Bird by Bird

Bird by Bird is an exciting program that shares the joy of birding with classrooms and communities. Through place-based environmental education, youth leadership, and community engagement, Bird by Bird strives to inspire future leaders and build a welcoming and inclusive community of environmental stewards. 

High school students and recent graduates

Are you a high school student or recent graduate in the Twin Cities metro area interested in exploring the outdoors and natural resource careers? Join our BOLD leader cohort!

Birding & Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD) leaders receive leadership training along with field experiences for college and career readiness and skills to be bird conservation ambassadors in their communities. Young adult leaders will receive a stipend for their participation. This is a six-week program, running from June 24-August 23, 2024. There will be no program the week of July 1-5 in honor of the July 4th holiday. 

Sound like something you’re interested in? Click this link to learn more!

Don’t have time to be a BOLD leader? No problem! There are other great resources for learning more about the outdoors:

• Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers
• Conservation Corps
• Urban Roots
• Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board
• DNR career paths

Nature ID apps

• eBird
• Merlin
• iNaturalist
• Seek

Natural areas to know

• Minnesota parks and trails
• Scientific and Natural Areas
• Como Zoo and Conservatory
• Ramsey County Parks
• Hennepin County Parks 

Teachers

Do you want to connect your students to the outdoors? Do you want to share the joys of birding (bird watching)? Then Bird by Bird is right for you! 

Students participating in Bird by Bird  will explore the fascinating world of birds through place-based environmental education. We will provide a birding kit (binoculars, bird seed, and identification guides) and a bird feeding station to participating classrooms. There will be bird walks, lead by volunteers, for your students to learn about local birds. In addition, a field trip at the end of the year will be provided to further enhance student’s experience. 

Bird by Bird staff will provide training for teachers to help them learn more about Minnesota's birds, leading bird walks, and incorporating environmental education into their curriculum.  

Interested? Sign up here!

Education resources

• National Wildlife Federation educator tools
• Minnesota Association of Environmental Education resource library
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classroom materials
• Young Naturalist articles and teaching guides
• Audubon Adventures

Find more education resources over on our Wildlife Education webpage!

FAQ

• Is participation limited to the Metro area?
  • Yes, right now we currently support elementary schools in the metro area, with the hopes of expanding the program in the future.  
• Are the kits for us to keep?
  • Kits are available for participating classrooms for the school year and will need to be returned at the end of the year.
• How many pairs of binoculars will be provided?
  • Each student will receive their own pair.
• How many identification guides will be provided?
  •  Foldable field guides will be provided for each pair of students as well as a set of Peterson First Identification Guides and Sibley’s East Identification Guide.
• What happens if our bird feeders break?
  • Contact the Bird by Bird Program Lead for a replacement.
• What happens if we run out of bird seeds?
  • Contact the Bird by Bird Program Lead for a delivery. Bird seeds will be delivered at the beginning of the school year and mid-year after winter break. 
• Teachers are really busy. What is the time commitment for participating teachers?
  • 3 classroom visits and one field trip
  • Observe, record, and submit bird observations at bird feeding station.
  • Properly maintain and care for bird feeding equipment.
  • Provide program feedback.

Volunteers

Do you love birds? Do you want to share that love with elementary schools students and communities? Become a Bird by Bird volunteer! 

The Bird by Bird program is looking for reliable and passionate adults to help foster meaningful experiences for youth and communities to connect to nature and nourish a love of birds and wildlife at elementary schools and community events. 

Our volunteer slots are currently filled, however we will be looking for more volunteers June 2024. 

 Volunteers have the option of:

• Volunteering in elementary schools and assisting in education activities and field trips.
• Engaging families and communities in bird watching, bird walks, and bird education related activities.
• Working behind the scenes on volunteer projects that support the program such as:
  • Deliver bird seed and program supplies to schools.
  • Install and maintain bird feeding stations.
  • Support field trips.
  • Prep materials (ex. putting together binoculars and assembling classroom kits).

 Qualifications Desired:

• Adult 21 years of age or older.
• Experience with and/or the strong desire to work with youth and engage with communities.
• Some knowledge or willingness to learn about birds of Minnesota and the willingness to share this information with students, young adults, and community members.
• Ability to meet program participants where they are and foster a welcoming learning space.
• Ability and desire to lead or assist bird/nature walks for community and students.
• Enthusiasm and the willingness to learn alongside participants and other volunteers.

Time commitment:

• Single day or continuous volunteer projects are available with varying time commitment. Contact Jessica Ruthenberg, Wildlife Engagement Supervisor, at [email protected] or (651) 470-4656 to learn more. 

Volunteering sites:

• School programs take place at various elementary school locations in the St. Paul and Minneapolis Public School districts. School programs begin in September 2024 and end in May 2025.
• Volunteers must be able to transport themselves to assigned schools, community event, and field experience sites. Travel reimbursement available if needed. 

To sign up:

• Complete a Bird by Bird Program application
• Create a volunteer profile.
• Please note that this application will time out after 30 minutes of no activity.
• Make note of the username and password you create for this site so you can go back to update your profile and apply for other DNR volunteer opportunities.  This will be your DNR Volunteer profile from now on. Log in to MyImpactPage.com to access anytime.

FAQ

• I can’t commit to the entire school year, I’m only available certain times is that okay?
  • Yes!
• What are the benefits of being a volunteer?
  • You can make a difference in a young person’s life through mentorship.
  • You will benefit from both mental and physical health benefits from time connecting to nature.
  • Take part in sparking a young person or community member’s interest in bird and wildlife viewing.
  • Build commodore with other volunteers.
• Do I have to be an expert birder?
  •  No, you just have to be excited, enthusiastic, and be willing to learning alongside youth and community members.

For more information: Contact Jessica Ruthenberg, Wildlife Engagement Supervisor, at [email protected] or (651) 470-4656.  

Funding for this program was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and the MN DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program.