The Bird Education Network (BEN) was created following
the February 2007 National Gathering, hosted by CEE. BEN is a
CEE initiative that seeks to create a network of bird
education professionals.
Bird educators must
"present a case for birds" - stressing the importance of
birds, bird-connections to a broader natural world, and our
roles through birds as stewards of our planet. Ultimately, BEN
seeks to connect bird educators at all levels to be more
effective.
A BEN Committee has been established
to provide advice and guidance for this important initiative,
to advance "bird conservation through education."
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Jekyll
Island Bird Educators' Gathering A
Success
The
BEN conference "Bird Conservation Through
Education: A National Gathering" took
place last week with an enthusiastic gathering of
bird education professionals in Jekyll Island,
Georgia. The impact, however, may go on for
some time. This landmark event was an overwhelming
success for all involved. Our wide-ranging network of
bird educators was well represented as 112
participants hailed from 30 U.S. states and four other
locations in the hemisphere. The fact that this
group could come together in tough economic times
was a testimony to a dedication to the important
education and conservation tasks at hand.
New
faces were exchanging ideas with some of the most well
known names in the birding and education field. Bird
educators from small nature centers to national
organizations to federal agencies were united in focused
discussions. Undoubtedly, future bird education and
conservation cooperative efforts were hatched at Jekyll
Island.
Beyond networking opportunities,
the National Gathering provided its audience with
relevant and insightful programs. The general sessions
with David Waller, Kenn & Kim Kaufman, Dwight
Cooley, Audrey Peterman, and Rick Bonney featured not
only informative content but also inspirational
messages. The diverse topics during each concurrent
session held something for everyone from scientific
concepts and program evaluations to marketing tips and
education strategies. All conferences attendees were
able to walk away with fresh ideas, intertwined with
important common messages about the joys of birding, the
critical role of education, and our shared
responsibility for conservation.
We look forward
to progressing - hopefully in a blending of individual
and collective projects - toward some common tasks, such
as work on "best practices," promoting our "success
stories," and increased efforts in the area of
communities of diversity.
Of course,
there is a long list of birding encounters that thrilled
the group - over 120 species! Bald Eagles, Wood Storks,
Pileated Woodpeckers, and Brown Pelicans were constant
sightings from the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The field
sessions wowed participants with the local flora and
fauna as seen from trails, beaches, and waterways. Many
thanks to Tim Keyes and Lydia Thompson in particular for
their expertise and assistance with southeastern
Georgia's natural areas and wildlife.
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 BEN Wants
Your Photos From Jekyll
Island
Got a great photo you'd like to share with us? We'd
love to see it!
The Bird Education Network will be assembling an
archive of all the great photographs conference guests
were able to capture during the National
Gathering. This includes photos of birds, guest
speakers, and of course those photos with all your new
friends!
Photos will then be placed online for everyone to
access. To send in your photos, please send an email
to geoffreycee@aol.com.
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 National Gathering
Presentations Available
Online- Coming
Soon
For
anyone who was unable to attend BEN's National Gathering
from February 22- 26, 2009 held in Jekyll Island,
presentations will soon be available online.
Conference presentations addressed a wide
range of topics including connecting children to
nature, reaching out to diverse audiences, youth
birding initiatives and
more.
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