When idea is good, you know it. When and idea is great, everyone knows it! The Ohio Young Birders Club is being heralded across the country for its ground breaking efforts to get kids outside. To date, 14 other states have followed the Ohio Young Birders Club model. Why does it work? Because the OYBC is about so much more than “just” birding! Our students are being introduced to all aspects of natural history through this program.

When we’re out in the field, we are looking at absolutely everything and encouraging and fostering any interest that the students express in the wonders of the natural world. On a recent “birding” trip we spent hours studying Lake Erie Water Snakes. On another trip we spent more time studying moths than birds. But I honestly believe that the key to the success of this club are the students on our Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). YAP members are consulted on every aspect of the Club, and I never cease to be amazed at the incredible ideas these students generate. At our recent planning and budget meeting (Yes! The students are even consulted on the Club’s annual budgeting process), every adult at the meeting took a back seat as the students took the lead.

Your help has been a key to our success. The support of our partners has been a huge boost. As the parent organization, the Observatory does much to subsidize the OYBC budget. We are also still operating the OYBC, in part, from a grant from the OHIO EPA’s Environmental Education Fund. But our success means a growing membership, and a growing membership means rising costs. It takes so much more to operate than it did when we began just a few short years ago.

Due to these rising costs, we are offering our partners the opportunity to support the club at the following levels:

Bald Eagle - $1000
Peregrine Falcon - $750
Red-tailed Hawk - $500
American Kestrel - $100

Your OYBC Sponsorship will include a web listing and link on the OYBC and BSBO websites, listing in the OYBC newsletter, and an acknowledgement in our annual OYBC conference program. It will also make your organization a part of something very special.

We could use your help. We hope that you will consider being a part of this adventure!