Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 14 at Jennings

Staff report

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA.

The Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, will continue its series of citizen science investigations, or CSI, events for home-schooling families.

From 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 14, the center will offer an interactive program that will feature hands-on discovery centers, an introduction to bird identification, guided observation and counting of birds, and instructions for participation in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

Participants will be encouraged to use their new skills to observe birds and submit their own data at home.

The program is designed for age 5 and older, with a cost of $3 per person and a maximum $12 per family. Enrollment is limited; registration and pre-payment should be completed by Feb. 3 by calling 724 794-6011 or visiting www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/Calendar/.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is hosted by the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with Bird Studies Canada.

The indoor workshop at Jennings will allow home-schooling parents and their children to work together to learn, observe, count and enjoy birds at the feeders outside the classroom windows.

Jennings staff will explain and demonstrate use of the GBBC website for submitting data and obtaining information. Representatives of the Bartramian Audubon Society also will be on hand to provide assistance.