Events

Contact us for info on joining any of these events- all levels of experience are welcome!

JANUARY 1 - APRIL 30, 2024: BREEDING BIRD SURVEY SIGN-UP PERIOD

Sign up now for surveys to be conducted in June and July. Calling all birders! Please consider contributing your skills to long-term monitoring of bird populations in Wyoming. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking volunteers to adopt survey routes throughout Wyoming as part of the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Begun in 1966, the BBS is North America’s longest running coordinated monitoring program for breeding birds. The long-term information on the bird population trends provided by BBS is more important than ever as many species of birds – both rare and common – face continent-wide declines.

Surveys for the program are done primarily by volunteers from the birding community and natural resource agency personnel. Several longtime volunteers have recently retired, leaving vacant routes across the state, and we are looking for new birders to join our team. We currently have only 74 of 107 routes (69%) covered in Wyoming, which leaves gaps in our understanding of the status of important bird species and regional habitats in the state. Each survey consists of an approximately 25-mile route with 50 stops that is conducted during a single morning in June or early July. The emphasis is on tracking populations of breeding birds, rather than rarities, so birders with moderate skill levels are encouraged to participate. Volunteers can adopt a route in their region or use the BBS as an excuse to visit a new part of the state. Please consider donating one day of birding per year to support this essential monitoring effort!

Contact Courtney Rudd (courtney.rudd@wyo.gov, 307-335-2635) or Zach Wallace (zach.wallace1@wyo.gov, 307-335-2613) at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to learn more about registering for a route (or two). In order to ensure timely delivery of survey packets, please let us know if you are interested by May 1. Additional information about the survey, including results from previous years and a map of routes can be found at: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/

APRIL 2024: SPRING FIELD TRIPS

Tuesday Lander City Park Bird Walks, April 2 - 23 at 7:30am

Meet at the Fremont Street parking lot on Tuesday mornings for a bird walk through Lander's City Park to look for resident and migratory birds. Bring binoculars if you have them. If you'd like more information, send an email to RedDesertAudubon@gmail.com. 

American Dipper by Joe Austin

 

APRIL 2, 2024: NATIVE PLANT MONTH & STUDENT POSTER CONTEST

Governor Gordon has proclaimed April as Native Plant Month! To celebrate, The Wyoming Native Plant Society is hosting a poster contest for students in 6th-8th grade. Details available at: The Wyoming Native Plant Society website

APRIL 20, 2024: LANDER GARDEN EXPO 

Saturday from 9am to 3pm at the Lander Valley High School. This FREE family-friendly event features a trade show and educational workshops. The trade show vendor booths display the latest and greatest offerings of info, products, and services. Visit our table for info on Landscaping for Wildlife. All are welcome at the trade show, but workshop class sizes may be limited. Details available through the Popo Agie Conservation District

Workshops include: Attracting Hummingbirds, Edible Foraging in the Winds, Gardening Myth Busters Panel, and more.

MAY 2024: WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY & GLOBAL BIG DAY

Local Date TBA. World Migratory Bird Day celebrates one of the natural wonders of the world – bird migration! Be a part of birding’s biggest team! Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, join us virtually and share the birds you find with eBird.

Participating is easy—you can even be part of Global Big Day from home. If you can spare 5 or 10 minutes, report your bird observations to eBird online or with the free eBird Mobile app. If you have more time, submit checklists of birds throughout the day.

JULY 26 to SEPTEMBER 7, 2024:  THE 44th ANNUAL RED DESERT AUDUBON ART SHOW 

Summer Residents by Laney, 2023 Best of Show Winner

 Opening reception: July 26. Celebrate Wyoming's flora and fauna at the Red Desert Audubon Art Show! Artists can submit applications for entry via the Lander Art Center. 

FALL/WINTER 2024: BOARD MEMBER NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS 

The Red Desert Audubon Society election for officer positions takes place annually, typically in December. Current members are eligible to vote. Voting takes place via an online poll that is emailed to members. 

A list of current officer and chair positions is available under our Contact Us webpage. If you are interested in serving as an officer or chair, including if you see a need or opportunity for a new position, please send a brief biography explaining why you are interested to evacrane@wyoming.com so we can include you on the ballot. We encourage participation by people of any background who have an interest in birds and time to devote to the society.

DECEMBER/JANUARY:  THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT  

Join us for the Christmas Bird Count! Founded by the National Audubon Society in 1900, this event is the longest-running citizen science survey in the world. Identify and count all the birds you can in a defined area on a single day between the dates of December 15th and January 4th. People new to birding are welcome and will be paired with more experienced bird watchers. Come explore what birds make Wyoming their home through the winter months. Counts take place in our region of Wyoming in the communities of Dubois, Evanston, Green River, Lander, Pinedale, and Riverton.

Common Redpoll by Susan Drury/Audubon

FEBRUARY: THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

Take part in a global effort via the Great Backyard Bird Count! Join your fellow community scientists by counting the birds you see for at least 15 minutes on 1 or more days of the count. Enter your bird list and find more information at birdcount.org.

Black-capped Chickadee by Colleen Dubois/Audubon