Audubon’s New York City education programs focus on increasing people's knowledge and awareness about birds, other wildlife, and the natural world; inspires them to change their behaviors and attitudes to be more active participants in our conservation work saving birds and protecting habitat; and teaches new problem-solving skills needed to make informed decisions and take responsible action.
We offer place-based, experiential programs for elementary through early career that engage in environmental issues through the unique and relatable lens of birds. These learning opportunities not only provide knowledge of local bird species and habitats, but also encourage a sense of ecological identity in one’s own community and empower the community to take an active, lifelong interest in protecting their local environment for both birds and people.
Our flagship program, For the Birds! enhances the traditional elementary and middle school curriculum and provides foundational skills and knowledge in bird conservation while our LARK (Learn, Advocate, Rise-up, and Keep Conserving) program works with high school and young adult students on taking action on local conservation issues and fosters career development.
For the Birds! Elementary School Programs
For the Birds! (FTB!) is a place-based city conservation education program serving 2,000+ New York City youth and community members with a focus on schools and communities across all five boroughs that are underserved by environmental education. The mission of FTB! is to get youth excited about helping birds and the places they need to survive. For the Birds! not only provides knowledge of local species and habitats but also encourages a sense of ecological place in one’s own community and empowers youth to take an active interest in protecting their local environment for birds and people.
For the Birds! Program Options
In-person Programs: During a 4, 8, or 12 session program, program participants learn about birds and local habitats in their neighborhood through both in-class and outdoor lessons. The curriculum is adaptable for grades 2-8 and is aligned to State and National STEM standards. Each program culminates in a field trip to a local park and/or a habitat project designed to attract birds and other wildlife to their community. Click here for our full course catalog.
Contact FTB!
To get started, learn more, or for questions about NYC FTB! programs, please contact our New York City team member.
Located outside of New York City? Audubon New York centers also offer For the Birds! program and volunteer opportunities. Reach out to a center near you to learn more.
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New York City |
Long Island Julie Nelsen, Education Manager Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center 134 Cove Road, Oyster Bay, NY 10524 jnelsen@audubon.org 516-922-3200 |
| Hudson Valley Region Rebecca Schultz, Education Manager Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary 127 Warren Landing Road, Garrison, New York 10524 rschultz@audubon.org 845-265-2601 x10 |
Finger Lakes Region Montezuma Audubon Center 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146 montezuma@audubon.org 315-365-3588 |
LARK Youth Programs
Audubon New York’s LARK (Learn, Advocate, Rise-up, and Keep Conserving) works to increase access to conservation education in NYC for BIPOC and under resourced communities and instill a culture of lifelong environmental stewardship for high school and young adults through school lessons, internships/mentorships, and our Youth Leadership Council (YLC). LARK offers the following program experiences for NYC high school students and young adults.
LARK Program Options
Youth Leadership Council: In partnership with NYC Service, our YLC allows NYC high school youth to address environmental policies and practices that shape the lives of their communities, while at the same time developing personal and professional skills, exploring potential college and career opportunities, and learning how to work collaboratively on creating solutions to local environmental problems. Click here to apply to our Youth Leadership Council.
Classroom Lessons: We offer a rigorous and environmentally conscious curriculum to high school youth, college students, and young adults. Using birds as the hook, Audubon educators engage participants in a series of climate and environmental justice-themed lessons that incorporate birds and conservation issues that directly impact their community (e.g. climate change, heat islands, and sea-level rise). Using climate data from Audubon’s Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink, we collaborate with educators to co-plan/deliver a curriculum that meets the needs of their students and/or organization.
Contact LARK
To get started, learn more, or for questions about our LARK youth programs, please contact Lianne D'Arcy, program coordinator, at lianne.darcy@audubon.org.
NYC Conservation Education Newsletters
Information, inspiration, and conservation—view our newsletters for insight and opportunities related to our NYC Conservation Education Programs.
Testimonials
"In our class, there are twenty-one different student names. In the world, there are 8,500 different bird names. Birds are named because of their looks, their color, what they do, where they were born, or who discovered them. Some are named for the way they sing and for friends and family. The black-capped chickadee is named after its black cap and the sound it makes."—Gabriela Hernandez, 4th Grade student
"Being able to work with and help children learn to see, appreciate, and gain more knowledge about nature has been a wonderfully satisfying experience. Not only are the students more observant of the natural world, but their regular journal recordings about birds and their habitats have improved the children's overall attentiveness and writing skills. We make a difference. It is truly exhilarating!"—Gini Stowe, Volunteer
"This program is really aligned with our science program and our science lessons, especially with habitats and adaptations. What’s also nice about the program is that it’s more than science, it is also cross-curricular: writing, reading, and even math."—Michelle Mangiaracina, 3rd Grade Teacher, PS 110
For the Birds! Distance Learning Options
Attention New York schools—bring the wonder of nature and science to your virtual classroom! Take part in our exciting distance learning opportunities.
Related
When David Sibley Is Your Art Teacher
The esteemed ornithologist recently visited Brooklyn elementary schoolers taking part in Audubon New York's "For the Birds!" education program.
Changing the Face of Urban Gardens
Audubon New York and students dig in at West Side Community Garden
Community Values Grow with For The Birds!
This educational program is now present in over 20 elementary schools and offers a variety of workshops for families in Brooklyn. But they want to keep growing.
Donate to Audubon
Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts.
