The Birding Academy
Grow Your Knowledge
As one of the most popular pastimes in the United States, Wisconsinites are flocking towards birding! People of all backgrounds are drawn to the rich diversity of melodious calls and the spectacular sights of vibrant feathers in skillful flight. The joys of birding encompass the simple pleasure of connecting with nature, thrilling discoveries of different species and new insights, the invigorating physical activity of hiking, and sharing interests with a welcoming community. The Birding Academy invites bird lovers to join us in savoring these joys, while better equipping them with the tools and knowledge to do so.
The Birding Academy provides a collection of in-person educational experiences for adults that vary in learning mode, topic, and lens. Building on and elevating an already strong programming foundation, each four-month term includes multi-day certificates, single session seminars, guided hikes and field adventures, club gatherings, and more.
Designed for curious beginners through established experts, these interactive offerings approach bird education through the sciences, arts and humanities, and broader community connections. Programs focus on Southeast Wisconsin’s local nature and draw inspiration from our changing seasons. Our high-quality and comprehensive educational programs unite people around their shared love of birding, nature, and conservation.
Birding Certificates
Specially designed for the Birding Academy and the first of their kind, Birding Certificates are multi-session commitments for participants looking to delve deep into big picture topics, such as the Raptors of Wisconsin, the Birds of Schlitz Audubon, the Mississippi Flyway, and Spring Migration. Over multiple sessions, learners develop a solid foundation of topical knowledge through both classroom and field instruction. By learning alongside each other over several weeks, participants have the opportunity to connect with and support each other. Through application-based instruction on-site at the Center and take-home guides, certificates also promote future learning that builds on foundational knowledge and skills.
Birding Seminars, Guided Hikes, and Field Adventures
Birding Seminars are one-time sessions that focus on specific, more contained topics such as Winter Ducks of Lake Michigan, The World of Woodpeckers, and The Science of Flight. Instruction uses a variety of teaching techniques both in the classroom and in outdoor settings. These programs allow learners to explore a specific area of interest while connecting with a like-minded community.
Guided Hikes offer opportunities for learners to practice birding skills in the field at the Center, focusing on seasonal or habitat specific topics. Examples include Fall Migration, Birding Along the Bluff, and Early Winter Birds. These programs start with a short introduction before participants head outside for a hike across the Center’s forests, wetlands, prairies, or other habitats.
Birding Field Adventures are two to four hour guided trips to other natural areas where participants will learn and practice birding skills while exploring novel landscapes. We may head to Horicon Marsh, the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the US, to see a plethora of waterfowl, Lakeshore State Park to view winter ducks on Lake Michigan, or to Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve to search for birds while atop a bluff or within the forested gorge.
Birds and The Arts
Birds have been a recurring and diverse presence in the arts and humanities, serving as subjects, symbols, and inspiration in a wide range of human expressions. Examples of offerings that integrate this lens include guided hikes centered on field journaling or sketching, programs that connect outstanding literature to outdoor experiences, presentations on birds in historic art, and instruction on painting local birds. We also regularly showcase bird-themed exhibits in our Art Gallery and host visits by authors of books about birds.
Bird Conservation and Community
Wisconsin is rich not only in bird diversity and habitat, but also in opportunities to study native species. Programs that incorporate this lens explore that research, from initiatives happening in our state and at the Center to the conservation that can happen in your own backyard. Examples of offerings include instruction on creating bird habitat, opportunities to participate in citizen science, talks on research happening at the Center, and partnerships with research stations in our region.
We’re fortunate to live in a region where an array of businesses, clubs, and organizations are dedicated to learning about and supporting birds. Through collaboration with these groups, we’re able to bring their unique approaches and expertise into our educational programs. Examples of offerings that incorporate these collaborations include Bird Club meetings co-hosted by an expert from the community, talks featuring a local business owner or club leader, field trips to research stations, and participation in region-wide bird counts.