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WESTERN LAKE ERIE MARSH REGION
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Ohio Young Birders Club
www.ohioyoungbirders.org

Update on the Ohio Young Birders Club, December 2007
It all began in May of 2006 when 6 young birders met with the staff from Black Swamp Bird Observatory, and volunteers from the Kirtland Bird Club at the Black Swamp Bird Observatory in Oak Harbor to discuss forming a club for young people with an interest in birds and nature. What they helped create was the Ohio Young Birders Club, a club for young people ages 12-18.  

These dynamic young people recognized that they would need the support of adults, so the structure of the club included adult advisors that would provide them with funding, birding expertise and transportation to birding locations. 

Well, that’s how it all began, and today, along with support from our partners, we have accomplished some pretty impressive things. Since our inception we’ve had 20 partnership sponsored field trips, conducted several important service projects, and established the John Gallagher Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Membership has steadily grown, and the club now boasts 82 student members, 76 adult supporting members, and 17 partnering organizations. Some of the highlights of what we accomplished in such a short time: 

  • Hosting our first annual conference that drew more than 80 participants. All of the presentations were given by young birders! Three OYBC members gave presentations and another served as the event’s MC! According to the ABA there has never been an event like this one!
     

  • Growing OYBC membership to 150+ members and winning the support of 17 organizations that have joined the team as OYBC partners!
     

  • Serving as a model program for organizations across the U.S. inspiring other states to launch their own clubs for young birders! New York, Florida, and Illinois have launched their own version of our YBC—and many other states have contacted us asking what we’re doing for young birders here in Ohio!
     

  • Arranging monthly field trips and/or service projects in a variety of locations around the State of Ohio, including many overnight campouts and all day events.
     

  • Conducting a Bioblitz at Crown Point Farm and Education Center, Bath, Ohio. More than 450 species of flora and fauna were found, identified, and catalogued.
     

  • Learning a lot about Ohio’s birds and environment and HAVING A LOT OF FUN, too!

We could not have accomplished this without the support of so many of you.  For two years in a row, OOS has offered an additional field trip on their symposium agendas and has awarded those proceeds to the OYBC, allowing us to offer trips to Illinois and Indiana to see Greater Prairie-Chickens and Sandhill Cranes. A trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is planned for this February! Our partners are developing field trips to some of Ohio’s best birding hotspots and richest natural areas, including: Middle Bass Island, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Green Lawn Cemetery, and Cedar Bog Nature Preserve. 

Many of you have supported us with your donations of time and money. We want to thank all of you; parents, partnering organizations, supporters, and the Ohio birding community, who have helped us in this effort and provided us with the resources to make this club a success.

Sometimes you just gotta go birding!

For more information visit www.ohioyoungbirders.org


Last updated on Tuesday, August 12, 2008

 

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Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 W. State Route 2
Oak Harbor,, Ohio 43449
419 898-4070
We are located at the entrance to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area