"Go Wild, Go Birding!" on Migratory Bird Day

The 2011 International Migratory Bird Day poster.

May 6, 2011

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Grand Teton National Park will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) with a bird-watching caravan on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Park ranger naturalist Andrew Langford will visit areas throughout the park that provide excellent opportunities to locate, identify, and record birds as part of the North American Migration Count. The free activity begins at 8 a.m. in the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at Moose and finishes by 4 p.m. at Christian Pond near Jackson Lake Lodge. Reservations are not required.

Anyone interested in birds is welcome to participate in the annual bird count and bird-watching excursion hosted by Grand Teton. Throughout the day, participants will take short walks at various locations, so those attending should wear comfortable shoes and bring a lunch, drinking water, warm clothing and rain gear. Bird field guides, binoculars and spotting scopes are also recommended items.

“Go Wild, Go Birding!” serves as the theme for the 2011 IMBD observance. This declaration highlights an attempt to engage new audiences—young people and adults alike—in learning about bird-watching and bird conservation. Participants in Saturday’s bird-watching caravan will learn about the latest programs and activities designed to create new enthusiasts and introduce them to birding as a worthwhile and pleasant pastime. Participants will also gain basic skills and techniques for identifying birds by their size, plumage and calls.

Observed each year in May to celebrate and support bird conservation, IMBD serves as the hallmark outreach event for Partners in Flight—an international conservation program whose goal is to reverse declining populations of migratory birds by bringing attention to factors that may contribute to worldwide declines. This year marks the 21st anniversary for Partners in Flight.

For more information about International Migratory Bird Day and the North American Migration Count, please call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399. Participants of the IMBD activity are reminded that park entrance stations are open; therefore, they will need to present a park pass to travel through these entrance gates.

Grand Teton to Offer Special Programs in June

June 22, 2010
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Each year, Grand Teton National Park ranger naturalists endeavor to provide special programs that offer unique experiences for visitors; these programs are designed to augment the regularly scheduled ranger-led programs listed in the park’s newspaper, Teewinot. Five such programs are scheduled for the end of June. In addition, park visitors can get a temporary loan of a “naturalist family backpack,” and use its contents to learn about the natural world while exploring Grand Teton. Backpacks are available at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center (CTDVC).

The schedule for special programs includes:
Friday, June 25: Bird Walk, 7 a.m. (approximately two hours). Explore a rich riparian habitat to locate birds and observe their behavior. Meet at the Jackson Lake Dam parking lot. All levels of bird identification and knowledge are welcome. Binoculars and/or spotting scopes encouraged. Reservations are recommended, call 307.739.3594.

Saturday, June 26: Full Moon Hike, 10 p.m. (approximately one hour). Join rangers for an easy, moonlit walk along Colter Bay lakeshore and learn about Native American myths and legends about the moon. Meet at the Colter Bay Visitor Center flagpole. Group size limited; reservations are required, call 307.739.3399.

Monday, June 28: Canoe on Jackson Lake, 7:30 a.m. (approximately three hours). Enjoy a relaxing morning by paddling along the shores of Colter Bay and Jackson Lake. Meet at the Colter Bay marina. Canoe rentals are available at the marina or visitors can bring their own canoe or kayak. Group size and rentals are limited; reservations are required, call 307.739.3399.

Wednesday, June 30: Evening Bird Walk, 7 p.m. (approximately two hours or until dusk). Enjoy an evening of bird watching along the Snake River. Meet at Schwabacher's Landing parking area. All levels of bird identification and knowledge are welcome. Binoculars and/or spotting scopes encouraged. Reservations are recommended, call 307.739.3399.

Wednesday, June 30: Global Climate Change Talk, 9 p.m. (approximately 1 hour) in the Colter Bay Amphitheater. National Weather Service Meteorologist Arthur Meunier will talk about large-scale changes in weather and describe how those global changes may affect or influence the plants, animals and other resources throughout Grand Teton and across the State of Wyoming. For information, call 307.739.3594.

Naturalist Family Backpacks: Pakc activities focus on the artistic and creative talents of Olaus and Mardy Murie. Each backpack contains all the supplies needed for watercolor painting, pencil sketching, track castings, and outdoor journaling as well as information about the Muries and their lives, which were devoted to the conservation of natural resources. The packs are funded by a grant from the Center of Wonder—an organization dedicated to supporting educational programs integrating nature with the arts. Backpacks can be checked out from the CTDVC anytime after 8 a.m. and must be returned by 6:30 p.m.

Visitors and local residents are invited to join park ranger naturalists to experience these new and exciting activities. For more information, call 307.739.3399, or stop by the CTDVC near park headquarters at Moose.

Children in Nature Multicultural Program Scheduled for the Summer

Latino students learned about park wildlife and examined animal pelts in the spring sessions of Pura Vida en Grand Teton NP.

June 7, 2010

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In collaboration with Teton Science Schools, Grand Teton National Park will continue a multicultural program designed to connect local Latino students with nature. Two inaugural sessions for the Children in Nature Multicultural Engagement Program— called Pura Vida en Grand Teton National Park—took place in late March and early April. Participants will get an opportunity to explore, and learn about the park and its natural and cultural resources during summer sessions scheduled for June 14-18, August 2-6 and August 16-20.

The Children in Nature Multicultural Engagement Program received support through a target project called America’s Best Idea Grants and acquired funding from a generous matching grant provided by the National Park Foundation (NPF), Grand Teton National Park Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.

The summer sessions of Pura Vida en Grand Teton National Park will bring together approximately ten middle school, as well as three high school students who will serve as mentors. Prior to each week, youth mentors will meet with Teton Science Schools’ staff to ensure that they learn the skills and get the support needed to mentor younger students.

At the start of each weeklong session, students will watch a short video titled This is America which highlights the Ken Burns documentary film, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. This program will be shown at 10:15 a.m. and is also open to the general public. Students will then spend the remainder of each week exploring Grand Teton, learning about park resources and operations, and becoming acquainted with the many occupations and duties required to run the park. Students will participate in various activities from canoeing and meeting horses used by backcountry patrol rangers, to learning about wildlife and taking a behind the scenes tour of the park administration building and the operational facilities located in the headquarters area. The week will conclude with a picnic celebration for the students and their parents.

Ken Burns’ documentary on national parks served as a catalyst for the Children in Nature Multicultural Engagement Program. The landmark film inspired the NPF to establish an America’s Best Idea Grants program. Through matching grants, the NPF hopes to reach traditionally underserved groups and empower them to create strong, lasting bonds of stewardship with our treasured lands—continuing a tradition of diverse Americans working together to preserve and enhance the legacy of national parks.

Grand Teton’s Pura Vida program was specifically created to reach out to the Latino population in the park’s gateway communities, introduce Latinos to Grand Teton’s recreational opportunities and unique resources, and provide leadership development and mentoring opportunities to middle school and high school students. The spring sessions were instrumental in introducing students and their parents to the many features of Grand Teton and the value of experiencing the park’s wildlife and beauty. Six middle school and nine high school students participated during the March and April sessions.

For those interested in registering for one of the summer programs, please contact Teton Science Schools Registrar Judy Herman at 307.734.5659. For more information on the Children in Nature Multicultural Engagement Program, or other park educational outreach efforts, please contact Susanne McDonald at 307.739.3656.