Bird by Bird Program

Purpose (Why we are doing this):

• To share the joy and wonder of bird watching with schools and communities.
• To inspire future leaders and build a welcoming and inclusive community of environmental stewards. 
• To provide access to nature and environmental education. 
• Support current high school students or recent graduates from underrepresented communities interested in exploring the outdoors and natural resource careers.
• Support teacher's education goals.  
• Support student's social and emotional learning through hands-on indoor and outdoor exploration. 
• Provide mental and physical health benefits through connection with nature. 

Impact this position will have: 

• Help foster meaningful experiences for youth and communities to connect to nature and nourish a love of birds and wildlife. 
• Make a difference in a youth and/or young adult's life through mentorship. 
• Enhance community outreach and access to nature. 
• Physical and mental health benefits from connecting to nature. 

Responsibilities (duties and tasks)

Authorized work may include: 

• Volunteer in elementary schools and assist in education activities and field trips. 
• Provide mentorship and support for high school/young adult leaders.
• Engage families and communities in bird watching, bird walks, and bird education related activities co-led by high school students as BOLD youth leaders in the Birding & Outdoor Leadership Development initiative. 
• Work behind the scenes on volunteer projects that support the program such as delivering bird seeds and program supplies to schools, curriculum development, bird feeding installation and maintenance. 
• Effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of various cultural, racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds and engage families and communities in bird watching, bird walks, and bird-related activities.  

Restricted work: 

The duties assigned to this volunteer position may include the tasks laid out above. Other tasks pertaining to the program must be agreed upon with the Bird by Bird program lead.

Qualifications Desired:

• Adult 21 years of age or older.
• Experience working 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 bird/nature walks for communities and students.
• Enthusiasm and the willingness to learn alongside participants and volunteers.  

Minimum Time Commitment (dependent on the type of volunteering selected): 

• Monday-Friday daytime hours for classroom projects starting October 16, 2023 – May 24, 2024.
• Weekend daytime and evening hours for community events
• Minimum hours – Varies by project (2- 4 hours)

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Program.