2019 4-H Bird Watching SPIN Club (Barry & Kalamazoo County)

What:  The 4-H Bird Watching SPIN Club is a series of classes where kids learn about our 'fine feathered friends' by:

• Use tools including binoculars, spotting scopes, identification guides and apps to improve our bird watching skills
• Hike, sketch, see birds of prey up close, and more
• Visit different habitats; explore your role in bird conservation

Classes provide a high-quality, positive learning experience via project-based, hands-on education. We hope to help kids discover that bird watching is a fun and rewarding activity and that they can have a positive stewardship role in bird conservation.  

This Bird Watching SPIN Club is taught by Kara Haas, Lisa Duke and Melinda Pepper. Kara is the Science Education and Outreach Coordinator at MSU's Kellogg Biological Station. She is a Michigan-raised naturalist and loves to take people outside to experience and learn about the natural world. Lisa Duke is the Manager at MSU's Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and is an experienced animal caretaker. Melinda Pepper is one of Barry County 4-H's educators and is responsible for organizing unique SPIN Clubs in the area. Together Kara, Lisa and Melinda are a fun team, passionate about birds and helping kids explore the outdoors. The instructors are also screened MSU Extension 4-H volunteers.

Cost:  $20 for 4-H members, $40 for new 4-H members. New 4-H members must enroll at https://mi.4honline.com upon acceptance to 4-H Bird Watching SPIN Club

Who:  Any youth in 1st - 6th grade (for the 2019 school year)

When:  June 25 & 27, July 1, 3, 9 & 11, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Where:  Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave., Augusta, MI 49012

About the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary: The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and through research, education, and outreach help people gain environmental awareness about our past, present and future. The property is open year round and has several miles of trails through wetland, lake, forest and restored prairie habitats. The Sanctuary is part of MSU's W.K. Kellogg Biological Station which is MSU's largest off-campus research and education complex. The Sanctuary has been committed to conservation and education since it opened in 1927. Today it is the cornerstone of the larger W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, MSU's largest off-campus research and education complex. Membership is available.  

Parents/Guardians: Please plan to attend class with your child if they are 14 or younger. Your role will be to support your young bird watcher during the program by learning alongside them, helping when needed and stepping back to let them figure things out when appropriate.