Introduce Your Kids to a Lifelong Pursuit!
|
The Beginning Birdwatcher’s Book by Sy Barlowe is an ideal introduction for kids to a hobby enjoyed by millions of people the world over. It provides information on and illustrations of 48 common birds and room to record sightings and observations!
Whether acting as scavengers, or controlling insect populations, birds are one of nature’s most wonderful creations. Just look at them! From the flickering, iridescent hummingbird to the soaring, majestic eagles, birds are marvels to behold!
There, perched on a branch, is a five-inch bird you haven’t seen before. It's identified as an American goldfinch by looking through the 48 birds pictured on the included stickers. By pasting the sticker of this 'newly-discovered' bird in its numbered space, and by adding some observations, this book becomes a permanent record of your kid's bird sightings. And the beginning of a "life-list"! Identifying birds not seen before—or ones seen every day but still 'unknown'—is a special kind of discovery and education.
And, with the holidays coming, the Beginning Birdwatching Book is a perfect gift for youngsters, and one that will keep on giving. Look for it in the Division of Wildlife's online store!
Schoolyard Habitat Grants
Start Process Now to Apply by March 1 |
Colorado teachers and students have worked on wetland creations, xeriscaping, windbreaks, nature trails, and urban wildlife habitat projects (and many, many others) around their schools thanks to the Division of Wildlife's Wild Colorado Schoolyard Habitat Grants program. Any Colorado educator trained in projects WILD, Water Education for Teachers (WET), or Learning Tree (PLT) is eligible to apply for up to $1000 for a schoolyard habitat project. (Projects must be student-led and student-oriented as part of the qualifying criteria.)
Read more about these grants and how to apply for one for your school.
Pledge to Keep Bears Wild!
Today, bears are sharing space with a growing human population. Curious, intelligent, and very resourceful, black bears will explore all possible food sources. If they find food near homes, campgrounds, vehicles, or communities, they’ll come back for more. Bears will work hard to get the calories they need, and can easily damage property, vehicles, and homes. Bears that become aggressive in their pursuit of an easy meal must often be destroyed.
Learn about things you can do around home to help reduce conflicts with bears; "bearproofing" your trash, bear deterrents, "unwelcome" mats, and more. Then, take the "Keep Bears Wild Pledge" and receive a window decal to display at your home.