Between Recreation and Conservation

The boys' campsite, squeaky clean after Leave No Trace training.
Photo credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

As a child, the love for nature begins with adventure. The chance to go outside and run around in the grass with friends. The chance to walk through the woods and cool off in a lake. Making S’mores around a fire. In the midst of such excitement, it’s easy for kids to forget the value of what surrounds them. Part of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s mission is to pass along this love for nature, but also educate the next generation on its preservation. Last week, on the beautiful San Juan Islands in Washington State, Boy Scout Troop 351 enjoyed a weekend full of both adventure and hard work.

Practicing kayak techniques for their kayaking badge.
Photo credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

The Recreation

The troop’s week in nature was fronted by the ultimate goal of achieving their biking badges. To earn this, the troops had to complete 25-to-50 mile bike rides and learn the mechanics behind the bike itself. Each morning, the boys embarked on a journey around the San Juan Islands, some biking almost 60 miles in one day! The hilly terrain made each day of biking a weighty challenge, but I’m willing to bet the gorgeous, natural views played a role in fueling those pedals. When the boys and their accompanying parents weren’t biking, they were kayaking, swimming, bird-watching, fishing, exploring, or camping. Every outdoor adventure you could name was a part of their week. But we asked the scouts: what would happen if there weren’t any bike trails to travel along, no lakes to paddle across, or no fires to roast marshmallows on? This set of boys already knew the answer to these questions, and were as enthusiastic to preserve the land that provided them their adventures as they were for the adventures themselves.

The whole group after their beach clean-up at Grandma's Cove!
Photo credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

The Conservation

On the third day of the camping trip, the scouts biked their way to the southern tip of San Juan Island to American Camp National Park to begin their conservation efforts. After a short history lesson about the island, the group of scouts journeyed down a short trail to Grandma’s Cove for the first steps in their USFWS Leave No Trace training. This cove was a small beach recommended by USFWS partner Friends of San Juans as the perfect location for a beach clean-up. This small cove was rarely visited by beach cleaners and the boys were eager to see what kind of trash they could gather and clean from the shore. To make their efforts even more exciting, we added in a citizen science spin and let the boys record data on the beach debris they were finding and cleaning to be used by the Friends group. As the group scurried about with compostable trash bags and data sheets, it wasn’t long before a group of scouts spotted a washed up life raft along the back banks of the cove. Weighing in at 128 lbs., the life raft looked to be a piece of debris from the 1960s, according to its label. After about a half hour of strategizing, the group of discoverers was able to hoist the raft up and out of the cove with a bit of lifting and a lot of team work! Almost ten full trash bags showcased the spotless cove we left behind!

CPWN team member, Julie, teaches the troop about water contaminants.
Photo credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

Adventures in Clean-up

As the week of camp wound to a close, the troop discussed Leave No Trace back at the campsite. Hearing that improper care of their camp site could eventually lead to toxins in the lake they swam in all week prompted the group to do a full camp clean-up. Recycling stations were set-up, trash was divided, and within an hour the entire campsite was spotless. Pretty impressive for a group 20 teenage boys! As the night closed out with kayaking until dusk (which enjoyably was around 10pm) the group reflected on the connections between recreation and conservation. Great adventures were had by all, and by the time the adventure was over, not a trace was left to be found!

Check out all of our photos from the weekend here!

A Year with Pollinators

This week, we’ve been celebrating National Pollinator Week at U.S. Fish & Wildlife (USFWS). If you’re unfamiliar with pollinators, this week might not mean very much to you. Coincidentally, before beginning my internship with the Connecting People with Nature Team a year ago, I myself knew nothing about the word “pollinator.” In fact, I didn’t even know that the term referred to a special set of species. I remember thinking “What is that, like a spray you put on plants or something?” Throughout the past year, I went from neither knowing, nor caring about the significance and importance of pollinators to having a great understanding and appreciation for all they do. This week, in celebration of National Pollinator Week, I wanted to take you all through my year of learning to care about this wonderful set of critters and try to pass on the connection!

Me at the Wallowa County
Watershed Festival
Photo Credit: Gretchen Sausen

Crash course on Pollinators

My story begins a year ago during the first week of working with the Connecting People with Nature Team. I was about to head off to the Wallowa County Watershed Festival in Enterprise, Oregon as my first event with my team. My task was manning a booth to show visitors the anatomy of a flower and how it is pollinated. Not having thought about flower anatomy since high school, I requested a crash course on the topic and was graciously sent a set of fact sheets all about pollinators, flowers, and foods. This is where I learned exactly what pollinators were, and the abundant numbers of plants and foods we eat that depend on them.

The beautiful backyard garden where the friend I mentioned pollinated
a tree by hand.
Photo Credit: Skip Flinn

No Bees in the Backyard

When I returned from Wallowa County, I found myself more interested in pollinators and more aware of their presence. I even found that my fear of being stung by a bee was replaced with the thought “oh, that little bee is just busy working” (A good sell I must say for teaching those with a fear of bees). Now that I was more aware, I saw the problem come to life first-hand one summer day when visiting a friend. For the past few years he had been growing an expansive garden in his back yard. While explaining to me the different plants throughout the yard I excitedly asked him “Do you see a lot of pollinators back here?” I was surprised when he responded “Actually, this year there weren’t many so I had to pollinate these flowers myself by hand.” Here was the decline in pollinators, right in our own backyards!

A group of students work in their pollinator garden
as part of the Schoolyard Habitat program
Photo Credit: Joseph Charter School

Schoolyard Habitat

Shortly down the road, I learned about the focus that USFWS places on schoolyard habitats. Schoolyard habitats are common projects that the Connecting People with Nature Team helps fund annually to help students, teachers and families develop gardens at their schools. Come to find out, the majority of these gardens specifically work towards growing pollinator habitat. As threats to pollinators, such as loss of habitat, force a decline in their numbers, it’s more important than ever to not only educate younger generations on the issue, but allow them to play a role in the conservation of pollinators via school and home gardens. It doesn’t stop there, USFWS has been diligently working to protect pollinators across the nation, and this week offers us all a week to celebrate in their conservation.

Spread the word!
Photo Credit: Andrew McLachlan/USFWS

Get Out and Help the Pollinators!

Now, here I am, a year later with a calendar full of National Pollinator Week events and passing on the spirit to care about pollinators like I have learned to. So my prescription for this week is that as the week winds down, and the weekend rolls in, make a plan to do something for the bees, birds, butterflies and bats that quietly watch over the beautiful gardens all around you. And once you make your connection – pass it on!

¡Celebración de Las Aves!

Volunteer Naturalist, Gary, prepping a group of excited bird lovers
for a trail around the refuge!
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

As bird migration season flies on (pun intended), bird festivals continue across the globe. Near Portland, Oregon, a particularly urban festival comes around each May, inviting bird lovers and friends out to the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. This year, the day began with hundreds of volunteers swarming the refuge, enthusiastically setting up various booths around the grounds. From the entry way, local partners were seen setting up activities from archery to birdhouse building. Inside the visitor center, arts and crafts tables were quickly covered in colorful paint jars, while the telescope in the corner was positioned to view an eagle fledgling in its nest. Just a short trail's journey away from the busy entrance, volunteer naturalists scurried to set up their stations, from a pond critters area to a casting target practice area. The refuge was poised and ready for the annual TualatinRiver Bird Festival.

One of the many families who came out to enjoy bird festival!
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

Expanding Accessibility

One of the most exciting parts of this year's festival was the recent partnership between U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Univision. Over the past year, the USFWS Pacific Region has been working to make our events and information more accessible to the flourishing Latino community in and around the region. This year, programs and other materials at the festival were available in both Spanish and English, while a number of bi-lingual volunteers around the refuge were available for Spanish speaking guests. This milestone marks the first steps from USFWS in assuring our programs are easily accessible to all members of the community.

Excited to make a close-up investigation of what was left behind
by a Spittlebug!
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

 If It's Gross...

As the morning rolled forward, my first stop at the festival was a "Slugs and Bugs" nature walk led by volunteer naturalist, Gary. A group of about twenty, made up of tots, children, parents and grandparents took off on the trail ready to spot bugs, birds and more. Our first find was a flower that appeared to be covered in spit. A small group of boys perked up at the mention of something potentially gross. One of the boys wasn't fooled though, explaining to the rest of the group that the substance was from an insect called a spittlebug. After continuing through the trail, spotting a few birds, and learning about the Tualatin River, the group parted ways to enjoy more of the festival.

Homemade binoculars, great for bird watching!
Credit: Meghan Kearney/USFWS

All Things Migration

Next, I headed back up to the Refuge entrance. I first visited the salmon migration miniature golf course, where throughout the day children and families would stop before and after trail hikes. The USFWS Pacific Region Fisheries department also set up a tank housing live Pacific lamprey ammocoetes, which were a huge hit among the kids! Like birds, salmon and Pacific lamprey also migrate, so they were welcomed guests at the festival. Closer to the visitor center, Audubon Society of Portland sparked excitement among all visitors with their live birds of prey. Some of the happy visitors were even seen using homemade binoculars to get close-up views of the birds. Though as the day pressed on and the weather clouded over, it didn't stop the crowds from throwing on their raincoats, dressing up the kids in Puddle Stomper gear and enjoying the rest of the refuge. At the end of the day, it was another successful Bird Festival at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge!

Visit and like us on Facebook to see even more great photos from this year's Tualatin River Bird Festival!

"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