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CONSERVATION - COMMUNITY - DIVERSITY EFTA coordinates the largest conservation-focused migratory bird event in the Western Hemisphere, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD). We offer a variety of educational programs as well as diversity internship programs. Learn more at www.environmentamericas.org
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Adolescents/Youth (13-19 years)
Adults
Ethnic/Racial Minorities
Families
General population
EFTA supports Plastic Pollution cleanups across the Western Hemisphere by providing a cleanup guide, gloves, trash bags, a scale, a USB drive loaded with instructions and materials, and cleanup data sheets. We also offer cleanup trainings at conservation and ornithological conferences. Your support provides the training and materials that make these cleanups possible.
In 2019, World Migratory Bird Day focuses on plastic pollution and promotes cleanups to help protect the migratory birds we share across the Western Hemisphere. We work with biologists, educators, and communities to support these cleanup activities. Visit our global event map at www.worldmigratorybirdday.org and our website at www.migratorybirdday.org for more information.
Education
Adolescents/Youth (13-19 years)
Children (4-12 years)
Teachers
Amigos Alados connects youth in Mexico and California in the study and conservation of the migratory birds that we share.
Between 2007 and 2019, Amigos Alados has grown from serving 80 children (four classes at two schools) to serving 858 children (35 classes in 15 schools) in California and Mexico. Along with its bilingual pen pal program, Amigos Alados delivers ornithology workshops and naturalist-led bird observation walks to participating classes. Teachers say that participating in the program leads their students to greater cultural and environmental awareness and appreciation. Students who have participated in the program in Mexico report that they urge family members to release caged wild birds and that they would never use slingshots to kill birds, which is a popular sport there. Amigos Alados students become advocates for birds and the environment in general.
Animal-Related
General population
Environment for the Americas coordinates research and education on declining populations of migratory hummingbirds. Rufous Hummingbird, an avian dynamo, travels from Alaska to Mexico, bombarding our feeders along the way. Populations of this spirited hummingbird, however, have been declining rapidly, and we're trying to learn why.
Through the Western Hummingbird Partnership, which EFTA coordinates, we have helped to fund research and education projects in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Our work has motivated hummingbird education programs, a study of the impacts of fire on hummingbirds, and an assessment of Rufous Hummingbird research.
Animal-Related
Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- Other Specified Group
Young Adults (20-25 years)
Adolescents/Youth (13-19 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
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 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. In the Western Hemisphere, WMBD 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
General Public/Unspecified
World 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
World 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.
WMBD 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.
