BBO workshop to account for high school credits

The Beaverhill Bird Observatory (BBO) will be hosting the Geoff Holroyd Young Ornithologists’ wokshop for teens again this summer, from Aug. 5-11.

In its third year, the workshop teaches participants how and why bird populations are monitored, how to handle birds safely while extracting them from bird nets, basic bird identification and ageing techniques from plumage and song, bird banding, bird conservation issues, and other natural history topics, according to Helen Tefry of BBO.

“Up until now we haven’t had any applicants from the Tofield region despite it being a local program,” Tefry said. “However, there’s an added incentive this year and perhaps local youth will take this opportunity.”

Tefry said that for the first time, students from anywhere in Alberta can now apply for High School credits for participating in the workshop.

The credits will be facilitated by the Innovate Program run through the Edmonton Public School, which allows students to get credit for hands-on learning opportunities.

“Biology experts from various fields work side by side with the students as well as lead them on field trips which include butterfly identification, bird watching, canoeing, animal rehabilitation, raptors and falconry,” Tefry explained.

Read rest of the story in the July 4 Tofield Mercury edition.