Community Naturalist

Our Goals
To create lasting connections with nature and cultivate new conservationists.
What We’re Doing
Providing education programs, trainings, and resources.
Two girls walk through a stream.

People will only conserve what they care about, but people are decreasingly connected to nature. Our Community Naturalists deliver in-person and virtual environmental education programs to people of all ages to create lasting connections with nature in their communities. To engage even more people in bird conservation, we develop trainings and resources for educators.

If you're a parent, teacher, or educator, we can help you foster a love of nature and interest in science among your students. Download our free education resources, learn new curricula at an educator workshop, get involved in volunteer science programs, or join us for a field program in Wyoming or Colorado! For questions, please contact jacelyn.downey@audubon.org.

A woman and children look at a paper in a forest.
Education Resources
Two children take bugs out of a net.
Community Naturalist in Colorado

Community Science

You don’t have to be a professional scientist to make a real difference in the world of conservation. Community science is the collection and analysis of scientific data by everyday people in collaboration with professional scientists. There are endless opportunities for anyone to get involved in bird conservation through community science. The data you collect as part of these projects can be used in real-world studies, making tangible differences in our understanding of bird populations and how best to conserve them. By participting, you'll increase our ability to collect data and use it to conserve birds. To ask about community science opportunities, email Zach Hutchinson or call (307)-247-0700.

An adult with a spotting scope stand with their back to the camera while observing a snowy landscape.
Surprise Appearances and Concerning No-Shows in Northern Wyoming
January 27, 2023 — While several uncommon bird species were recorded during Bighorn Audubon Society's 2022 Christmas Bird Counts, some historically frequent species were notably absent.
Sharp-tailed Grouse stands in a field.
Changes in Casper’s Bird Populations
January 25, 2023 — Seventy-four years of Christmas Bird Count data reveal which species are increasing and which are declining.
A college student points in front of a group birdwatching.
Tiger Audubon Returns to the Christmas Bird Count
January 20, 2023 — Colorado College students reconnect over their first Christmas Bird Count since the pandemic.
California Condor flies in front of a red cliff.
The Adventures of Southern Utah’s Christmas Bird Counts
January 20, 2023 — Volunteers’ epic searches document shifting bird populations.
Flock of Bohemian Waxwings in a tree.
A Dipper Party, Rare Waxwings, and Other Treats
January 20, 2023 — The 2022 Fort Collins Christmas Bird Count yielded exciting finds for one of its crews.