Citizen Science – Delmarva Ornithological Society

Delmarva Ornithological Society (DOS) is a birding club serving Delaware and peninsular Maryland and Virginia. This year marks DOS’s 2nd annual Bird-A-Thon, a fund raiser that couples pledges per bird species sighted in a 24-hour period. Last year this event earned over $28,000 and the goal this year is to top $40,000.

The goal of the first Bird-A-Thon was to raise $15,000 to help purchase seven areas of the Delaware Bay coastline to protect it for Red Knots. Red Knots have been in serious decline and unfortunately, have not gotten the protection they deserve. So, DOS has made it their goal to right the situation, and use birders to attract attention to this area of great conservation concern.


Red Knot – Photo courtesy of Lilac Breasted Roller under the Creative Commons license

The Bird-A-Thon is simple:

During any single 24-hour period from May 3, 2008 through May 11, 2008, birders may travel anywhere within the
State of Delaware to count as many bird species as possible.

The goal is to get pledges from not just individuals but businesses and schools, etc. Make a pledge to help out this great cause.

The Delmarva Ornithological Society shows what a bird club can do to make a big difference in the name of bird conservation and citizen science.

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