The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Birding with Extension seminar series will replace the Birding the Border 2020 live event.
Registration for the seminar will be $10, which will go to support AgriLife Extension youth birding programs.
“In a very difficult time, we are saddened to announce that Birding the Border 2020 has been canceled,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Val Verde County. “We, along with our landowners, are disappointed that we no longer are able to share the amazing birding management work that is being done on private lands in Val Verde and Kinney counties.”
Maureen Frank, Ph.D., wildlife specialist, Uvalde, said the seminar will feature the same experts and topics slated for Birding the Border. She also stated these presentations may be suited for Texas Master Naturalist Advanced Training credits. Committees that need more information about offering advanced training hours to attendees of this seminar may contact Frank.
“We are excited to broadcast our speakers. The virtual seminars are a great and economical opportunity for birders of all levels, or people curious about the different aspects of birding, to spend two afternoons with us online learning from the experts,” Frank said.
The April 16 seminar times, topics and speakers are:
2:30-3:10 p.m., Interactions Between Stress Hormones and Blood Parasites along Elevation Gradients – Viridiana Martinez, Texas A&M Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology doctoral student, College Station.
3:10-3:50 p.m., Borderlands Research Institute Grassland Birds Project – Alex Chavez, Borderlands Research Institute graduate student at Sul Ross State University, Alpine.
3:50-4:30 p.m., Learn Here, Volunteer Here, Change Here – Mary Pearl Meuth, Texas Master Naturalist Program assistant state coordinator, College Station.
The April 17 seminar times, topics and speakers are:
2:30-3:30 p.m., Managing Aquatic Vegetation for Waterfowl – Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist, College Station.
3:30-4:30 p.m., Wildlife and Working Lands Panel Discussion and Q and A – John Tomecek, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall; Bryan Calk, NatureScape Tours professional birder and guide, Albuquerque; and Romey Swanson, Audubon Texas wildlife biologist, Austin.
“Thanks to the support of our fantastic donors, we have some great event giveaways,” said Grant. “All participants need to do is click ‘Enter to Win’ on the seminar page.”
Each seminar will feature prizes and giveaways, including binoculars, certificates to Birding the Border 2021, HummerBird Celebration passes and Images for Conservation coffee table book.
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