Bird by Bird
The Bird by Bird program connects young people with birds and the natural world through classroom-based lessons and activities, and bird feeding and monitoring activities. This birding and avian-conservation curriculum enhances health and well-being, fosters respect for wildlife and their habitats, and helps young people to develop responsible long-term environmental behaviors.
Each Bird by Bird school helps to install and maintain a bird feeding station where students can learn to identify and observe birds and collect community science data. The participating teachers work to incorporate birds and conservation into their curriculum while providing a library of bird identification and resource guides.
Bird by Bird Michigan is facilitated by passionate and knowledgeable Michigan Audubon volunteers and staff. Facilitators help teachers with curriculum, visit the classroom with lessons and activities, and provide support with student equipment training, bird/nature walks, and special projects.
No funds are required from participating schools. Michigan Audubon provides bird feeding equipment, bird seed, bird identification and resource guides, and all materials for facilitated lessons and activities.
Teacher requirements:
- Commit to a full school year in the program with 5-8 facilitator visits throughout the year
- Install and maintain bird feeding/watching equipment on school grounds
- Attend a beginning of the school year training meeting and an end of the year wrap up meeting
- Provide program feedback through a survey form
- Teach fifth grade – Michigan Audubon is only working with fifth-grade classrooms at this time
