Birding By HaBitat Southeastern Arizona offers such excellent birding opportunities in part because of its variety of habitats. Elevation contrasts result in different temperature and moisture levels, which in turn make for different assemblages of plants and animals. Riparian areas support their own cast of avian characters. Come experience the fun of birding in different natural environments with instructor Lynn Hassler. One classroom session is followed by three field trips to different habitats: desert, riparian and Sky Island. Course limited to 12 participants.Classroom session: Saturday, April 13; 10:00 am–12:00 noonField trips: Saturdays, April 20, 27, May 4; TBA; Carpooling encouragedCost: $125 for members, $160 for non-membersLocation: TAS offices on University Blvd. and 5th Ave.

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moving to mastery This course is designed for adults with some birding experience and skills. Over a period of six weeks, learn to identify some of the more difficult species groups, how to use technical reference works, understand bird topography, and other detailed topics. This class will launch your birding knowledge onto a new plane! Course includes five 2-hour class sessions and five field trips. Taught by expert birder, Homer Hansen.Classroom sessions: Thursdays, October 18–November 15, 5:30–8:00 pmField trips: Saturdays, October 18–November 10, 7:00 am–5:00 pmCost: $250 for TAS members; $285 for non-membersLocation: TAS offices on University Blvd. and 5th Ave.

speCiaLty WorksHops These individual workshops focus on identification details of specific birding groups. Each workshop is comprised of a Wednesday evening classroom session followed by a Saturday field trip. Each course is limited to 10 participants. All workshops are taught by Homer Hansen. Warblers: August 23 & 25, 2012. Flycatchers: September 13 & 15, 2012Sparrows: February 7 & 9, 2013. Raptors: February 13 & 16, 2013.Birding by Ear: April 18 & 20, 2013.When: All classes held 5:30-8:30 pm. Field trip times TBD.Where: TAS offices on University Blvd. and 5th Ave. Field trip locations TBD.Cost: $110 per course for members; $145 per course for nonmembers, includes one year membership to Friends of Tucson Audubon.

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please visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/education for more information and to register for classes and workshops. or call us at 520-629-0510 x7012.

LiFeLong Birding seriesBeginners saturday morning BirdWaLks Learn the very basics of birdwatching and how to identify the backyard birds commonly seen in the Tucson area. A brief presentation is followed by a slow stroll around the ½-mile trail at the Mason Center. rESErvATiON rEQUirED. led by knowledgeable and experienced Tucson Audubon volunteers!When: Every Saturday! October–May: 8:00–9:30 amWhere: Tucson Audubon Mason Center, SW Corner of Thornydale and Hardy RoadsCost: FREE!Contact: Kara Kaczmarzyk at volunteer@tucsonaudubon.org; 520-629-0510 x7011 to reserve your space!

BaCkyard Birding and Beyond Open yourself up to the natural world by gaining skills and knowledge about birding that you can take with you into your backyard or to any corner of the globe! Topics to be covered include: principles of identification, binoculars and field guides, birding vocabulary and etiquette, local bird i.D. and lore, seasonal occurrence, family characteristics, and gardening to attract birds. you will learn firsthand why southeastern Arizona is such a great place for birds and why bird watching is so rewarding. Taught by Lynn Hassler, longtime birder, educator, and noted author. Course limited to 15 participants. Classroom sessions: Saturdays, January 12, 19 (no class Jan. 26), February 9, 16; 10:00 am–12:00 noonField trips: Saturdays, February 2, 23; 9:00 am; location TBACost: $150 for members, $185 for non-membersLocation: TAS offices on University Blvd. and 5th Ave.

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T u c s o n A u d u b o n ’ s E d u c A T i o n P r o g r A m s • 2 0 1 2 / 2 0 1 3 aduLt and FamiLy institutes in 2013 institute oF grassLand eCoLogy Join other nature enthusiasts and local experts during a four-day outdoor learning experience focusing on grassland ecosystems. Classes and activities emphasize the dynamic relationships among birds and other animals, plants, and the physical elements of grasslands. Registration is required and the cost includes a camping fee, instruction, and all meals from Thursday breakfast to Sunday lunch.Where: National Audubon Society Appleton-Whittell research Ranch, Elgin, AZWhen: Thursday, October 3–Sunday, October 6, 2013Cost: TBD.

FamiLy institute This weekend program for the entire family incorporates children’s activities into an atmosphere in which everyone can experience nature and learn together. tHe riparian FamiLy instituteThis program focuses on the rich plant and animal life found along the beautiful San Pedro river. One of the last free-flowing rivers joining Mexico and the United States, the San Pedro provides a green oasis in the desert, and is home to hundreds of species of plants, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.Where: At a site on the Lower San Pedro RiverWhen: TBACost: $260 for a family of four (price varies with number of family members)

Register online for all classes and workshops at www.tucsonaudubon.org/education. Contact Bete Pfister at bpfister@tucsonaudubon.org; 520-629-0510 x7012 for all education related questions. Thanks!

tuCson auduBon’s eduCation program brings top quality educational programs to its members and the general public. Each year Tucson Audubon offers a diversity of classes, workshops, the lecture series in Tucson and green valley, programs at the Mason Center, and other events that engage our community. We hope you will find a program just for you among our offerings and take part in a great new experience. These program listings are subject to change, and we continue to add new programs. Please check out the education page at www.tucsonaudubon.org for more details and contact Bete Pfister at bpfister@tucsonaudubon.org; 520-629-0510 x7012, with any questions.

youtH programs manzo eLementary Tucson Audubon is helping Manzo students design and build a pollinator garden as a part of their outdoor classroom. We will also develop standards based curriculum and a guidebook that can be used for any school that wants to create and integrate schoolyard habitat into their program.

sunnyside auduBon student urBan naturaList CLuB For the third year in a row, we will continue working with the students from Billy Lauffer Middle School to offer opportunities to learn about birds and birding in Southeast Arizona and to explore the varied habitat of our region.

river patHWays A new program, presented in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Audubon Arizona, River Pathways is geared towards presenting high school students with career options focused on resource management. Students learn about riparian ecology in the classroom and over the course of two field trips, learn riparian data monitoring protocols and collect data on BLM land.

resourCes For eduCators resourCe kits Tucson Audubon offers a variety of resource kits for teachers and other education professionals to use for their education programs, free of charge. Most of these kits are geared for children in 1st through 6th grades, but they may be adapted for other ages. Kits are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and may be checked out for up to two weeks at a time. Advanced reservations are recommended. Educators are responsible for repairing/ replacing lost or damaged materials.Hands-on Materials: Binoculars, Bird Specimens, Bird Nests, SkullsHands-on Materials & Curriculum: Desert Birding in Arizona with a Focus on Urban Birds*, Arthropodantics*, Arthropod Adventures, Bats, Herps, Botany Basics, Saguaro Story, Desert Adaptations, Mammal Skulls, Tracks and Scat, ironwood: Trees of life, and Plant iD: learning to Use a Key (*Curriculum is also in pdf format and may be downloaded from the Tucson Audubon Education Program webpage)

visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/education to find out more about Tucson Audubon’s education programs

and to register onLine for classes. Or, call 520-629-0510 x 7012.

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Living WitH nature LeCture seriesThis series takes place in Tucson and green valley, serving as the monthly Tucson Audubon meeting for each location. Each program features a slideshow presentation on birding or local ecological topics. This is a great opportunity to hear about upcoming events and current issues in birding, and to meet and mingle with members! No reservations required. Free admission and open to the public.

tuCson When: Second Monday of every month, October–May, 7:00–9:00 pmWhere: Pima Community College Downtown Campus, Amethyst room, 1255 N. Stone Ave.

green vaLLey When: First Saturday of each month, October–April, 10:00 amWhere: Joyner-green valley library, 601 N. la Canada Dr.

Contact: Bete Pfister at bpfister@tucsonaudubon.org; 629-0510 x7012

Check www.tucsonaudubon.org for the current season’s schedule.

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Citizen sCienCeBecome a citizen scientist with Tucson Audubon! Throughout the year, we will provide you with opportunities to contribute to bird conservation on a local, regional, national and international scope!

Christmas Bird Count • december 14, 2012 to january 5, 2013! This is the longest running citizen science project in the world! The National Audubon Society has conducted Christmas bird counts since 1900! For one day, record every bird species and individual bird encountered within a designated 15-mile circle. See http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count for more information.

Great BaCkyard Bird Count • February 15–18, 2013 Anyone can participate from beginning bird watchers to experts! it takes as little as 15 minutes on one day! it’s free, fun, and easy – and it helps the birds! See: www.birdcount.org for more information.

tuCson Bird Count • april 15–may 15 volunteer birders adopt a route of 10 stops and record all of the birds they see and hear for five minutes on any morning of their choice. The goal is to determine how we can make urban habitat more hospitable to wildlife. See our website for more information.

tep reporting Help protect our urban birds of prey by reporting nest locations of Cooper’s hawks, harris’s hawks, red-tailed hawks or great horned Owls and electrocutions to TEP at 520-623-7711 and/or Dr. Bill Mannan at the U of A; 520-621-7283 or mannan@ag.arizona.edu. TEP will safe-guard any pole within 100 meters of a nest in an effort to prevent electrocutions!

eBird Record the birds you see. Enter your sightings in an electronic database. Explore dynamic maps and graphs. Share your sightings with an international community of birders. Contribute to science and conservation! See www.ebird.org for more information.

ðNew VeNue!