Training and Workshops
International Ornithological Training
Many of “our” Canadian birds are long-distance migrants, and spend more time each year on Neotropical wintering grounds than they do with us. The health of “our” bird populations hinges on the health of their wintering areas. With subtropical and tropical habitats under intense pressure, we need to foster good conservation and research throughout the Neotropics, and it is critical that there is local capacity to carry out as much of this work as possible. Conservation in the Neotropics will be most effectively advanced through grassroots efforts, based upon information gathered by well-trained conservation biologists.
In 1995, Birds Canada, in association with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service, launched Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO)’s Latin American Training Program. This project enables talented Latin American biologists to spend an entire month or more at LPBO, refining their field and teaching skills. Then they return to their home countries to share their learning. LPBO also helps organize and deliver training workshops in the Neotropics as opportunities allow. To date, LPBO has trained more than 150 individuals from 15 countries.
For more information, please contact Long Point Bird Observatory at lpbo@birdscanada.org
Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’ Workshop (YOW)
Every year we invite promising young ornithologists from across Canada to experience nature and ornithology firsthand in a research-oriented setting. “YOWs” enjoy a wide range of hands-on natural history and scientific activities with a focus on bird banding and migration monitoring at Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) in southern Ontario. Space is limited to six participants per workshop, ranging in age from 13-17 years of age. Two workshops will run for the 2024 season. The first session will run August 4-11 and the second will run August 18-25, 2024.
LPBO has been conducting youth training workshops since 1975 and established the Doug Tarry Natural History Fund and Young Ornithologists’ Workshop & Internships in 1991 thanks to the generosity and foresight of the humanitarian and naturalist, Doug Tarry. The workshops have since nurtured the interests and skills more than 200 of Canada’s best and brightest scientists, field biologists, and naturalists. The cost of the workshop is $500/person, which is heavily subsidized by funding provided by Long Point Bird Observatory and the Doug Tarry Natural History Fund. The fee covers all direct costs of the workshop (accommodation, meals, workshop travel, equipment and materials, special activities while at Long Point, and professional staff with a 2:1 Participant to Instructor ratio at all times). Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Long Point, but pickups at the nearest airport/train stations can be arranged.
Prospective participants should complete the application form, and send via email to lpbo @ birdscanada.org. Applications are due by April 30.
Young Ornithologists’ Internship
Month-long student internships are available to youth ages 13-17 with clearly demonstrated interests in field ornithology. Interns are often graduates of LPBO’s YOW, but it is not necessary. Each August-September, one or more interns spend three to four weeks at LPBO, assisting with all aspects of LPBO operations to further develop their skills and work alongside biologists from around the world. Interns are also encouraged to design and conduct an independent field research project with the help of LPBO staff and cooperators.
Prospective participants of the internship should email Long Point Bird Observatory at lpbo @ birdscanada.org by April 30.
Other opportunities for youth in Canada:
Beaverhill Bird Observatory’s Geoff Holroyd Young Ornithologists’ Workshop is offered in August and located near Edmonton, Alberta.
Ontario Field Ornithologists’ Alan Wormington Young Birder Camp is offered in August at Algonquin Park, Ontario.
Bird Protection Québec will provide financial assistance to Québec teens wishing to attend either the Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’ Workshop in Long Point or the Observatoire d’oiseaux de Tadoussac and Regroupement Québec Oiseaux Ornithology Camp offered in August at Tadoussac, Québec. For information visit https://pqspb.org/bpqpoq/bpq-funding-for-teens-to-attend-bird-banding-camps/.
Check out the links above for more information about each workshop, including application requirements and deadlines.