"But I Want A Bucket of Dirt!!"

Yoxana & Ahtziri showing off the miniature greenhouses they made
at Festival of the Birds!
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

Typically, when you hear a child crying about something they want, it’s for something like candy, a video game, a puppy. But this past weekend at Oaks Bottom Festival of the Birds things were a little bit different. U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFWS) brought an extensive set of exciting activities and displays for visitors to do and see, but the most popular part of our set up was our mini greenhouse building station.

Cash & Ryder working on their mini green houses
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

Up-cycling

The festival, coinciding with International Migratory Bird Day, was dedicated to the education about and celebration of birds! For our activity we asked kids and families to construct miniature green houses that would grow plants of their choosing. Each of these plants would sprout from seed sets dedicated to attracting specific types of birds or other migrating species, like butterflies. The construction of these tiny greenhouses required common household items: empty toilet paper roles and small plastic containers (as in ones you might buy strawberries or other fruits in).

As each kid hit our table they were eager to get their hands into our big bowls of dirt. The directions suggested putting just enough soil to cover the bottom of the container, but some of our visitors suggested otherwise. One little girl, in tears at having to leave our station, cried out “but I want a bucket of dirrrrttt!” before her parents had to pry her away. If there is one thing you want to see your child crying for, we are happy to support that thing being a pot of dirt!

Jack the raptor visiting Festival of the Birds from Audubon Society of
Portland
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

Around the Fest

Miniature greenhouses weren’t the only great happening at Festival of the Birds. Also in attendance were USFWS bird biologists who lead bird walks throughout the day. On the walks, a Virginia Rail was heard hiding in the trees, a first for the festival! In addition, a number of great local groups were also in attendance. Audubon Society of Portland spent the day introducing some of
their bird friends to the crowds. Hazel the owl and Jack the raptor were both in attendance, but I still overheard a group of girls asking about some of their other personal favorite Audubon birds by name. Talk about loyal bird lovers!

A couple of the great art pieces made by
students of Alameda Beaumont Childcare
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

Art of the Owls

The day’s weather was warm and sunny bringing out hundreds of bird lovers new and old. Walking throughout the festival I was able to catch a handful of great sights, including Bird Olympics, where you could take a shot at having the fastest wing-flapping speed. I also stopped in to view a wonderful art project titled “WOW: The Art of Owls” featuring art work from students at Alameda Beaumont Childcare Center including mobiles, clay masks and drawings.

To Future Gardens

At the end of the day, our green houses had all been claimed. Seventy five new sets of tiny plants would soon be raised by children around Portland, and will soon welcome all of the wonderful birds that were learned about and celebrated throughout the day. And to the little girl who wanted the bucket of dirt, send us a note, we’ve got one with your name on it!

Check out more photos from the festival on our Facebook page!

Migratory Bird May!

Happy May, readers! This month, May 11th to be exact, we celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. Around the Pacific Region a number of events are happening to celebrate this special day throughout the month! Below, we have showcased some of our favorites from around the region. If any of these are in your area, get out and check them out! If not, you can visit the birdday.org event map to find an event close to you!



Visitor to the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Festival of the Birds last year enjoying
 U.S. Fish & Wildlife activities!
Photo Credit: USFWS



Festival of the Birds
Oregon

Saturday | May 11^th, 2013

9:00am – 2:00pm

Come spend the day at Sellwood Park and Oaks Bottom celebrating birds and enjoying the great outdoors. This will be a great day full of exciting activities for you, friends and families! Renowned author, photographer and conservationist, Paul Bannick will be giving a talk on his book The Owl and the Woodpecker. There will also be guided bird walks, live music and stories, kids' games, arts & crafts, live birds from Audubon, and exhibits about the birds of Portland! http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/ExternalAffairs/Outreach/BirdDay2013.asp

Volunteer naturalists at Tualatin River NWR training
to provide tours to visitors!
Photo Credit: USFWS

Tualatin River Bird Festival – Oregon
Saturday | May 18^th, 2013

9:00am – 3:00pm

Every year at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, migratory birds are celebrated during the annual Bird Festival. Located just south of Portland, Oregon this festival is the perfect way for Portland city dwellers to celebrate birds! A family-friendly, FREE event will include bird shows, conservation exhibits, food and guided walks for adults and children! Kids will have the chance to build a bee board, bird or bat house or even play migration putt-putt golf!

http://tualatinriverbirdfestival.org/

Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge,
International Migratory Bird Day
Washington

Saturday | May 11^th, 2013

9:00am – 12:00 noon

Come out to Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge in south, central Washington state on International Migratory Birds Day! Celebrate the migration of birds and their return to the Yakima Valley! Come identify, count and observe bird species throughout the day.

http://www.fws.gov/mcriver/documents/2013-events.pdf.



A photo from International Migratory Bird Day 2012 at Marais des
Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge with Operation Wildlife.
Photo Credit: Patrick Martin/USFWS



Camas National Wildlife Refuge,
International Migratory Bird Day
Idaho

Sunday | May 19^th, 2013

Just north of Idaho Falls, Camas National Wildllife Refuge offers a number of activities including wildlife viewing, photography, bird watching and more. During migration up to 50,000 ducks and 3,000 geese may be found on the refuge. Get out with friends and family and see how many you can spot!

Call for info: 208-662-5423

http://www.fws.gov/camasnwr



A female yellow-headed blackbird ready for International Migratory
Bird Day at Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.
Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife



Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest
Washington

Thursday - Sunday | May 16^th – 19^th, 2013

A weekend long celebration of migratory birds is happening in Leavenworth, WA! Speakers will include John Ruthven (who will also offer a drawing class) and Idie Ulsh of NPR’s “Bird Note.” Throughout the weekend, naturalists will lead bird walks along with many more family-friendly and exciting activities!http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com/

Ladd Marsh Bird Festival
Oregon

Friday - Sunday | May 17^th-19^th, 2013

Located in La Grande, OR this festival hosts weekend long activities including birding, birds of prey presentations, music, food and more! Gary Ivey, a Research Associate of the International Crane Foundation, will also be present to give an exciting presentation about Sandhill Cranes that use the Pacific Flyway!
Ladd Marsh Bird Festival

An Outdoor Sport Not Just for the Big Screen

Kids visiting Klineline Pond get an archery lesson before trying
it out.
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

These days when you think archery, or even better, when any kids in your life think archery, what comes to mind? Katniss Everdeen? Brave? Teenagers loving or idolizing Oliver Queen from the show Arrow? Either way, there is no doubt that an increase in bow-and-arrow-toting heroes in pop culture has shed some light on the sport. Even before The Hunger Games though, archery has always been a great way for kids and adults alike to connect with nature. But now more than ever its appeal is enough to rival the fine-looking couch and Xbox. And you don’t need to be the victor of the 74^th annual Hunger Games to give it a go.

All-Access Archery

Kids and volunteers gather for Kids Fishing Day at Klineline Pond.
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

This past week, Klineline Pond in Salmon Creek, Washington partnering with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and others, hosted its annual Kids Fishing Day. Each year, one day is set aside for children with disabilities to come out and enjoy a day of fishing and exciting activities. They can enter contests and compete with other kids for a number of different prizes, all while spending the day outdoors! Over recent years, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Pacific Region (USFWS), has been partnering up with the event to provide an archery booth for the visiting kids. For many of these kids, getting out on a lake to fish was a new experience, but archery seemed even more intangible. Today however, a little bit of Hollywood, and a whole lot of fun in nature took over.

Anticipating the "Swoop"

One of our archery stars for the day!
Credit: Jane Chorazy/USFWS

As groups of kids and parents began to pile over to our archery booth, swarms of USFWS volunteers took turns providing one-on-one support for each child who wanted to try their hand at shooting an arrow. Onlooking spectators watched as the first few arrows bounced out of the bow awkwardly, or flew just a few feet before nose diving into the wet grass (full disclosure: When I tried it out, "first few" was more like "first ten"). But these kids were resilient. It wasn't long before you heard the sound of the first glorious "SWOOP" of an arrow smashing into the target. And then another. And then four more.

Big Screen Heroes

Some kids came back for more! By his fifth go around at
the archery booth, he was a pro!
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

All day rounds and rounds of kids of all ages and abilities stuck around until hitting their own first bullseye. Almost all of the kids were curious to know more. One parent approached us after her son finished his fourth round-about in the waiting line for an archery spot laughed saying "You'll never guess what he wants for his birthday," while another group of kids asked where they could find local archery classes. One very excited girl, after hitting the target on all of her final five arrows shouted, "just call me the archery queen!" It was an exciting experience had by all at Klineline this weekend. The visiting kids had a blast, while the volunteers enjoyed the reward of being a part of that. I think all of us left feeling a little like a big screen hero.

Put a Little Spring in Your Step

Spring is in the air! Here in the Pacific Northwest (we aren't forgetting our sunny friends out in the Hawaiian Islands, but sunshine over here is a bit harder to come by) spring comes as a welcome surprise. Our grey skies slowly transform to blue, flowers blossom and shed along our streets, and locals, eager to catch their first glimpse of sunlight head to the trails. Spring activities seem to be endless here, especially with a bit of creativity. This week, we asked our Facebook fans to share some of their favorite spring activities and sites with us, so we could pass them along to you! From our nature-loving friends' suggestions – we chose five activities, and now you've got four weeks to complete them all! So check out our suggested activities – and get out there! If you find yourself having the time of your life while you're out there, snap some photos then share them and your story with us!

A Pacific Tree Frog, hanging out nearby and waiting to sing for spring.
Credit: USFWS

Choirs of Frogs

Our friend Nancy reminded us of the fast appearing frogs come springtime. The Pacific Tree Frog (also known as Pacific Chorus Frog) is common in the Pacific Northwest. They love damp places, so find one nearby you and get your ears ready for nature's own frog orchestra!

Pickathon, a late summer music festival in Oregon showcases one great
example of how families and friends can gather outdoors!
Credit: tdstone/Flickr CC

Nature’s Venue

Bobby mentioned that he enjoys attending outdoor music festivals once the spring season rolls around. Festivals start creeping on in late spring and really get going come summer. We think this is an excellent example of taking a passion you have that isn’t regularly outdoors, and getting it outdoors! When the sun starts shining – celebrations of music, art, food, birds and more can usually be found in the form of a festival. Gather up the kids, or friends, get your lawn chairs or camping gear ready and head off to a fest. We’ve heard that natural acoustics are some of the best!

An outdoor classroom activity connecting children, learning and nature!
Credit: Evie Bradley/USFWS Mt. Prairie

Natural in Nature

Nature Explore suggested bringing the classroom outside! What better season to get kids outdoors to learn in their natural environments? "When children feel natural in nature, learn in and love the earth, and develop a sense of wonder they will take care of the earth and pass on their love and what they've learned. Together we are supporting the next generation of environmental stewards!" – Nature Explore

Close up of a banana slug. What kid doesn't love creepy crawlies?!
Credit: Natalie McNear/Flickr CC

Seasonal Hikes

Hiking paths are available year round, but during the spring, seasonal plants and critters make special appearances. Christy of Tweets & Tree Frogs spotted trillium and banana slugs on a recent hike at Tyron Creek. A frequently visited trail never loses its spark when every new hike brings new discoveries!

Western sandpipers are one local species of migratory birds.
Credit: Roy W. Lowe/USFWS

March Migration

Finally, my personal pick for spring activities is spring time birding! Tis' the season to see some of the great migratory bird species you can't see during cold, wet months. The best part about these migrating birds is that they can be spotted right outside your window! Even if you're stuck indoors during the days of spring, you can still catch a glimpse of it flying past!

Understanding Urban Nature

Urban nature. This seems to be a paradoxical concept. How can you connect to wildlife, trees, rivers, Mother Nature when you're surrounded by tall brick buildings? Busses and cars speed along paved roads rather than hooves of deer along dirt trails. This poses a problem for children in urban areas. How are they to escape the city and experience a true learning "environment?" What if the environment could come to them?



USFWS biologist, Cheri Anderson teaching one of the Salmon in
the Classroom lessons to students
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS



Salmon in the Classroom

It turns out – it can! The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Salmon in the Classroom program, typically brought to more rural area schools, was adapted to bring nature into the hands of children bound by urban settings. This year, Boise-Eliot Humboldt elementary students were chosen to become junior fish biologists who would help raise a generation of salmon. Kids raising salmon at school?! Sounds far-fetched, but let me get into some of the details.

The salmon that students have been raising continue to grow.
Credit: Pat Edwards/USFWS 

The return of the squishy egg

The program began in early January when salmon at local hatcheries were beginning to spawn. A set of fertilized eggs was delivered to Boise-Eliot and the students began their first lesson. These squishy, bright orange eggs (proven to be a hit among kids: read more) made up the students' first introduction to the life cycle of salmon. Held in a tank in the school's library, the students observed and monitored the growth of these tiny eggs as they slowly developed into fry. 



Malachi (center) explains each of the organs to his classmates.
Credit: Pat Edwards/USFWS



Everything to do with salmon

As the eager students waited for their fish to grow, USFWS fish biologists visited the school teaching lessons on everything from watersheds, to fish dissection. The fish dissection portion was a particularly big hit among the students – what could be more exciting than the icky, stinky insides of a fish? One student – Malachi Spinks, nicknamed "Dr. Spinks" by his classmates hopes to be a fish biologist in the future. He spent the lesson leading his peers in identifying each organ of the fish. The night before, Malachi found and completed an online fish dissection module to be better prepared. How did Malachi become so interested in fish? "My dad always used to cook fish when I was growing up, and he let me help him." Malachi shared. A little spark can carry a child's love for nature a long way. A night of family bonding, some sweating in the kitchen and a delicious meal as the reward, and Malachi was hooked!

When it comes to science - these junior fish biologists aren't grossed out
by anything!
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

The final step

Later this month, the children will embark on a field trip to Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery where they will release their fish into the Columbia River. This trip will finalize their study of the salmon life cycle and give them an idea of what it is like to work with salmon out in the field. From the river, to the classroom, back to the river - These future fish biologists might spend most of their time in the center of a big city but urban nature is real and with a little bit of creativity and planning anybody can be a part of it!

For more information about the Salmon in the Classroom program visit here.

Celebrating African American Heritage in Fish & Wildlife

Judy Gordon, Abernathy Fish Technology
Center Director
Credit: USFWS

In celebration of African American Heritage month, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service asked Judith Gordon, Center Director at Abernathy Fish Technology Center in Longview, Washington why she does what she does. Her inspiring personal account of getting involved with conservation showcases one of the many ways that nature inspires Service employees! Thank you, Judy, for your hard work and dedication to nature and conservation!

Why I do what I do?

I can answer that with a name, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the oceanographer and marine conservationist. Growing up I probably watched every one of his TV specials about his adventures aboard the research vessel Calypso and cruising around in Zodiacs®. I knew by the time I was eleven years old that I wanted a career in a marine biological science so I could be near the water and study biology. My parents helped in this choice in two ways. First, they were fully engaged in and encouraging of my educational goal of going to college.  Secondly, they wanted my sister and me to have a choice in careers, which as children of the Great Depression they didn’t. 

Judy sampling on the Yukon River in
Alaska
Credit: Judy Gordon/USFWS

Following a dream around the U.S.
Thus armed with images from TV specials and support from family I started down my career path.  This led me to a Bachelor's degree in population Biology and as Master's degree in Quantitative Ecology, with a minor in Statistics.  But most importantly it led me to jobs in Woods Hole, MA, Pascagoula, MS, Fairbanks, AK, Longview, WA, and research cruises/field work in the North Atlantic Ocean off of New England, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska's Beaufort Sea and middle Yukon River, and now the Pacific Northwest.

Too many fish to count
During my ~30 year career I have seen amazing things: a whale shark feeding at the surface of the ocean; porpoises enjoying themselves riding the bow wave of a ship; a grizzly bear and her two cubs walking across a hill side; a pod of beluga whales; polar bear running across the tundra; a tarpon jumping out of the ocean; the vividly colored Queen Triggerfish; mahi mahi moving so fast they appear to be just streaks of color underwater; a black bear strolling along a river bank; a moose taking a drink; a startled herd of musk ox forming a protective circle around their calves; streams full of salmon in their spawning colors; a family of river otters playing; herds of caribou, elk, bison, and mule deer; frigate birds, wild swans and bald eagles.  And I haven't even listed all the different species of fish!

Feeling a "sense of calm" during sunset on the Beaufort Sea, Alaksa.
Credit: Judy Gordon/USFWS

Our place in nature
One of my favorite things about my work is a moment when I feel most connected to the natural world.  Be it standing on the deck of research vessel heading to port in twenty foot seas, the quiet in the morning when you wake up in your tent, the smell of sea air and the sounds of sea birds, or seeing a run of brightly colored fish returning to spawn in a creek. Those are the moments that I most strongly feel a sense of calm, a better understanding of our place in nature, and the importance of conserving the natural world.

I can’t imagine doing anything else!