Welcome!
Welcome to the OSBC Young Birders Initiative! Are you or your family members between the ages of 8-18 interested in birds and birding? Check out the Young Birders Initiative.
Mission
The Young Birders Initiative aims to connect young birders with their birding peers. We also strive to increase young birders’ overall knowledge and awareness of birds and bird habitats.
Initiative
The YBI hosts monthly guided birding walks for youth interested in birds, led by naturalists and youth birders alike. We are also planning several other youth birder social events, as well as developing a monitored social media outlet for sharing birding highlights.
Upcoming Walk Schedule
Sunday, March 17, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Charlestown
Join us in searching the thickets, and scanning the salt pond at Ninigret NWR. A wide diversity of species spends the winter on the refuge and we will have the opportunity to explore several habitats as we search for them.
Meeting Location: We will meet at the parking lot within Ninigret Park (click here for google maps directions)
Leaders: Matt Schenck (mschenckee@gmail.com)
Sunday, April 7, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
South Kingstown
The only undeveloped salt pond in the state, 180 acre Trustom Pond often attracts thousands of ducks, geese, and swans during the peak of migration. We will walk the 3 miles of trails in search of waterfowl, and migrating songbirds taking advantage of the 700 acre NWR.
Meeting location: We will meet in the main lot along Matunuck Schoolhouse Rd. (click here for google map directions)
Leaders: Matt Schenck (mschenckee@gmail.com)
Requirements
Download and print a permission slip HERE.
View YBI Policies and Procedures HERE.
OSBC Youth Initiative Leadership Team
Welcome to the OSBC Young Birders Initiative! Are you or your family members between the ages of 8-18 interested in birds and birding? Check out the Young Birders Initiative.
Mission
The Young Birders Initiative aims to connect young birders with their birding peers. We also strive to increase young birders’ overall knowledge and awareness of birds and bird habitats.
Initiative
The YBI hosts monthly guided birding walks for youth interested in birds, led by naturalists and youth birders alike. We are also planning several other youth birder social events, as well as developing a monitored social media outlet for sharing birding highlights.
Upcoming Walk Schedule
Sunday, March 17, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Charlestown
Join us in searching the thickets, and scanning the salt pond at Ninigret NWR. A wide diversity of species spends the winter on the refuge and we will have the opportunity to explore several habitats as we search for them.
Meeting Location: We will meet at the parking lot within Ninigret Park (click here for google maps directions)
Leaders: Matt Schenck (mschenckee@gmail.com)
Sunday, April 7, 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
South Kingstown
The only undeveloped salt pond in the state, 180 acre Trustom Pond often attracts thousands of ducks, geese, and swans during the peak of migration. We will walk the 3 miles of trails in search of waterfowl, and migrating songbirds taking advantage of the 700 acre NWR.
Meeting location: We will meet in the main lot along Matunuck Schoolhouse Rd. (click here for google map directions)
Leaders: Matt Schenck (mschenckee@gmail.com)
Requirements
- YBI walks are designed for children ages 8 -18.
- All children under 14 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No exceptions.
- Participants 14 years old and older may be dropped off and picked up at the end of the hike.
- children who are dropped off must have a signed permission slip.
Download and print a permission slip HERE.
View YBI Policies and Procedures HERE.
OSBC Youth Initiative Leadership Team
Matt Schenck
Matt Schenck is an avid naturalist and professional environmental educator. He had spent 4 years connecting people to the outdoors in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Georgia before moving to Rhode Island in 2014. Matt is the Summer Camp Director at Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown and along with birding enjoys wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and just being outside and exploring.
Matt Schenck is an avid naturalist and professional environmental educator. He had spent 4 years connecting people to the outdoors in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Georgia before moving to Rhode Island in 2014. Matt is the Summer Camp Director at Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown and along with birding enjoys wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and just being outside and exploring.
Susan Schenck
Susan Schenck is a naturalist and environmental educator. Originally from northwest Iowa, she graduated with a B.A. biology. After college, Susan taught for 4 years as an educator at several residential outdoor schools. She completed a graduate-level environmental education teaching certification program in 2014.
Susan has been seriously birding for about four years. Her favorite bird is the yellow-headed blackbird. In addition to birding, Susan also keeps a nature sketch journal, enjoys baking, and competed in (and finished!) her first duathlon in October. She is currently an Experience Coordinator at the Providence Children's Museum.
Susan Schenck is a naturalist and environmental educator. Originally from northwest Iowa, she graduated with a B.A. biology. After college, Susan taught for 4 years as an educator at several residential outdoor schools. She completed a graduate-level environmental education teaching certification program in 2014.
Susan has been seriously birding for about four years. Her favorite bird is the yellow-headed blackbird. In addition to birding, Susan also keeps a nature sketch journal, enjoys baking, and competed in (and finished!) her first duathlon in October. She is currently an Experience Coordinator at the Providence Children's Museum.
Mark Pagiarini
Mark Pagliarini, the Lead Teacher/Naturalist at Norman Bird Sanctuary is a graduate of URI’s College of Animal Sciences program. He has worked for more than 7 years teaching about and working directly with wildlife. His diverse experience in the care, training, and general management of animals, as well as years teaching as an environmental educator, make Mark both an avid naturalist and well-rounded teacher.
Leaders are first aid and CPR certified. They have passed state and federal background checks. Two leaders or more will attend each walk. All are experienced outdoor educators.
Mark Pagliarini, the Lead Teacher/Naturalist at Norman Bird Sanctuary is a graduate of URI’s College of Animal Sciences program. He has worked for more than 7 years teaching about and working directly with wildlife. His diverse experience in the care, training, and general management of animals, as well as years teaching as an environmental educator, make Mark both an avid naturalist and well-rounded teacher.
Leaders are first aid and CPR certified. They have passed state and federal background checks. Two leaders or more will attend each walk. All are experienced outdoor educators.