Education

Audubon Arizona's "Science Takes Wing"

Thanks to a generous grant from Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative (ABCI), Audubon Arizona staff has been able to revamp the popular Science Takes Wing program. This program teaches common Arizona birds and is aligned to AZ state science standards for 6-8 grades. Two modules are currently available; the Central Arizona module focuses on common desert birds and the Northern Arizona module covers birds most likely to be seen in Arizona’s high country.

In addition to the Science Takes Wing lessons, Audubon Arizona offers binocular boxes to educators for free one week checkout. Boxes contain 22 binoculars, field guides, Science Takes Wing lessons, other teaching materials and the Science Takes Wing Bird Sounds PowerPoint CD (made with assistance from ASU’s “Ask a Biologist” Program).

To reserve a box, please contact the “Box Steward” in your area:

Flagstaff Box Steward:
Sapna Sopori, Willow Bend Environmental Ed Center, email, (928) 779-1745

Sierra Vista Box Steward:
Hank Huisking, Huachuca Audubon Society, email, (520) 458-8278

Pinetop-Lakeside Box Steward:
Mary Ellen Bittorf, White Mountain Audubon Society, email, (928) 201-8001

Phoenix Box Steward:
Brad Bostick, ASU Downtown-College of Teacher Preparation, email, 602-421-5025

South Phoenix Box Steward:
Cathy Wise, Rio Salado Audubon Center, email, (602) 468-6470

Download Science Takes Wing lessons here:

Science Takes Wing, Central Arizona Module
STW Bird Sounds PowerPoint Show, Central AZ

Science Takes Wing, Northern Arizona Module
STW Bird Sounds PowerPoint Show, Northern AZ

Arizona’s State Mammal, the Ringtail Cat

Bone Box Teacher Resources

Audubon Arizona is pleased to offer a “Bone Box” resource for free check-out. The Arizona Game and Fish Education Department assembled the boxes to facilitate lessons about Arizona’s mammals. The box contains laminated photographs, information cards, pelts and resin skulls of Arizona mammals including javelina, mountain lion, raccoon, beaver, ring-tail cat and more.

Educators can check out the box for one week intervals; you must both pick-up and drop off the box at our Phoenix office at Camelback Rd and 44th Street. If this is inconvenient, please contact Sharon Voiland at the Arizona Game and Fish Department at 623-236-7220 to learn about alternate locations. The Bone Box is quite popular, so please reserve in advance by contacting Cathy Wise at (602) 468-6470 or by email.

Mystery Mammal
Younger students enjoy this interactive activity.

“River Keepers” After-school Program

Audubon Arizona, with generous funding from REI and JP Morgan Chase Bank, is pleased to offer an exciting hands-on nature experience on the banks of the Salt River called “River Keepers”. We provide this program free of charge to students at South Phoenix after-school care facilities such as the Boys and Girls Club and Valley Christian Center.

Students aged 8-12 learn about various topics including birds, native plants, water quality and conservation over the four-week program period. Sessions are offered in both spring and fall. Pre-service teachers are invited to apply for internship positions, please note that preference will be given to South Phoenix residents.

For more information, please contact Cathy Wise via email.

“Water’s Changing Journey” (coming soon to the Rio Salado Audubon Center)

Visit the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center and experience rainwater’s journey to the river like never before! Our premier exhibit, funded by ADEQ and TogetherGreen, is entitled “Water’s Changing Journey” and explores the issue of non-point source pollution, also known as NPS. NPS is the leading cause of riparian pollution in the nation –so see what you can do about it.

Audubon at Home in Arizona

Happy New Year! Make your yard a welcoming place for birds and a more balanced part of the natural community in 2009 by incorporating the following tips:

• Eliminate (or reduce) pesticide use. Birds eat bugs! To learn more about sustainable pest control, click here.
• Conserve water by watering responsibly, planting to maximize rainfall harvest and using native plants that require less water. For National Audubon Society’s water-saving suggestions, click here.
• Protect water quality by disposing of pet wastes and other toxins properly. For more information on non-point source pollution, the leading cause of poor water quality in rivers, click here.
• Remove exotic plant pests. Did you know that some of our popular ornamental plants spread to wild areas and wreck havoc? Examples include fountain grass and tree of heaven. Learn more here.
• Plant natives! These plants require less care and offer cover and nutritional food for birds. Seek out a knowledgeable horticulturist for plant recommendations. There are native plants to fit just about any landscaping need. To view a list of Arizona plants with special value to desert wildlife, click here.

This list was compiled by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. All photos courtesy of the ASDM Sonoran Desert Digital Library. Specific photo credits: Yellow-rumped Warbler: Stephen Minter, Velvet Mesquite: Mark A. Dimmitt, Gulf Fritillary: Sarah Walls Wormsley.