The American Birding Association (ABA) is holding its annual conference in Bangor from June 18 – 25, 2006. I will certainly be discussing this event more next year. But, for today, I wanted to mention a fantastic opportunity for the young birders of the state of Maine. An exciting aspect of this conference is the Young Birder Track, a concurrent convention designed specifically for birders between the ages of 12 and 18, with informative and fun workshops and field trips. I am the field trip coordinator for the youth conference, and will be assisting on the field trips – to Baxter State Park, Machias Seal Island, and Popham Beach/Reid State Parks.

For more information on the Young Birder Track, including details of the field trip, workshops, and programs, take a look at the ABA’s website.

Now, I am very pleased to announce that three organizations are offering full scholarships to this event!

Merrymeeting Audubon (of which I sit on the Board of Directors of) was the first to offer a scholarship to this event. Any student who lives within the Merrymeeting Audubon catchment area (Bath, Boothbay, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham. Brunswick, Dresden, Durham,Edgecomb, Freeport, Georgetown, Harpswell, Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, Phippsburg, Pownal, Richmond, Topsham, Southport, West Bath, Wiscasett, and Woolwich) is eligible for this opportunity. All the student has to do is submit a essay, of 50 words or less, tell why they would like to attend and what would hope to gain from the experience. Take a look at Merrymeeting’s website for more information.

Secondly, Mid-Coast Audubon is also offering a scholarship for a student within their catchment area (extends inland from Boothbay Harbor, west to Windsor and China, and east along the coast to Bucksport). For consideration, the young birder needs to submit an essay of between 50 and 100 words by January 25th. You can mail those submission to me at the store, and I will forward those to Mid-Coast Audubon.
Wild Bird Center of Yarmouth
Mid-Coast Audubon Scholarship
500 Route 1, Suite 9
Yarmouth, ME 04096

And now, thanks to the generosity of Eddie Woodin, founder of Friends of Birds and Nature, EVERY young birder has an opportunity to attend! Students living outside of the Merrymeeting or Mid-Coast Audubon’s catchment area now have a chance to attend! We are pleased to announce that Friends of Birds and Nature, facilitated by Derek Lovitch of the Wild Bird Center of Yarmouth (that’s me)– will be providing one more student with a full scholarship! The Friends of Birds and Nature is a developing non-profit organization with the mission of fostering the appreciation of birds and birding, especially in our youth -and this is definitely a great way to begin that very important mission.

All three scholarships will cover conference fees (including workshops and field trips), along with hotel and meals will be covered.

This is an extremely exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young birder in Maine to have an extremely fun, educational, and rewarding experience with other young birders from around the country! I certainly urge every eligible student to apply! And, I look forward to seeing you at the Conference!