Education

Programs

Salem Audubon's education offerings include Traveling Education Programs focused on elementary school classrooms, short courses for Beginning Birders, and a series of two-hour Sessions focused on particular bird groups.

The Traveling Education Programs can be tailored to fit any age group and are available to various audiences, including public libraries, civic groups, retirement homes, and service organizations.

Thanks to the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District and their generous support, the Traveling Education Programs can be free to schools and school-affiliated groups if a Traveling Program Scholarship Application form is submitted.

Other groups will be charged $45 per program. In addition, any Group doing the Build a Nest Box program will be charged $10 per nest box to cover the cost of materials.

To apply for your program for free, CLICK HERE to download a Traveling Program Scholarship application form.

Traveling Education Programs

These programs provide students with real-world examples and are designed to comply with many of the Next Generation Science Standards. To schedule a program, email Mary Ritter, Education Coordinator, marycr1@outlook.com.

Birds in Hand

How do birds differ from us? Students answer this question by examining bird specimens, feathers, wings, and nests.  Discussion focuses on flight mechanics, bird anatomy, and basic bird identification.  Programs can be adjusted to all grade levels, and students will learn to use field guides.

Bird Identification –
Classroom Introduction

Birds have very distinctive characteristics – if you know what to look for. A PowerPoint presentation will teach students about plumage, flight, behavior, and habitat. In addition, the class includes an introduction to field guides and has a related art activity. This program is suitable for grades 2-5.

Build a Nest Box

Many birds build nests inside the natural cavities that are disappearing as we continue to develop the land. A well-constructed nest box provides birds a safe place to raise their young. By assembling a wooden nest box, students learn about cavity-nesting birds and invasive species, and how to place, monitor, and maintain the box. The class size for this program is limited to 30 students unless approved in advance by the presenter. An additional fee of $10 per nest box will be charged to cover the cost of materials. Students will take home their completed nest box.

River Otters

Oregon does have river otters, and students will enjoy learning about these cute, furry, and ferocious mammals through interactive lessons.

Owls

Our ancestors called owls "cats of the skies." Unique feather, eye, and ear adaptations make owls highly successful hunters. To see these fascinating features, students examine owl feathers, wings, talons, and preserved specimens. In addition, owl identification slides and recordings of owl calls are presented, as are opportunities to dissect owl pellets.

Bats

Bats have suffered from superstition and persecution since ancient times. This class introduces students to general bats and Oregon bats through slides and video excerpts.  Students will see graphically how bats have the same basic anatomy as humans but with some dramatic modifications.

Beavers 

Beavers are famous for their speed and thoroughness in altering their environments.  See how they construct dams, lodges, and even canals in the quest for building materials and food.  Learn about the extended families and how they leave their parents at two years of age and go on hazardous journeys to find and develop their home sites.  This program uses high-quality videos, poster boards, skulls, chewed branches, and a pelt.

Hummingbirds 

Participants learn about Oregon's incredibly interesting hummingbirds through engaging lessons and a culminating craft activity.

Woodpeckers 

Knock Knock! Who's there? It's Oregon's native woodpeckers, and they want to you to know all about them and their very special adaptations.