ABO’s mentoring program is designed for youth ages 10-17 who have a strong interest in birds and ornithology. Our goal is to nurture their interests while helping them develop a lifelong conservation ethic.

Working one-on-one with a professional biologist, students participate in hands-on study of wild birds. Each develops valuable field research skills while learning how to design and conduct a scientific study. Mentors provide guidance throughout the process, from developing a research question to analyzing and presenting the results. Students in our mentoring program have won awards at the District Science Fair, 1st prize in the Alaska Statewide High-School Science Symposium, and college scholarships.

Participants typically assist with ABO’s on-going work to monitor Tree Swallows nesting in boxes at Creamer’s Refuge. Each student is expected to develop a research question, collect data, and present their results in a report or poster. The time commitment is approximately two half-days/week from mid-May through early July, plus time to analyze and present results (which can be done during the regular school season). Each student will receive training in handling wild birds, research ethics, and the scientific process.

Thank you to the Skaggs Foundation for generously funding ABO’s mentoring program!