Adding to the ever-growing list of Young Birders Clubs across the country is the new Young Birders Club of Wisconsin. Started by Ryan Treves and sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society and the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, this club aims to connect young birders grades 5-12 at meetings, field trips, and activities across the state.
Young Birders Clubs are great opportunities for students to socialize with other birders their age, learn about future career paths, and have fun birding in new places.
The Young Birders Network, linked through the eBird website, aims to provide resources for young birders to connect and learn, while giving their adult advocates resources to encourage and support. The network is coordinated by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and includes dozens of partners.
If you are interested in joining the Wisconsin club, please contact Ryan Treves at ryantreves@gmail.com
Here is the club's official announcement, shared via eBird and Facebook:
"The birdwatching community might appear dominated by adult experts and mature naturalists. However, there is a less visible but equally important demographic hidden out there: teenage birders. We are the future of birding in Wisconsin. Did you know that Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio all have active youth birding clubs? Now is the time to join the Young Birders Club of Wisconsin.
"The YBC of Wisconsin is intended to be non-profit and free, welcoming all experience levels. Our goal is to hold meetings 3-4 times a year in various locations around Wisconsin, to offer members a chance to socialize, learn, and plan trips.
The YBC of Wisconsin might also conduct projects, such as volunteering for Audubon chapters, the Christmas Bird Count, Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas II, and the Great Wisconsin Birdathon. The Club is always open to new ideas!
This announcement is not only for teens! Adults, if you know any young bird enthusiasts, please talk to them about this!"
Thanks to the Birding Wire for this press release about the newly-formed Young Birding Club of Wisconsin! Stay tuned for more information and updates about this exciting new club.
