Backyard Birdscaping New Mexico OLIT 533 – Computer Simulations Myra Herrmann Fall 2006

“We should adapt ourselves (and our homes) to wildlife, not the other way around.” Somebody important, 1975

Overview  Birding is one of the fastest growing hobbies  54 million Americans feed and watch birds  Natural occurrence of wildlife habitats is decreasing

Benefits Establish your business as the expert in birdscaping (source for supplies as well as a resource for information)  Strengthen your market position  Increase repeat business  Increase referral business

AreaArea SeasonSeason Bird Population Track type and number of birds Backyard Habitat FeedersFeeders FeedFeed Artificial Natural USERSUSERSUSERSUSERS Shelter Vegetation Key Variables Water Features Nesting Vegetation Natural Food Sources PredatorsPredators Bird Inhabitants

AreaArea SeasonSeason Bird Population Track type and number of birds Backyard Habitat FeedersFeeders FeedFeed Artificial Natural USERSUSERSUSERSUSERS Shelter Vegetation Key Variables Water Features Nesting Vegetation Natural Food Sources PredatorsPredators Bird Inhabitants

Underlying Model Developed in collaboration with: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Stan Tekiela, naturalist and author of “Birds of New Mexico Field Guide” National Wildlife Refuge System Beta-site tested: Local science classes (1 st, 3 rd and 5 th grades) Available for use in local science programs

Underlying Model Developed in collaboration with: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Stan Tekiela, naturalist and author of “Birds of New Mexico Field Guide” National Wildlife Refuge System Beta-site tested: Local science classes (1 st, 3 rd and 5 th grades) Available for use in local science programs

Objectives of Simulation  Increase awareness of desirability of backyard habitats  Teach specific fundamentals for successfully developing a backyard habitat  Recognize species of birds that reside in your area  Understand interrelationships among key variables in creating a wildlife habitat

Objectives of Simulation  Increase awareness of desirability of backyard habitats  Teach specific fundamentals for successfully developing a backyard habitat  Recognize species of birds that reside in your area  Understand interrelationships among key variables in creating a wildlife habitat

Objectives of Simulation  Increase awareness of desirability of backyard habitats  Teach specific fundamentals for successfully developing a backyard habitat  Recognize species of birds that reside in your area  Understand interrelationships among key variables in creating a wildlife habitat

Objectives of Simulation  Increase awareness of desirability of backyard habitats  Teach specific fundamentals for successfully developing a backyard habitat  Recognize species of birds that reside in your area  Understand interrelationships among key variables in creating a wildlife habitat

How Can It Be Used? Learning MethodsExamples Information Presentation Encyclopedia/bird identification Film clips of successful local backyard habitats Motivator Young learners playing games Advanced Organizer Track bird sightings Upload to National Registry Drill and Practice Trial and error setting up habitats

How Can It Be Used? Learning MethodsExamples Information Presentation Encyclopedia/bird identification Film clips of successful local backyard habitats Motivator Young learners playing games Advanced Organizer Track bird sightings Upload to National Registry Drill and Practice Trial and error setting up habitats

How Can It Be Used? Learning MethodsExamples Information Presentation Encyclopedia/bird identification Film clips of successful local backyard habitats Motivator Young learners playing games Advanced Organizer Track bird sightings Upload to National Registry Drill and Practice Trial and error setting up habitats

How Can It Be Used? Learning MethodsExamples Information Presentation Encyclopedia/bird identification Film clips of successful local backyard habitats Motivator Young learners playing games Advanced Organizer Track bird sightings Upload to National Registry Drill and Practice Trial and error setting up habitats

How Can It Be Used? Learning MethodsExamples Information Presentation Encyclopedia/bird identification Film clips of successful local backyard habitats Motivator Young learners playing games Advanced Organizer Track bird sightings Upload to National Registry Drill and Practice Trial and error setting up habitats

Implementation  Help customers visualize their potential backyard habitat  Create shopping list! In store…  Increase traffic to your website  Provide ability to identify birds Website  Organizer to track bird sightings

Implementation  Help customers visualize their potential backyard habitat  Create shopping list! In store…  Increase traffic to your website  Provide ability to identify birds Website  Organizer to track bird sightings

Flexibility/Adaptability CustomizabilityExamples Object-Oriented May be packaged exclusively May be distributed by function Rules encapsulated in database Customize by client Customize it be region/local Update with bird sightings (i.e. new migratory species) Customizable objects Upload/expand film clips (for local recognition/ownership) Links to relevant websites

Flexibility/Adaptability CustomizabilityExamples Object-Oriented May be packaged exclusively May be distributed by function Rules encapsulated in database Customize by client Customize it be region/local Update with bird sightings (i.e. new migratory species) Customizable objects Upload/expand film clips (for local recognition/ownership) Links to relevant websites

Flexibility/Adaptability CustomizabilityExamples Object-Oriented May be packaged exclusively May be distributed by function Rules encapsulated in database Customize by client Customize it be region/local Update with bird sightings (i.e. new migratory species) Customizable objects Upload/expand film clips (for local recognition/ownership) Links to relevant websites

Flexibility/Adaptability CustomizabilityExamples Object-Oriented May be packaged exclusively May be distributed by function Rules encapsulated in database Customize by client Customize it be region/local Update with bird sightings (i.e. new migratory species) Customizable objects Upload/expand film clips (for local recognition/ownership) Links to relevant websites

Birdscaping Your Backyard