New Jersey Audubon Society

WORLD SERIES OF BIRDING

LEVEL III - YOUTH DIVISION COMPETITION

WHAT IS IT?

• A way to have fun!
• A way to build teamwork.
• A way to teach about New Jersey habitats and species.
• A way to raise money for conservation and environmental causes and projects.
• A way to involve local birders in your programs.
• A competition.

Level III Youth  Competition is open to all youth groups within Grades 1 through 12. 
Click here to see a list of the Youth Teams for 2006.

There are three division competitions: 

• Elementary School - Grades 1 through 5;

• Middle School - Grades 6 through 8;

• High School - Grades 9 through 12. 

Teams may be comprised of mixed ages, grades, and schools or groups but must remain within the same division.  Competing teams are eligible for the Zeiss Youth Award for the highest total species in each division.  All students who participate will be recognized with a Certificate of Participation.

New Jersey Audubon Society education staff works with these groups to make the event an educational experience as well as a fund raiser for school, youth, or scout groups conservation projects.

HOW DOES LEVEL III - YOUTH DIVISION WORK?

Build an integrated team of young people who will work towards a common goal - being competitors in a world-recognized event that raises money for conservation. (Team size - minimum 3 students, maximum one class).

• Youth teams have 24 hours (or any portion of that time) to count as many bird species as they can identify by sight or sound within the state of New Jersey in accordance with the WSB Rules of Competition.

• Youth Teams may conduct their World Series of Birding Competition on a designated day up to 2 days prior to the official competition in order to fit with a school or organization's schedule.

• Youth teams have the option to do their Big Day on their school grounds, or within a limited geographic area (e.g. a local park, a county, a watershed), or cover the entire state.

• Adults (over the age of 21) may accompany the team and/or be designated drivers but cannot participate, aid or contribute in location or identification of birds in any manner during the competition or the team will be disqualified.

• Each team must submit an official WSB checklist of birds identified by MIDNIGHT the day of the official event. It can be turned in:
  • at the Finish Line in Cape May
  • faxed (609-884-6052)
  • or via email by following the procedure outlined here.

THE WORLD SERIES OF BIRDING IS A PERFECT FUNDRAISING TOOL

Gather pledges for your team and raise money for conservation.  The money you raise on your team's effort is yours - all of it!  It can go to whatever conservation cause you choose (i.e., a wildlife garden in a city park or school grounds; a science project within your school; setting up a bird feeding station at a local nursing home; or a “clean-up” project at a local watershed).  Click here to find out what organizations/causes the 2005 teams donated their money to.

Pledges
Organize a community fund raiser (i.e., car wash, bake sale) to raise pledges. Make copies of the official Pledge Sheet and distribute as needed. If you would like any of your pledges to go to New Jersey Audubon’s conservation causes, just check off the box and mail your check to us. Please include your conservation cause on your entry form.