Anybody headed to the SW for birding this winter/spring?  If so, check out this birding “game” in which birders can help scientists by visiting new areas to help fill information gaps on desert bird distributions.
Enjoy if you go!

Jay
—
Jay Carlisle
Research Director, Intermountain Bird Observatory
Associate Research Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University
Coordinator, Idaho Bird Conservation Partnership, IBCP on Facebook
http://works.bepress.com/jay_carlisle/

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Duberstein, Jennie
Date: Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 11:39 AM
Subject: Help Needed spreading the word about Desert Avicaching
To: SONOJV-L@listserv.uark.edu

Hi all!

On February 1, 2018 the Sonoran JointVenture, Point Blue Conservation Science, Great Basin Bird Observatory, theBureau of Land Management, and eBird are joining forces to launch thefirst-ever Desert Avicaching game.

 

Avicaching, originally created by theCornell of Ornithology, is simply eBird + the idea of Geocaching: searchingspecific locations to spot as many birds as possible. The data collected byAvicachers fill in gaps in knowledge and help guide management and conservationdecisions. Birders go designated eBird hotspots, observe birds, and submittheir checklists. The result? Avicachers get a fun new game to play whilebirding, and we get valuable data to help guide future bird monitoringand conservation efforts. Even better, everyone who plays has the chance to winprizes donated by Desert Avicaching sponsors.

 

The game runs from February 1, 2018through June 15, 2018. We will update the leaderboard weekly and will havemonthly drawings for prizes, as well as an overall winner at the end of the game (the more checklists you submit, the better chanceyou have of winning).

 

In order for this to be successful, weneed your help! We created a Social Media Toolkit (attached) with some ideas for promotingDesert Avicaching on your website, in your newsletter, and on your social mediachannels. Please feel free to adapt things as appropriate and share thisToolkit with anyone else who could help promote the game.

The game is being highlighted on the eBird blog today, and I’m writing to ask you to consider working this into your social media and communications calendar over the coming months. We’re making a big push next week since the game launches on February 1, but will be continuing to promote it until the game ends on June 15.

 

Thanks in advance for your help in spreading the word, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, need resources, or have issues accessing anything. 

Please forward this message to anyone who you think would be interested in playing the game or spreading the word!

Jennie

http://sonoranjv.org/ avicaching

— 
Jennie Duberstein, Ph.D.Coordinator/Coordinadora
Sonoran Joint Venture / Alianza Regional Sonorense738 North 5th Ave, Ste 102Tucson, AZ 85705Tel. (520) 882-0837Fax (520) 882-0370Cel (520) 269-9313Skype: canicas123
www.sonoranjv.orgwww.mexicobirdingtrail.org
Click here to subscribe to the SJV eBulletin!Haga clic aquí para suscribirse al eBoletín del SJV!

Conserving the unique birds and habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico / Conservando las aves y los hábitats excepcionales del suroeste de Estados Unidos y noroeste de México