Urban Hummingbird Project

In partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Phoenix and Audubon Arizona^[1] launched a new outreach program called the Urban Hummingbird Program that I was hired to manage.  Objectives of this program were to educate elementary school children about central Arizona’s hummingbirds.  Students would learn how to identify common species and discover natural history facts that make hummingbirds so amazing.  Additionally, kids were educated how to help these magnificent birds by planting native plants and by participating in a kid-friendly citizen-science monitoring program.

I helped Audubon Arizona meet these program objectives by managing and continuing to develop and fine tune the in-class presentation and materials; including a power point show, workbook and hummingbird migration game.  Classes would receive a free “Arizona Hummingbird Box” containing a hummingbird feeder, an attractive hummingbird identification wheel, pencils and directions for collecting and submitting classroom hummingbird observations to the National Phenology Network^[2], a national database that tracks animal migration timing and other natural events. The program was a success; goals were set to connect with 300 students that I surpassed by reaching close to 3,000. Not only were the teachers and students enthusiastic about what the program offered, the Urban Hummingbird Program was also recognized with a Merit Award by Valley Forward for Environmental Education Excellence in 2012, which I chosen to receive on behalf of Audubon Arizona.  I’ve included a referral letter from lead teacher/naturalist about my work ethic and accomplishments while working alongside her.^[3]

During my work at Audubon Arizona’s Nina Mason Pulliam center, I lead nature walks, developed summer, winter and spring break programs as well as traveled to libraries and museums giving presentations and sharing my enthusiasm for birds and the environment with the public. I believe this opportunity opened my eyes to the world of education and my love of sharing our Earth’s wonder with not only students but with engaged citizens.

I love that Audubon Arizona has extended this citizen science program to collecting hummingbird observations in your backyard with “Hummingbirds at Home”.