The 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will be held from February 12 – 15th. The GBBC is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are here in Colorado as well as all over the rest of the country. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from novice bird watchers to experts. Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online at www.birdcount.org. Each checklist submitted by these "citizen scientists" helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how the birds are doing—and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, participants turned in more than 93,600 checklists online, creating the continent's largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded.

For more information about the GBBC, visit www.birdcount.org. Or contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at (800) 843-2473 or (outside the U.S., call (607) 254-2473) or GBBC at Cornell University, or Audubon at Citizen Science at the Audubon Society or (202) 861-2242 ext 3050.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is made possible, in part, by generous support from Wild Birds Unlimited.

February 17, 2010
When: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Christiania at Vail in Sarah’s Lounge (Vail, CO)

Join Vail Symposium and National Audubon Society for an entertaining evening and cocktail reception in Vail, CO. Brian Rutledge (V.P of the Rocky Mountain Region, Audubon) will be giving a presentation on Audubon’s Role in the Challenging World of Sagebrush Conservation. Audubon thanks our partners and sponsors Vail Symposium and Antlers at Vail for helping to host this special evening. Please click here to view the invitation to this event which includes more details and a biography of Mr. Rutledge.

Space is Limited so please RSVP to www.VailSymposium.org or call (970) 476-0954

Our Special thanks to Antler's at Vail for sponsoring the Audubon staff’s participation by providing rooms for this event.

January 14, 2010
4:30 to 6 pm
Forest Room 5 (2532 15th Street, Denver, CO)

Join Audubon Colorado and FrontRange Earth Force for a fun and informative workshop. You will receive valuable tools and tips for educating urban youth (grades 4—12) on climate change and energy efficiency issues—including energy audit and carbon footprint tools, handouts and a CD with a sample curriculum. This event is FREE for teachers and other interested people.

*Appetizers will be provided/Cash Bar available

Please RSVP to Laurel at Audubon Colorado: 303-415-0130 or via email.

January 25, 2010
5:30pm to 8pm
1st Presbyterian Church
3940 27 1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO

Audubon Colorado, in collaboration with Grand Valley Audubon Society and National Wildlife Federation, will be hosting an interesting and timely workshop on climate change and its impact on Colorado’s natural resources. Learn how climate change may be impacting you, your land and your neighbors on the West Slope. Learn how to meaningfully engage in the debate and lend a hand at the local, regional and national level on natural resources issues.

At the workshop we’ll receive several up to date briefings on what’s happening around the nation and here in Colorado and make the connection with local activities and projects in the works. There will be time for discussion, and you will carry away with you useful information on how to reach key decision makers with your concerns about critical natural resource policy issues.

This will also be a great opportunity to meet and connect with other like-minded neighbors and Audubon members and to find out more about local and state Audubon activities of value to the Grand Valley.

Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

For more info or to RSVP contact Laurel Mattrey at 303-415-0130 or vis email.

Sponsored by Audubon Colorado, Grand Valley Audubon Society, and the National Wildlife Federation.