Grab your binoculars it's Birdathon time! On Saturday May 20, birdwatchers from Bennington to Bakersfield will unite throughout the state for an extraordinary day of fundraising to support the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS).
VINS' research programs will benefit from money raised by birdwatchers during the twenty-second annual Birdathon, which runs all day anywhere birds are found.
A birdathon is like a walkathon. Participants collect pledges for every bird species they identify instead of every mile they walk. Birders of all ages and experience levels are invited to join the fun. Birdathoners sign up sponsors family, friends, colleagues, businesses and, on one day only, wherever they choose and for whatever length of time they want, find as many bird species as possible. Every species counts. Sponsors who pledge at least $25 will receive a complimentary VINS membership. All pledges are tax deductible. Sponsor forms are available at VINS, (802) 457-2779. The rain date is Sunday, May 21.
The money raised helps support VINS' mission: protecting Vermont's natural heritage through education and research by engaging individuals and communities in the active care of their environment. VINS researchers study and protect peregrine falcons, common loons, and migrating songbirds. The organization's environmental programs bring the natural sciences to life for more than 13,000 Vermont children in more than 70 schools statewide through the Environmental Learning for the Future (ELF), Environmental Citizenship, and Small Wonders programs.
"The Birdathon is a VINS tradition," said Executive Director Sherman Kent. "It's a way for birdwatchers to do what they love while supporting both the environment and their community."
Vermonters who can't tell a starling from a sparrow can still participate by sponsoring a VINS staff team of Birdathoners. Call (802) 457-2779 for details.
Any Birdathoner who signs up sponsors and mails in a completed sponsor form will become a VINS member. Birdathon participants are eligible for t-shirts and prizes, including binoculars, gift certificates and bird feeders. The birder who raises the most money for VINS will be honored with the Olin Sewall Pettingill Jr. Award, named for the renowned ornithologist. The Birdathoner's name will be inscribed on a plaque at the base of a bird carving donated by Vermont artist Floyd Scholz and kept on display at VINS in Woodstock.
The Birdathoner or team finding the greatest number of species in Vermont on the official VINS Birdathon day will be honored with a certificate recognizing the skill and determination necessary to claim bragging rights to this year's high total.
Contributing prizes to this year's Birdathon are: Ancient Graffiti in Middlebury, Bushnell Sports Optics Worldwide, Common Ground Distributors, Droll Yankee, Eastern Mountain Sports in South Burlington, Peregrine Outfitters In Williston, Porcupine Graphix in Bethel, and Swift Instruments.
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