Bird Banding Course & Scholarship

2022 Bird Banding Course Scholarship About the scholarship: Alabama Audubon is offering full scholarships to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students and professionals to attend the six-day (19-24 September) beginner bird banding course at the Wehle Land Conservation Center in Midway, Alabama. This course will serve as an introduction to mist-netting and bird banding, and will be a combination of lectures and hands-on experience. This scholarship, made possible by funding from the National Audubon Society, aims to help increase the number of people from traditionally underrepresented groups in the bird banding community. Please see the separate flyer for more details on the course. The scholarship covers: the course fee, a Pyle guide, a printed copy of Froelich's guide, lodging, and a travel & food stipend. Up to five (5) scholarships will be awarded. Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school, and undergraduate/ graduate school in Alabama or the Southeast, as well as wildlife professionals, educators, and amateur birders with an interest in bird conservation and ecology can apply. No previous experience with bird handling or banding is necessary. How to apply: Please provide a short (~1 page) response to the questions below and send a pdf to Lianne Koczur at lianne@alaudubon.org by 20 August 2022. Include your full name and contact information. Please also have an academic advisor/supervisor/ colleague send a letter of recommendation. Scholarships will be awarded by 01 September. We understand that taking this course may result in missing classes. We suggest discussing this opportunity with your academic advisor and/or professors to ensure you will be able to miss classes if awarded a scholarship. We will provide a letter if needed for an excused absence. Tell us why you are interested in taking this course. What background or life experiences make you eligible for the scholarship? Where are you in your career development and what related experiences have you taken in pursuit of your goals (college course of study, workshops, etc.)? Please provide any other information you wish to share. Please email Lianne Koczur with any questions (lianne@alaudubon.org).