1. Connecting with Wildlife Mark Hostetler Extension Wildlife Specialist Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation IFAS, University of Florida

2. Overview Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Wildlife Florida Bird Monitoring Program Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program

3. Florida Cooperative Extension Service – Wildlife Who are we? –Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, IFAS, University of Florida What do we do? –In issues regarding wildlife Advise the public Develop educational programs Disseminate information Conduct research

4. Available Wildlife Information? Landscaping for wildlife Conservation and management of wildlife Detailed information on species Wildlife education programs

5. Where to Go for Info? Web site: www.wec.ufl.edu/extension –Print on demand –Links and information –Educational programs Call your local extension office Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or visit www.state.fl.us/fwc

6. Bird Monitoring Program

7. Birds? R.-thr. HummingbirdY.-rumped Warbler Northern Mockingbird Red-tailed Hawk O.-crowned Warbler

8. Create simple, standardized methods to survey birds Create a Web site linked to a data base where participants can enter and view collected bird data Objectives

9. Utility Can measure how bird diversity changes over time Participants can compare results and interact with other wildlife landscapers Participants interact with their environment Added component for any educational or experiential program

10. Point Count Stationary survey of birds in a given area Used for small lots or landscapes where it is difficult to walk through

11. Point Count 20 m 10 minutes

12. Transect Count A route is walked and birds are counted on each side Used for large properties or surveys of neighborhoods

13. Transect Count 20 m

14. Enter and View Data Participants enter data through the Web site (need User ID and Survey Code) Anybody can view the results online

15. THE WEB SITE! Florida Bird Monitoring Program http://bird.ifas.ufl.edu

29. Upon certification, participants receive a certificate and sign

30. Florida Wildlife Habitat Program Certification Program: Apply through the wildlife extension web site www.wec.ufl.edu/extension Participants describe current yard, wildlife seen and future landscaping plans We evaluate and make recommendations

31. Summary Utilize the bird monitoring program for your property, neighborhood, etc. or incorporate it into any educational activity Go to - www.wec.ufl.edu/extension Certify your yard or have students certify a property

33. Acknowledgements Developed by: Dr. Mark Hostetler, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, IFAS, University of Florida, 2001.

34. Acknowledgements Photo & Sound Credits: Mark Hostetler, Joe Schafer, and Dan Sudia USGS Patuxent Bird Center (Bird Photos): http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html FL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu Flower Photos: Florida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com Florida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com