation, Wildlife Education Funding, and Building Coalitions"), and Donald and Lillian Stokes ("Reaching and Motivating the Public with Important Bird Messages").
Concurrent Sessions: An assortment of topics during three sets of Concurrent Sessions will consist of individual presentations or panel discussions. Sessions presently are expected to include such subjects as: connecting families to nature, urban-based bird education, climate change and birds, marketing your bird education program, evaluating bird education efforts, promoting best practices, Flying WILD advances, Inter-American bird education, and education/communications needs.
As the Concurrent Sessions develop, information will be posted here with details.
In addition, there will be two very important participatory programs where we can all share our bird education experiences and success stories:
Bird Education Round Robin: This will be a series of fifteen, short (five minute) presentations on unique bird education ideas, programs, or "tips & tricks." What has "worked" for you? You are asked to sign up on the Registration Form to request a slot for your Round Robin Sharing. There is limited space, but we want to hear from you!
Bird Educator's Share Fair: This will be an opportunity to showcase and share great things happening in bird education at your organization or in your community. Each project will be provided table space to describe its efforts to the circulating participants. Teachers, for example, will find an abundance of take-home ideas for incorporating birds into the classroom. Again, you can sign up on the Registration Form if you are willing to lead an idea-session during the Bird Educator's Share Fair.
As these two events approach capacity, information will be posted on this page with details.
Field Sessions: There are modest separate fees for each of the field sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. Check the Registration Packet for individual descriptions. Pre-registration is required. All field sessions will be available until spaces fill. All participants in these sessions should bring appropriated birding gear and clothing.
Registration Packet: For a Registration Packet you can click here, but below you will find a summary of the Gathering at a glance. Be aware that the packet has a Registration Form, and that the cost for the Gathering includes all meals beginning with Monday morning breakfast, on the 23rd, through Thursday morning breakfast, on the 26th. (Field Sessions costs for Tuesday and Wednesday are dealt with separately from the registration fee.) Early registration (before 15 December) will be $295 per person, $350 thereafter. (There are also daily registration fees for individuals, including an attractive special fee for classroom teachers on Wednesday, 22 February. See the Registration Packet for details.)
The tentative agenda will include:
Sunday, 22 February
Informal Bird Walks
Opening Reception
David Waller
Monday, 23 February
Morning Bird Walks
Breakfast Buffet
Welcome
Kenn & Kim Kaufman
Panel Discussion: Bird Education & the Hunting Community
Lunch
BEN Powerpoint
Concurrent Sessions (4 options)
Feeding Station
Bird Education Round Robin
Dinner
Entertainment
Tuesday, 24 February
Morning Bird Walks
Buffet Breakfast
Field Sessions (6 options)
Box Lunch
Audrey Peterman
Donald & Lillian Stokes
Concurrent Sessions (3-4 options)
Dinner
Silent Auction & Poster Session
Wednesday, 25 February
Morning Bird Walks
Breakfast Buffet
Fundraising Panel Opportunities & Success Stories
National Wildlife Refuges: Creating Birder-friendly Sites
Concurrent Sessions (3-4 options)
Bird Educator’s Share Fair
Lunch
Field Sessions (7 options)
Networking opportunities
Dinner – Low Country Seafood Boil
Thursday, 26 February
Morning Bird Walks
Buffet Breakfast
Departure
Flying WILD City Partners will find a special pre-conference training event (on Saturday February 21st) designed to enhance local efforts with Flying WILD.
AIR TRANSPORTATION
The closest airports are in Jacksonville, FL, one hour south, and in Savannah, GA, one and a half hours north. Major airlines service both airports, with Jacksonville the preferred stop for our Gathering. Options on transportation from the airports to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel can be found in the Registration Packet.
LODGING AT THE JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB HOTEL
Lodging rates at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel are $119 for single and $140 for double rooms. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. More details on the facilities can be found by clicking here.
The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is now accepting reservations for the National Gathering. To make your reservation please call the Jekyll Island Club Hotel at (800) 535-9547. Be sure to use our Group Number, #3208 and reference the Council for Environmental Education.
SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS
For information regarding sponsorship opportunities click here or to download our donation form click here.
Participants are asked to contribute items for the Silent Auction on Tuesday night. Details are to be found on the Registration Form.
THANKYOU TO ALL OF OUR EARLY CONFERENCE SPONSORS!
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- National Wildlife Refuge System
- Kaytee Avian Foundation
- Environmental Education and Training Partnership
- Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc.
- Barbara Price, CEE President
- Georgia Ornithological Society
Other conference specifics will be updated on this page as the information becomes available.
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