ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 15, 2014 - A non-profit organization has been formed to promote birding (birdwatching) competitions for young people nationwide.
Birding competitions are based on the number of bird species identified in a specified area during a time period - usually 24-hours.
Co-Founded by internationally known birder, photographer, author Richard Crossley, the Race 4 Birds Foundation, Inc (R4B) uses the internet, social media and networking to reach thousands of organizations nationwide with step-by-step guidance about how to organize their own youth birding competitions. The Foundation also plans to recognize the best youth birding competitions annually in a variety of categories.
Joining Crossley as Founding Directors are Tim Keyes, founder of the Georgia Youth Birding Competition, James Currie, Creator, Producer and Host of Nikon's Birding Adventures TV, Constance Campanella, Virginia-based business owner and bird activist and Dr. Lowell "Rusty" Pritchard, Environmental policy consultant and zoologist.
Inspiration for the Race 4 Birds Foundation came from the Georgia Youth Birding competition, launched in 2006 by biologist Tim Keyes. "I saw how much fun birding competitions were - especially New Jersey Audubon's World Series of Birding - and decided to create an event especially for young people. This year's event - our 9th - attracted almost 100 young competitors . And, what I love the most is that our older competitors are now mentoring the younger teams. The Race 4 Birds Foundation is going to help bring that fun and excitement to hundreds of young people nationwide and I'm thrilled to be part of it. "
According to Crossley, "Youth birding competitions are extraordinary fun for everybody involved - most especially the young people. Competing takes planning and study and the "big day" itself combines the thrill of competition with the fun of being outdoors with friends. "
Regardless of the number of competitors or teams - every Race 4 Birds event brings competitors closer to nature and to their friend and mentors. Host organizations will receive extensive guidance through the R4B website and social media and by communicating with other event hosts. And, the R4B Foundation encourages everyone to embrace the guiding principles for Race 4 Birds events - FUN, FAIR, SAFE and ETHICAL birding.
The Race 4 Birds Foundation is also guided by two advisory boards. The Mentor Advisory Board is comprised of veteran birders, wildlife experts and journalists. The Mentor Advisory Board members are:
Giff Beaton Author, Birding Georgia
Tony Croasdale Environmental Educator and Field Biologist
Ellen Lambeth Executive Editor, Ranger Rick Magazine
Wendy Paulson Teacher, Conservationist
Bob Sargent Past President, Georgia Ornithological Society
Bill Thompson, III Editor, Bird Watcher's Digest
Tom Reed New Jersey Big Year Record Holder and Winner-World Series of Birding
Georgann Schmalz Ornithologist, Birding Adventures, Inc.
Brian "BQ" Quindlen Teacher and Coach of the first Youth Team to win the World Series of Birding (2013)
The Youth Advisory Board features accomplished young birders, naturalists and bloggers. The Youth Advisory Board members are:
Sophie Crossley Videographer and Wildlife Enthusiast
Cédric Duhalde University Student in Wildlife Management & Conservation
Alexandra Forsythe Author and owner of MidwestBirdWatching.com and YoungConservationists.org
Zac Hinchcliffe Co-Founder of Next Generation Birders (United Kingdom)
Fanter Lane Veteran youth birding camp participant, assisted Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey
Kathleen O'Neill Member, Delaware Dunlins Young Birder's Club
Angus Pritchard Youth Birding Competition veteran; Winner-Georgia YBC Art Contest
Sarah Toner Founder, Michigan Young Birders Club, Winner of Young Birder of the Year Writing Contest
Benjamin Van Doren Winner, INTEL National Science Competition
Doug Whitman High school birder with over 300 life birds (so far)
The Race 4 Birds Foundation can be found at
www.race4birds.org
www.facebook/race4birds
www.twitter.com/race4birds
EMAIL info@race4birds.org
Media Contact: Constance Campanella, The Race 4 Birds Foundation, Inc., 703-623-2408, info@race4birds.org
