| Seabird Biology and Conservation Course
 May 14th - June 29, 2012
This summer, join biologists and environmental educators at National Audubon's Seabird Restoration Program for an action-packed course in seabird biology and conservation while living in some of the most beautiful locations on the east coast. In this 7-week hands-on course you will learn techniques that brought puffins back to their historic breeding range and work within a model island system that has inspired restoration projects for 49 seabird species in 14 countries.
The course will be taught entirely on islands and sanctuaries in mid-coast Maine through a combination of workshops, field trips, lectures, one-on-one instruction, independent projects and active involvement in biological field research and restoration fieldwork. For two weeks in June, you will live in tents and primitive camps on offshore seabird nesting islands where you will work with biologists to conduct a variety of monitoring projects including seabird census work, re-sighting banded birds and productivity studies. Back on the mainland, you will also have the opportunity to work with environmental educators and staff at the Project Puffin Visitor Center, the public face of Project Puffin in Rockland, Maine, where you can share your experiences with the public.
 Common Tern chick photo by Ben Van Doren.
This course is open to the public with no academic pre-requisites. Non-biology majors and non-traditional students are encouraged to apply; each student will work closely with the instructor to develop individualized final projects that reflect their learning goals. Enrollment is limited and permission of the instructor is required for participation.
Primary Instructor: Erica Van Etten, Department of Biology, Ithaca College
Additional instructors and support staff:
- Stephen Kress, PhD, VP for Bird Conservation, National Audubon Society
- Pete Salmansohn, Education Coordinator, Seabird Restoration Program
- Susan Schubel, Biologist and Outreach Educator, Seabird Restoration Program
Schedule (subject to change due to weather, boat schedules, and research goals)
May 14-25: Meetings in Ithaca, NY or online to cover orientation, readings, preparations for field course. Instruction will include the history of the seabird restoration projects, challenges and milestones in conservation biology, and the ecology of coastal Maine. Students introduced to ideas for independent projects and complete first research projects and presentations.
May 26: Meet in Maine for facilities tour of the Todd Wildlife Sanctuary in Bremen, Maine and housing assignments on Hog Island.
May 27-28: Training for island assignments with Audubon staff. Students begin field journals and project pre-proposals. Workshops cover bird banding, predator control, species identification and other field research methods.
May 29- 30: Trips to Project Puffin Visitor Center (Rockland, ME), Damariscotta River Association, Island Institute, and other regional conservation projects and agencies. Possible participation in Seabird Restoration Program Birdathon and Hardy Boat Cruise to visit puffin colony on Eastern Egg Rock.
June 3-June 8: Begin program of service-learning projects on seabird nesting islands, evening presentations by guest speakers and guided birding trips on the mainland and Hog Island. Additional visits to the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland can be arranged for those interested in the environmental education and business aspect of seabird restoration.
May 29-June 3: Students move to cabins on Hog Island to participate in service-learning projects, workshops on bird banding & restoration techniques, evening presentations by guest speakers and guided birding trips on the mainland and Hog island. Additional visits to the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland can be arranged for those interested in the environmental education and business aspect of seabird restoration. In collaboration with SRP staff, students begin independent projects.
June 4 – 20: Students will be stationed on Eastern Egg Rock, Matinicus Rock or Seal Island with SRP staff biologists and interns. Housing is in tents on the islands or lighthouse (Matinicus) and accommodations are rustic (e.g. rainwater showers!). By prior arrangement, students may choose to complete this portion of the course at the Project Puffin Visitor Center rather than go to the offshore islands.
June 21-June 29: Students return to mainland to work on independent projects in collaboration with SRP staff and their instructor. Students will give presentations to adult and teen participants at the Audubon Camp in Maine on Hog Island about their experiences on the islands. During this time, students may travel to additional field sites to collect additional data, video footage, etc. to complete their final projects.
Requirements: This course is open to the general public. Permission of the instructor is required for enrollment. No academic pre-requisites, but all students must be seaworthy and in good physical condition (capable of climbing over rugged terrain, carry 40 pounds, etc.) and able to live and work with a small group of people in a remote location. Wilderness camping experience is desirable as students will be living in rustic conditions on the islands for 2 weeks.
- Required equipment: binoculars, field guide, camera, journal, sleeping bag, ground pad, tent, outdoor and foul-weather gear.
- Suggested equipment: laptop computer (may be left on mainland).
Credits: 4 credits in Biology (BIOL 20200) from Ithaca College. There is no auditing option for the course. For non-credit options, you may consider enrolling in a 5-day program on Hog Island or applying to volunteer positions for the summer season.
Cost: $5032 for Ithaca College students, $6532 for non-IC students.
Included: 4 biology credits, all housing, food, transportation and instruction during the course.
Not included: transportation to and from Bremen, Maine at the beginning / end of the course (carpool from Ithaca, NY to be arranged)
Additional opportunities for students: Pending successful completion of this course, students will eligible to return to the offshore islands as ‘puffineers’. All lodging and food expenses paid by the Seabird Restoration Program (SRP) for the remainder of the summer. In addition, students may choose to continue working with the Ithaca office of the SRP program, located at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology after the summer program.
For more information: Contact Erica Marx at evanetten@ithaca.edu or 607-279-6402 (cell).
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