We continue an extensive education effort through seminars, adult education sessions, and banding demonstrations. This allows us to share our research with thousands of people annually. We also place great emphasis on the environmental education of children.  The long-term survival of birds and their habitat is dependent upon the attitudes of the young people of today. The hands-on approach to educating children allows each child present to experience birds as living, breathing creatures deserving of our protection. Our banding stations at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve and both Riverbend Park and ?   Park in Catywaba County are open to the public. Every year we host over 700 guests at the banding stations. During these banding sessions the general public is exposed to all aspects of identification, behavior and habitat needs of the migratory species that we encounter. It is a treat for many visitors, of all ages, to have the chance to touch, hold and release many of these birds. Preserving the birds and their habitat is the mission of our statewide research.

During a program Susan Campbell and her team will demonstrate the process of hummingbird banding, a critical component of her research.

• See local Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and learn who we trap and handle the birds, as well as how we apply their tiny USFWS bands and collect data.
• You will witness, up close, all of the important elements of our specialized scientific research.
• Susan will share information gained to-date and answer your questions about hummingbirds during the event.
• Susan will not only talk about the activities of these birds in the wild but discuss important aspects of caring for hummingbirds on your property.
• We also discuss feeder selection, landscaping and other special considerations for attracting hummingbirds to your yard.

ADOPT-A-HUMMINGBIRD:
Those wishing to support Susan’s research in North Carolina will, for $20, have the privilege of “adopting” a hummingbird and, thus, release it following banding.