Sign up now for Georgia's 2010 Youth Birding Competition

Submitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Registration has opened for this year’s Youth Birding Competition, a statewide event that blends fun, challenge and conservation.

The fifth annual competition is April 23-24, with a banquet and awards ceremony scheduled the evening of April 24 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Mansfield. Participants can begin registering teams from kindergarteners to high school seniors today for free pre-competition birding programs, workshops and other training events. The Youth Birding Competition is also free! The deadline to register is March 31.

This bird-a-thon and conservation fundraiser is based on the World Series of Birding event in Cape May, N.J., and sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division and The Environmental Resources Network Inc., or T.E.R.N.

Participation in the Youth Birding Competition has grown each year. About 140 young birders ages 4 to 18 took part in 2009. They saw or heard more than 200 bird species, and raised more than $1,200 for conservation.

Competition coordinator Tim Keyes, a wildlife biologist with Wildlife Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section, said the short-term goal is getting children outside and focused on birds and wildlife. The long-term goal? Cultivating a deep interest in wildlife and wildlife conservation.

After four years and watching a core group participate each year, Keyes said it is clear the theme is taking root. “Some of the teams have done some really significant fundraising for conservation (organizations), in the state and out,” he said.

The competition is open to teams ranging in age from kindergarten to high school (participants compete against other teams their age, in four age divisions). Fundraising is a voluntary component. Teams can raise money to support their chosen organization on a per-bird or lump sum basis.

Youth who take part can be experienced birders or first-timers. Because there is much more to birds than simply listing them, organizers added a bird journal feature in 2009 and will continue that activity this year. Participants can turn in a journal that includes sketches and observations about their experiences with Georgia’s birds. Keyes said there is no better way to learn about birds, their habits, habitats and identification than to carefully observe draw and write about them.

To also help youth learn the birds of Georgia, pre-registered teams are paired with experienced birding mentors to meet throughout the year and take part in birding programs, workshops and other bird-related events, such as Flying Wild curriculum, Backyard Bird Counts and Christmas Bird Counts. By organizing and registering teams now, this program helps participants develop the knowledge they need to succeed in the competition.

The competition starts at 5 p.m. Friday, April 23, and ends at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 24. Groups can use as much or as little of that time to count as many birds as possible throughout Georgia. Although teams may start birding anywhere in the state, they must arrive at the “finish line” at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center by 5 p.m. Saturday.

While judges examine and score the final checklists, the participants will enjoy a live animal show followed by an awards banquet with prizes including new binoculars for the grand-prize winning team.

The Youth Birding Competition T-shirt Art Contest, started in 2008, is also offered this year. The art contest is open to Georgia residents in pre-K through high school. The grand-prize winner will receive a $100 Michaels gift card and their artwork will be featured on the 2010 Youth Birding Competition T-shirt. Other participants may win $50 Michaels gift cards to redeem for art supplies.

For details on the T-shirt Art Contest, visit the Wildlife Resource Division’s Web site at www.georgiawildlife.com (search for “2010 YBC T-shirt Art Contest”) or contact Linda May, (770) 918- 6792 or linda.may@dnr.state.ga.us.

For more information about registering for the Youth Birding Competition, check out the event links at www.georgiawildlife.com or contact Lacy Mitchell at Charlie Elliott Conference Center, (770) 784-3152 or lacy.mitchell@dnr.state.ga.us. Tim Keyes, at (912) 262-3191 or tim.keyes@dnr.state.ga.us, can answer questions about the competition.

2010 Youth Birding Competition

** What: Free bird-a-thon and fundraiser for youth from kindergarten through high school.

** When: April 23-24. Registration is open. Deadline to enter: March 31.

** Where: Teams can bird anywhere in the state, but must arrive at the finish line at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield by 5 p.m. April 24.

** T-shirt Art Contest: Deadline to enter is March 8. Details at www.georgiawildlife.com (search for “2010 YBC T-shirt Art Contest”) or from Linda May, (770) 918-6792 or linda.may@dnr.state.ga.us.

** Registration: Lacy Mitchell, Charlie Elliott Conference Center, (770) 784-3152 or lacy.mitchell@dnr.state.ga.us

** Competition contact: Tim Keyes, (912) 262-3191 or tim.keyes@dnr.state.ga.us

** Online: www.georgiawildlife.com (search for “2010 YBC Competition”)