File:Coast watch (1979) (20472467518).jpg

Title: Coast watch
Identifier: coastwatch00uncs_16 (find matches)
Year: 1979 (1970s)
Authors: UNC Sea Grant College Program
Subjects: Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology
Publisher: (Raleigh, N. C. : UNC Sea Grant College Program)
Contributing Library: State Library of North Carolina
Digitizing Sponsor: North Carolina Digital Heritage Center

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Black Sh immers in flight provide a showy sight along the shore of one of Audubon's coastal sanctuaries. experience in nature for thousands of children and families. "The focus is to get immersed in nature — to empower and encourage people to participate in nature," Wood says. "The measure of success? Seeing citizen scientists engaged in monitoring the health of their neighborhoods from bird counting to monitoring waterways. In other words, getting involved with 'real-time' science." Watching Wood in action at Burgaw Middle School in Pender County, it's easy to see that he enjoys the face-to-face teaching mode. Wood initiated Science Explorer, an afterschool enrichment program, for the 2002-2003 school year. 'The goal is to increase their awareness of wildlife around them and to demonstrate the importance of the environment in their daily lives," Wood says. "Students are really into it," he adds. "This is not your usual organized sport activity. We just poke around in the school yard. Turn over a log, see what scrambles out. It's all about making the connection to the outdoors, looking closely and getting excited about what you discover." On this particular fall day, the students make a significant find: the rosey wolf snail, an invasive, non-native species that eats other snails. The students log every critter they find in the school yard each session and add to the list they are compiling. They will compare the entries as the seasons change, and study the life history and inter-relationship of their discoveries, Wood explains. "What's this have to do with birds? We want to show that birds are part of a bigger environment. It's not enough to erect a feeder if there is no habitat for the bird to build a nest. We want to show habitat as a whole, and that birds are a special part of it." Audubon's environmental goal is to create a "culture of conservation" for all generations. "It's about connecting people to the natural world and inspiring them to protect it," says Wood. □ Getting Involved To learn more about educational programs or local and state activities, visit Audubon North Carolina on the Web at www.ncctudubon.org. Or, check programs offered by local or state parks, national refuge sites, or national seashore sites. Bird watchers can join national counting events throughout the year: • International Migratory Bird Day, May 10, sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Individuals and groups can participate. For informa- tion, call 703/358-2318 or go to [http://] birds.fws.gov/imbd/. • Project Feederwatch, from November through March. Participants record weekly counts of birds visiting their feeders. Participants report results to Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Go to www.ncaudubon.org. • The Christmas Bird Count, an Audubon tradition since 1900. Go to www.ncaudubon.org. • The Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 15 to 18. State checklists are provided, and participants enter their counts online. The annual event is sponsored by the National Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Go to www.ncaudubon.org. • Wings Over Water, autumn migration, Outer Banks. Weeklong activities include birding events. Go to www. northeast-nc. com/wings. COASTWATCH 11

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