Salt Flat, TX – Guadalupe Mountains National Park invites families with children ages 6-18 years of age to the first park Conservation Bird Count for Kids event (CBC4Kids) on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Gather family and friends to flock to this half day event that celebrates the outdoors, birds and family fun! This event introduces basic bird watching to help engage the next generation of citizen scientists and stewards. Every year, Guadalupe Mountains National Park participates in the annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, an event that thousands of volunteers across the country take part in. It’s the longest-running wildlife census to assess health of bird populations and help guide conservation action. But this event does not include children’s bird sightings, so in an effort to introduce the next generation to recreational birding, the first CBC4Kids was launched in 2007 by Tom Rusert of Sonoma Birding. Since then, CBC4Kids events have spread across the United States and Canada.
“The objective for this event is for families to have fun in the outdoors!” stated Eric Brunnemann, Guadalupe Mountains Superintendent. “Participants form teams to compete to see which can identify the most birds. No need to be concerned that you don’t know how to bird watch. We start with a binocular basics class, teach basic birding techniques and then get you out on the trails with a knowledgeable birder. It’s a great adventure in the park.”
Participants should meet at the Pine Springs Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. Bring water, sturdy hiking shoes, snacks and clothing suitable for changing weather conditions. There is no fee for events in the park, but there is the usual entrance fee of $5.00 per person, (15 years and younger are free). Park information, including park conditions and weather are available on the park’s website www.nps.gov/gumo or by telephone at (915) 828-3251 ext. 2124.
