Join SFA Gardens for the annual Backyard Bird Bonanza

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens, the Pineywoods Audubon Society and the university's student chapter of the National Association for Interpretation are sponsoring the annual Backyard Bird Bonanza from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 15 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

This free, outdoor event will include activities designed to increase knowledge and appreciation of birds for youth and adults. A variety of fun, hands-on learning activities will be set up, including using binoculars, learning bird identification skills, playing bird games and making bird-related crafts. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department nongame ornithologist Cliff Shackelford will lead guided hikes along the trails of Tucker Woods at the PNPC.

In addition, guests are invited to participate in citizen science as they help count bird species for the national Great Backyard Bird Count with assistance from experienced birders and Shackelford. With bird populations declining, this form of citizen science serves as a valuable tool to measure the health of bird populations and inform citizens how to protect birds and support their habitats. In February 2019, more than 160,000 participants across the globe shared their local snapshots of bird populations — the largest Great Backyard Bird Count to date.

Winter is the ideal time for bird-watching, and the PNPC is a haven for local birds. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. The event will be held rain or shine.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, Bird Studies Canada and international partners are leading the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is powered by eBird, and the count is made possible, in part, by founding sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

For more information, call (936) 468-1863, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.