Conservation - Community - Diversity. EFTA coordinates the largest migratory bird event in the Western Hemisphere, International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), which engages youth and adults about migratory birds, the threats to their populations, and ways to take action to protect them. EFTA brings communities together for conservation and introduces diverse youth and adults from Canada to Argentina and the Caribbean to nature, science, and conservation. Learn more at environmentamericas.org
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Adults
Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
Children birth to age 3
Hispanics
Longmont Inspire connects youth and their families to nature and outdoor recreation in Longmont, Colorado. Fishing, birdwatching, kayaking, and an introduction to camping are just a few of the activities, and most of the children have had little or no opportunity to learn these outdoor skills. Our programs provide new opportunities to ensure that the next generation enjoys and conserves our public lands.
This program has reached a growing number of youth and their families in a 2016 summer pilot. In addition, EFTA has conducted over 200 surveys with Latino adults to examine the barriers to their participation in outdoor recreation and nature-based activities.
Animal-Related
Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- Other Specified Group
Young Adults (20-25 years)
Gaining skills in bird research, community education, collaboration, and more is critical to the next generation of conservationists. EFTA coordinates internship opportunities that provide these skills, with a focus on underserved youth. Our participants participate in 10 week to 5 month internships, gathering data on shorebirds, hummingbirds, and more at sites across the United States. Our training programs provide them with career-building skills that will launch them into careers in natural resources, research, environmental education, and more.
Evidence of success is identified, as described, by the interns' continuation in the field of natural resources or other focus identified during their internship, by their pursuit of a graduate degree, and/or by their continued employment in similar fields.
Environment
Adults
Children ages 5 to 21
Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- Other Specified Group
International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is the largest hemispheric celebration of migratory birds, focusing on the spectacular journeys birds make, the threats they face, and how everyone can help to protect them. (IMBD is hosted at more than 700 sites from Canada to Argentina and the Caribbean. It engages hundreds of thousands of youth and adults in bird walks, presentations, habitat restoration projects, and much more.
Evidence of program success is illustrated by the continued growth in participation, both on the part of host organizations and by community members.
Environment
Children and Youth (infants - 19 years)
Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- Other Specified Group
Hispanics
Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees
Longmont, Colorado has the largest Latino community in Boulder County, Colorado. Environment for the Americas is one of 19 organizations that has received support from Great Outdoors Colorado to connect underserved youth to nature. Through the Inspire Initiative, EFTA will work to develop a program that may be integrated into the fabric of Longmont's activities from birth to adult. We will work with early childhood centers, schools, Latino-serving organizations, the city, and others to develop and implement nature-based activities that take place in Longmont and beyond.
Evidence of success will include the successful adaptation of programs to incorporate nature-based activities at daycare centers, YMCAs, the City of Longmont's Youth and Family Services, Hispanic serving organizations and more. Program success will also be determined by Great Outdoors Colorado interest in supporting the program in 2017 and beyond.
Environment
General Public/Unspecified
International Migratory Bird Day mini-grants provide education materials to groups that do not have sufficient funds. In 2012, grants were awarded to 12 organizations across the Western Hemisphere, including the U.S., Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. Education booklets in English and Spanish were used at youth education programs and conservation bookmarks provided a focus to presentations and a way to motivate bird conservation in communities.
In 2012, 12 new groups participated in International Migratory Bird Day and/or hosted education programs that focused on migratory bird conservation.
Environment
Ethnic/Racial Minorities - General
Families
General Public/Unspecified
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged/Indigent
Wildlife Enthusiasts
International Migratory Bird Day is EFTA's keystone international program and also our premier local conservation program. This project engages the public in learning about nature in Boulder County, with a focus on birds and the habitats they need to survive. Community participation has resulted in thousands of dollars raised to support habitat restoration projects at Walden Ponds, a premier site for nesting and migrating birds.
IMBD has benefited habitat restoration efforts in Boulder County, including the planting of cottonwoods, willows, and other plants in Walden Ponds since 2010. The program is gaining attention, and we have been approached by other organizations seeking to restore habitat on their lands.
Youth Development
Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- Other Specified Group
Connecting Cultures works to engage Latino families in public education programs at natural areas and to study the barriers to participation in public science education programs and visitation to natural areas by this audience. EFTA works with natural areas across the United States, including wildlife refuges and national parks.
In Boulder County, EFTA has worked with partners to engage Latino participants in STEM programs. Our results show that we doubled participation by this audience in Saturday programs at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History Family Day programs. We have also successfully employed and trained local Latino youth who are now in positions at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, and other natural resource organizations.
