On Saturday, August 3, 2024, 13 young birders, parents, grandparents, and supporters joined the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) at Snyder Heritage Farm near Elkhart. A beautiful property consisting of a mix of prairie, oak savanna, pothole wetland, and woodland ecosystems, Snyder Heritage Farm has been stewarded by INHF since the early 1990’s. We were joined by Sydney Algreen-Hunter with INHF, who shared with us the farm’s special history and led us on a walking tour of the different ecosystems. Everyone was excited to explore!

We were welcomed to the farm by a very cooperative Eastern Gray Treefrog that was resting on a picnic table near the barn. The frog was very cooperative, allowing everyone to study it closely as we talked about how this native amphibian can change from bright green to mottled gray. Later, it disappeared briefly only to reappear crawling up the trunk of a nearby tree. We paused to watch it hop out onto a limb. As we continued introductions, we found another amphibian, a Boreal Chorus Frog, bounding through the grass. One of the young birders quickly snagged the small frog and we studied its characteristic black stripes in hand. We might be there for the birds, but we always take the opportunity to learn about other critters!

As we started to hike towards the prairie to search for grassland birds, we stopped to admire an Eastern Bluebird perched on a fencepost, beak full of insects likely destined for the hungry mouths of nestlings inside a nearby nest box. We were soon drawn to the prairie by a song consisting of sharp chirps coming from low in the vegetation. With some patience, a Sedge Wren emerged, perching high on a compass plant stalk for everyone to see. We continued our walk into the prairie, pausing occasionally to learn about the many flowering plants, watch a Red-headed Woodpecker fly overhead, or to admire the Common Green Darner dragonflies zipping through the air. We finished our walk through the prairie with great looks of both male and female Dickcissels, another of our grassland songbirds.

After taking a break in some shade to watch some Barn Swallows swoop back and forth through the yard, we started towards the oak savanna. Along the way, we stopped to watch various species of dragonflies patrolling the edge of one of the wetlands and to study a distant Turkey Vulture sitting atop a powerline pole. The savanna produced some new species for our list including a House Wren, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Northern Flicker, and a gorgeous male Indigo Bunting. We also heard a Common Yellowthroat singing and stopped to study an Eastern Kingbird, both near the wetland as we hiked back to the barn. We finished our morning with 20 species of birds on our list as well as several other fun critters!

Thanks very much to INHF for hosting us and especially to Sydney Algreen-Hunter for teaching us about the plants and animals of the property! You can view our bird list here and photos from our morning here.

We're excited to welcome Judy Levings to Iowa Young Birders as the newest member of our Board of Directors! Learn more about Judy below.

Current town: Ames, Iowa

Home town: Perry, Missouri

What sparked your interest in birds/nature? 

My family had a rustic cabin on the Salt River in Missouri where everyone - aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends would meet most weekends to fish and boat. Fishing bored me, so I would do other things: walk, make forts, explore caves, and hunt for insects and salamanders. In high school, I took an advanced biology where the most marvelous teacher, Mr. Gibbs, introduced us to a huge taxonomic key on the Plants of Missouri. I traversed the county, searching for any kind of plant to identify. Birding didn’t happen until I took Ornithology from Dr. Dinsmore. Something about getting to handle tiny colorful creatures caught in mist nets hooked me. 

What is your favorite bird? 

Maybe the Prothonotary Warbler- isn’t this one a stunner, it’s reclusive so you usually have to work hard to find one. When you do, your day is brighter. 

What is your favorite birding/outdoor space?

Any place with undisturbed habitat - I travel a lot, so my favorite is the next Audubon site, National Wildlife Refuge, Yucatan ruin, or a friend's backyard where I get to share space with birds. 

Do you have young birders in your family?  

Yes, I do. My granddaughter is a birder extraordinaire. Coupled with her artistic and photographic abilities and easy-going mindset, she is a natural.

How did you first learn about Iowa Young Birders?  

We belong to the American Birding Association and there was an article about the Young Birders Association. When I was at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt looking for a Prothonotary Warbler, I saw a group of youth and their families birding. I was told they were on an Iowa Young Birder’s field trip.  Ah, ha!

What motivated you to become an IAYB Board Member? 

I reached out to the organization to offer to volunteer.  After a nice discussion, it was suggested that my talents might reside in serving as a Board member.  

Why do you feel exposing kids to birds and nature is important?  

Developing the next generation of environmentalists or conservationists who have a land ethic is essential for our future.  Children can develop a land ethic in a myriad of ways, but exposure to the outdoors on a repeated basis with caring adults has the most chance of success. Birding is fun and can act as a hook. I think the beauty of the IAYB activities is that they are family-oriented, so our volunteer guides can provide tips and ideas for parents to feel more comfortable in the outdoors. If parents feel comfortable and know where to take their children outdoors, they will more likely repeat these field trips with their children - to parks and other outdoor spaces and programs.

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, 22 young birders, parents, and supporters gathered at the Brenton Arboretum in Dallas County for a morning summer birding. Penny Perkins, Education Director for the Arboretum, welcomed us and acquainted us with the goals of this 141-acre oasis in central Iowa. The Arboretum was created in 1997 thanks to a passion for trees by founder Buz Brenton and the collection has since grown to more than 2,500 trees and shrubs of 500 species in addition to several acres of native prairie. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Arboretum hosts a great diversity of birds and we were excited to explore the area!

We were greeted with rain that persisted for much of the morning. However, it didn’t dampen our enthusiasm! Our morning started with a life bird for many of the young birders - a male Northern Bobwhite whistling from a line of shrubs near the Visitor’s Center. We tried hard to get him in our binoculars with no luck, but it was still fun to hear his whistle and practice our own “bob-white” whistles for the remainder of the morning. The American Robins seemed extremely fond of the persistent rain, for we saw numerous individuals singing from treetops and flying around throughout the morning. While walking to Overlook Pond, we heard and saw an Eastern Meadowlark singing from a small tree near a hillside prairie. We paused to listen carefully to his melodious song.

A pair of Eastern Kingbirds was active around Overlook Pond, and we received several opportunities to study them. We also stopped to study a female Red-winged Blackbird, her brown streaks over a whitish-yellow body very different from the well-known red wing patch on a black body of her male counterpart. Also near the pond was a small flock of American Goldfinches, which provided us the opportunity to learn the plumage differences of males and females of that species. 

We took a break above Overlook Pond to learn about vegetative structure in native prairies, the important role it plays for grassland bird nesting, and how it is maintained through grazing and prescribed fire. We then hiked back to the Visitor’s Center, stopping along the way to listen to a singing Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and to look for the pesky, secretive Northern Bobwhite again.

A huge thanks to Penny Perkins with the Brenton Arboretum for joining us and sharing her knowledge of trees and plants. Thanks also to all the participants for attending despite the somewhat unpleasant weather! You can view photos from our morning here and a complete species list here.

On June 29, 2024, 12 young birders, parents, and supporters met at Bickett-Rate Memorial Preserve in Cedar County to visit and learn about the historic Althea Sherman Chimney Swift tower. Currently maintained by the Cedar County Historical Society (CCHS), this tower is the original structure designed, built, and used by amateur Iowa ornithologist Althea Sherman to observe the nesting behavior of Chimney Swifts at her home in northeastern Iowa in the mid-1900’s. Ms. Sherman’s detailed observations of the many Chimney Swift nests in her tower contributed immensely to the understanding of swift nesting behavior and today are still some of the only observations of this largely unseen portion of a swift’s life. 

On this day, thanks to the CCHS and Ms. Sherman’s ingenuity, we had the unique opportunity to see a Chimney Swift nest! We were led into the tower by CCHS Treasurer Mike Boyle, who told us all about how Ms. Sherman used the tower to observe swift nests. He explained that she would often stay in the tower day and night to document when and how the adults would enter the tower to feed the young. The interior of the tower was fascinating! It consisted of a narrow staircase that wound around a 12-foot deep interior chimney, along which were several holes and windows providing a complete view of the chimney. At the top of the staircase was a door that could be opened for viewing and entering the chimney (if needed). Each participant was able to see the nest through this door, which was made of small sticks attached to the wooden wall of the chimney with the extra-sticky saliva produced by Chimney Swifts specifically for nest building. One young birder described the saliva as “honey-like”, which is very accurate! The nest contained 6 mostly featherless young, who made a very raspy, dinosaur-like call at any noise or movement. What an amazing experience it was to see a Chimney Swift nest up close!

After viewing the swift nest, we toured the farm with Mike, learning more about its history and the many species of birds, in addition to the Chimney Swifts, that call the farm home. We were endlessly entertained by the many Purple Martins zipping through the air with the Chimney Swifts, presumably capturing insects unseen to our eyes. The Purple Martins were happy to take up residence in the colony of nest boxes on the farm, and it was amusing to see young martins peaking their heads through the entrance holes of the nest boxes. Also on the farm were several Eastern Bluebird nest boxes, and we were treated with great views of an Eastern Bluebird near one of the boxes. It was the perfect morning for a leisurely hike with the birds!

Many thanks to Mike Boyle for teaching us about the history of the swift tower and the farm and to the Cedar County Historical Society for hosting us! You can view photos from our morning here and a complete species list here.

On Saturday, March 23, 11 young birders, parents, and friends visited Cardinal Marsh Wildlife Area in Winneshiek County to search for migrating waterfowl and other early spring arrivals. The morning was cold but calm and the rising sun gradually warmed us during our hike.

The songbirds were alive with activity this morning. We were greeted by a single Fox Sparrow perched in a tree near the parking lot. As we started our hike, we quickly noticed several American Robins flying about, foraging on berries produced by the line of shrubs along the road to the marsh. We learned they were eating berries produced by nearby American Bittersweet shrubs and Eastern Red Cedars. Several Red-winged Blackbirds were in the area as well, loudly announcing their presence with their “konk-kra-lee” songs. A couple blackbirds perched in the open offering great looks through the spotting scope. We also saw a single Black-capped Chickadee flitting from shrub to shrub along the road.

After seeing many waterfowl in the air from the parking lot, we were anxious to reach the first of a series of wetland units at Cardinal Marsh. Once there, our first birds were 3 Ring-necked Pheasants flying across the road and out over the mostly-frozen water. The several hundred waterfowl on the wetland quickly attracted our attention, however. Immediately obvious were 5 swans, the largest of the waterfowl family in North America. After close examination, we determined that 3 were Trumpeter Swans and the 2 remaining were less-common Tundra Swans. An unexpected treat for the morning! Also present on the wetland were several Canada Geese and 11 species of ducks, including a pair of very cooperative Ruddy Ducks that young birders viewed through the spotting scope. We also flushed a Wilson’s Snipe from the wetland edge.

While viewing the waterfowl, we heard occasional distant calls of Sandhill Cranes in the marsh. As we continued on our hike, the cranes came into view. We watched a total of 7 birds throughout the morning, flying overhead, calling, and foraging in various areas of the marsh. We learned that at least 4 pairs of cranes nest at Cardinal Marsh each year. As we watched a group of 4 cranes walking along a dike, we noticed one bird was much more gray in color compared to its nearby rust-colored friends. We learned that the rusty-orange color is actually not the color of their feathers, but rather is color produced by the iron-rich soil in the marsh that the cranes “paint” on their feathers with their bills. They do this shortly after returning from their wintering grounds. Chances are the gray crane just arrived in Iowa from its winter home and had not yet donned the marsh mud. Very cool!

Other highlights from our hike included a trio of Greater White-fronted Geese, 6 Killdeer, 2 Bald Eagles soaring in the distance, and other songbirds typical of this time of year including American Tree Sparrows, Song Sparrows, a pair of Northern Cardinals, and a single Dark-eyed Junco.

We learned a ton on our hike thanks to the vast knowledge of naturalist and local expert Larry Reis with Winneshiek County Conservation. Thanks very much to Larry for joining us! You can view photos from our trip here as well as a full species list here.

Diane Crookham-Johnson is one of the newest members of our Board of Directors and a huge supporter of our programs. Learn more about Diane below!

Photo courtesy of Diane Crookham-Johnson

Current town: Oskaloosa, Iowa

Home town: Charles City, Iowa

What sparked your interest in birds?

I came to birding later in life.  Our kids had both left home after graduation.  My husband frequently traveled for work.  I was looking for a new photography subject.  A friend suggested Bald Eagles at Red Rock Dam.  One morning with the birds and I was hooked!  My hobby has transitioned from photography to birding with a camera in hand.

What is your favorite bird?

Whichever one is in front of me. I really enjoy watching a birds and their habits.  I’ve been known to sit for a few hours watching them go about their routine.

What is your favorite birding / outdoor space?

Close to home, Maskunky Marsh, Mahaska County, Iowa is my go-to location.  I’ve observed 180 species of birds at that marsh.  It is a great migration stopover.

Do you have young birders in your family?

I do not have young birders in my family, however I volunteer in a kindergarten room each week and I have finding young birders in that room every week!

What motivated you to become an IAYB Board Member?

I have always prioritized volunteer time with organizations and activities that work with kids.  I love birds.  IAYB is a perfect mix of both.

Why do you feel exposing kids to birds and nature is important?

In my professional career and in my volunteer experiences I frequently work with kids who have heavy life experiences.  Birds and nature provide all of us a life-long way to find peace.  I appreciate that it is a tool that doesn’t require kids to have an adult to take them somewhere, or to have insurance, or to leave home.  House Sparrows in the corner of a parking can even provide that peace.

Thanks to an Education Grant from Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) fund, Iowa Young Birders is seeking applications for an Education Program Intern based in Ames, Iowa. This position will coordinate the organization’s at-home summer birding program, which will include distributing materials and prizes to program participants, developing educational materials for the program, and outreach about the program with potential participants. The position will also be an integral part of the IAYB staff, assisting with planning and leading field trips and other special events, contributing to our social media calendar, and developing other educational materials as needed. 

Preferred qualifications for this internship include:

• Work towards a Bachelor’s degree in outdoor education, recreation, natural resources interpretation, or other related field.

• Excellent communication (both written and verbal) and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks.

• Experience with Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Excel, Word) and Google Suite (e.g., Docs, Forms).

• Knowledge of and experience with various social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

• Passion for and ability to work with youth (ages 5-18).

• Passion for the outdoors.

• Knowledge of and ability to identify Iowa birds are preferred but not required.

A valid driver’s license and ability to to pass a State of Iowa background check are required for this position. This position will be remote but the preferred location is Ames, Iowa to facilitate coordination of the at-home summer birding program.

This position will be 20 hours per week starting as early as May 15, 2024 and finishing August 31, 2024. The hourly rate is $15.00 / hour.

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter outlining your experience and skills relevant to this position, and contact information for three references by email to Tyler Harms (tyler AT iowayoungbirders.org). The deadline to apply is March 15, 2024.

Anticipated Skill Development

• Nature education and outreach, field trip leadership 

• Youth education and outreach 

• Scientific communication with a lay audience in person, by virtual presentation, and via social media

• Nonprofit leadership and administration 

• Education programming development, coordination, and logistics

• Team based planning and cooperation 

• Presentation skills (optional)

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, 19 young birders, parents, grandparents, and friends gathered at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City to search for early spring migrants. The morning temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit and the occasional snow flurry made it challenging to think of spring, but the birds didn’t let the weather stop them and neither did we!

Our first spring migrant, an Eastern Phoebe, appeared before we even finished introductions. It perched low along the edge of the woods for a brief look before disappearing into the understory. We also enjoyed a pair of Eastern Bluebirds moving about among the trees and a brightly colored American Robin vocalizing in a tree right above our heads!

As we started down the first part of the trail, we stopped to appreciate the many singing birds we could hear including Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, and White-throated Sparrows. A keen-eyed participant then spotted a group of warblers high in the trees, and we were able to identify some exciting early spring migrants: two Orange-Crowned Warblers amongst a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Much to our delight, we were able to watch up to 12 Yellow-rumped Warblers foraging on the trail right in front of us. Unlike with many warbler species, we were able to get amazing looks at them through the scope as they picked at food among the gravel and leaves. 

Hickory Hill Park is home to many breeding woodland birds, and we took a few minutes to examine the various nest holes we could see. We were amazed at how perfectly round many of the holes were and learned about the differences between primary cavity nesters (which build their own nest cavities) and secondary cavity nesters (which use holes and cavities they find, but don’t build themselves.) As we moved on from the nest cavities we were able to get fleeting glimpses of a crow-sized bird flying ahead of us along the trail; a Pileated Woodpecker, almost on cue for our discussion about nest cavities! 

Shortly after, we saw a raptor soar through the trees. It was an adult Cooper’s Hawk, and we watched on while it paused for a moment in its nest before flying down and joining its mate in a nearby tree! The pair took a few moments to copulate and then sat side by side on the same limb, giving everyone an opportunity to see them close up in the scope before they relocated, providing even better looks! 

As we began to head back to the parking area, we came across a flock of White-throated Sparrows that obligingly paused in the trees above us so we could admire their crisp patterns. We took this opportunity to practice our “pishing” and watched in delight as more and more sparrows emerged from the brush. Suddenly, a larger bird darted from bush to bush, pausing only briefly to reveal itself as a Hermit Thrush. As we wrapped up our trip we took some time to learn the “peter-peter-peter” and single note songs of the Tufted Titmouse. We were greeted in the parking area by the resident Eastern Bluebirds before taking a group photo and saying goodbye. Despite the not-so-spring-like conditions, we were able to see and hear many of the cornerstone species of Iowa forests and as always, enjoy the wonderful companionship of fellow birders.

We are grateful to volunteer leader Jim Kettlekamp for his keen eyes and local expertise on the trip. Thanks also to the young birders and their families who helped make this a fun morning! You can view photos from our morning here and our eBird checklist here.

On Friday, February 3, 2023, we returned to beautiful Northern Minnesota for a weekend of winter birding in the famous Sax-Zim Bog and other nearby areas. A total of 9 young birders, parents, and supporters joined us for what turned out to be a fantastic two days of learning, friendship, and great birds!

Our group at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center, February 4, 2023

We arrived in Duluth, Minnesota (our base camp) on Friday afternoon and, after a quick welcome and introductions, loaded our van to head north to Sax-Zim Bog. Our target - a Northern Hawk Owl that was being seen consistently along the eastern edge of the Bog. Approximately 45 minutes later, we were looking at a Northern Hawk Owl perched at the very top of a tree. Our spotting scopes provided great looks of this very cooperative bird. While admiring and photographing this bird, we learned that the Northern Hawk Owl is unique among other owls in the feather structure of their wings. Most owls, which hunt at night, have modified feathers on the front edge of their wings that alter the air flow over their wings and allow them to fly silently. The Northern Hawk Owl, however, does not have this modified feather structure because they hunt primarily during the day. After viewing the owl, we took a sunset drive through the Bog and found a Ruffed Grouse perched high in a tree eating buds at sunset. Two life birds for almost everyone in the van on the first day is not a bad start to our weekend!

Viewing the Northern Hawk Owl in Sax-Zim Bog, February 3, 2023

We had an ambitious agenda for Saturday with hopes of seeing many new species, so we arose early to head back to the Bog. We started our day shortly after sunrise at the feeders near Yellow-bellied Bog. Here, we were treated to fantastic views of several Evening Grosbeaks visiting the feeders, looking stunning in the morning sun. We also saw both Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, offering a nice opportunity to observe the size difference between these two visually-similar species. After watching for about 10 minutes, a small group of Pine Grosbeaks arrived, another target species for our day. Several American Goldfinches were also visiting the feeders, which are always a treat to see. Our next stop was the feeders along Arkola Road, where we added Canada Jay (our third target species of the day) and Black-capped Chickadee to our list along with Red Squirrel, a life mammal for most in the van. 

Sunrise in Sax-Zim Bog at the Yellow-bellied Bog feeders, February 4, 2023

The Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center is usually a hub of bird activity, so we stopped there next. The highlights of this stop included a small group of Pine Siskins at the feeders behind the Welcome Center (a new species for our list) as well as a singing female Pine Grosbeak (female Pine Grosbeaks can and will sing occasionally, unlike many other songbirds). Also present at the feeders here were several Evening Grosbeaks, Canada Jays, American Goldfinches, Black-capped Chickadees, and Red Squirrels. Next, we took a leisurely drive through the Bog, searching for owls and other birds while en route to Mary Lou’s feeders. Common Ravens were present throughout the Bog and kept us interested on our drives from one stop to the next. We arrived at Mary Lou’s feeders to find a large flock of Wild Turkeys, an unexpected bird for our day. The turkeys were very entertaining as they hopped up to grab some seed from the hanging feeders and scoured the ground for any spilled waste seed. We also had a quick glimpse of a Pileated Woodpecker at a suet feeder before it retreated to the nearby woods. We departed Mary Lou’s feeders for lunch, but stopped along the way for not one but two Northern Shrikes, one of which was very cooperative and allowed everyone great looks through our spotting scopes.

Young birder photographing one of two Northern Shrikes, February 4, 2023

After lunch, we traveled back to the Welcome Center for the opportunity to purchase some souvenirs and to search for a Boreal Chickadee that was being consistently seen along the Gray Jay Way trail. While in the Welcome Center, we were treated to a great impromptu program on raptor wings and talons from naturalists Sarah and Jake. We were super grateful for their time and for sharing their knowledge with us! We then commenced our hike along the snowy Gray Jay Way back to the feeders where the Boreal Chickadee was last seen. Upon arriving, we waited only five minutes for the bird to arrive high in the tree, later flying down to eye level for a great view. We finished our day in search of another life mammal for most, the elusive Porcupine. Thanks to some hot intel from other young birder supporters in the Bog, we finally located snoozing Porcupine high in a tree near the Arkola Road feeders.

Naturalist Sarah Wood with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory teaches us about raptor wings and talons at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center, February 4, 2023

Having had such a great day in the Bog on Saturday, we decided to try our luck searching for Bohemian Waxwings and Spruce Grouse along the north shore of Lake Superior first thing Sunday morning. We ventured north towards the town of Two Harbors. Once there, we chased several large waxwing-looking flocks with no luck on Bohemian Waxwings. We did, however, find an extremely cooperative Pileated Woodpecker. We then drove north to Superior National Forest hoping for a Spruce Grouse. Although we didn’t have luck with a grouse, we did enjoy some fabulous scenery in the snowy forest and stumbled into a small flock of Common Redpolls on the drive back to Two Harbors. Once back in Duluth, we decided to try for a Snowy Owl that was being seen consistently at the Duluth airport. We had great looks of the owl (an apparent young female) and a bonus Northern Shrike. What a great way to end a great weekend!

Young birders excited about Common Redpolls! February 5, 2023

Many thanks to the young birders, parents, and supporters who joined us on this weekend adventure, especially young birder supporters Francis Moore and Tom Schilke who were great mentors to our young birders throughout the weekend. Thanks also to Associate Director Jayden Bowen for his leadership and coordination throughout the weekend. And lastly, thanks to Sarah Wood and Jake Behrens with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory for staying late at the Welcome Center to teach us about raptor wings!

Click here to view more photos from our trip.

Thanks to an Education Grant from Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) fund, Iowa Young Birders is seeking applications for an Education Program Intern based in Ames, Iowa. This position will coordinate the organization’s at-home summer birding program, which will include distributing materials and prizes to program participants, developing educational materials for the program, and outreach about the program with potential participants. The position will also be an integral part of the IAYB staff, assisting with planning and leading field trips and other special events, contributing to our social media calendar, and developing other educational materials as needed. 

Preferred qualifications for this internship include:

• Work towards a Bachelor’s degree in outdoor education, recreation, natural resources interpretation, or other related field.

• Excellent communication (both written and verbal) and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks.

• Experience with Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Excel, Word) and Google Suite (e.g., Docs, Forms).

• Knowledge of and experience with various social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

• Passion for and ability to work with youth (ages 5-18).

• Passion for the outdoors.

• Knowledge of and ability to identify Iowa birds are preferred but not required.

A valid driver’s license and ability to to pass a State of Iowa background check are required for this position. This position will be remote but the preferred location is Ames, Iowa to facilitate coordination of the at-home summer birding program.

This position will be 20 hours per week starting as early as May 15, 2023 and finishing August 31, 2023. The hourly rate is $15.00 / hour. There is a possibility of extending this position into the academic year with a smaller hourly commitment (5-10 hours per week) depending on performance and available funding.

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter outlining your experience and skills relevant to this position, and contact information for three references by email to Tyler Harms (tyler AT iowayoungbirders.org). The deadline to apply is February 28, 2023.

Anticipated Skill Development

• Nature education and outreach, field trip leadership 

• Youth education and outreach 

• Scientific communication with a lay audience in person, by virtual presentation, and via social media

• Nonprofit leadership and administration 

• Education programming development, coordination, and logistics

• Data collection and outcome analysis 

• Team based planning and cooperation 

• Presentation skills (optional)