This project will support implementation of the bird by bird program at woodlawn elementary and chief joseph elementary in portland, oregon, during the 20252026, 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years

The bird by bird program is a bird-centered environmental education initiative directed by the U.S. Fish and wildlife service (USFWS) migratory birds and habitat program. Bird alliance of oregon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education and conservation, has partnered with USFWS to develop and deliver the curriculum since 2015.the bird by bird program promotes appreciation for americas natural heritage, particularly migratory birds and wetland habitats, and encourages responsible natural resource stewardship in future generations. USFWS oversees the program and funds bird alliance of oregon to provide a trained educator who visits classrooms and leads field trips throughout the academic year.with the requested funding of $27,968, bird alliance of oregon will implement the program in four classes across two schools each school year (12 classes total over three years). For each class, staff will deliver five classroom visits and two field trips each school year between october and may for three years. Curriculum will be reviewed at the start of each school year to ensure alignment with state education standards and USFWS program goals.each classroom visit will be 1.5 hours in length (45 minutes teaching time, plus prep and clean-up). Visit themes include: (1) bird anatomy, adaptations, and physical traits (2) raptors and their ecological role in oregon and (3) food webs, ecosystem health, and human impacts. Lessons will incorporate real bird specimens, feathers, beaks, magnifiers, and ID books. Students will explore adaptations, identify local species, and examine ecological relationships using hands-on tools and examples.each participating class will also take two 5-hour field trips ridgefield national wildlife refuge and or tualatin river national wildlife refuge plus a trip to a neighborhood waterway to compare and contrast habitat and species. (five hours also includes prep, travel, and wrap-up). Field trip activities include birding walks to explore local wetland wildlife and habitats, a migration simulation game, and, when possible, water quality testing and a career exploration conversation with USFWS staff. Transportation will be provided by bird alliance of oregon.deliverables include five classroom visits and two field trips per class, reaching a total of four classes each year for three years. All programming will be led by bird alliance of oregon senior educator and school partnerships specialist kesia tosh, in coordination with USFWS and classroom teachers. No subrecipients are involved in this award.