Cordelia Slough Youth Education Program

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Cordelia Slough Youth Education Program - Orientation via Zoom

It is our mission to inspire people to act toward balance with the natural world by rescuing waterbirds in crisis. We dream of a world in which every person, every day, takes action to protect the natural home of wildlife and ourselves. It is our privilege to announce that we will now be able to bring this message to the youth and school districts within our Northern California communities.

Cordelia Slough and the Pacific Flyway

Cordelia Slough is a small, variable stream of running water that is part of the Pacific Flyway, a superhighway for migratory birds. In the future, our partner, The Pacific Flyway Center, will bring knowledge to the public regarding the species biodiversity in this wetland habitat surrounding the Pacific Flyway. The Pacific Flyway Fund has granted long-term use to International Bird Rescue of 40 acres of stunning riparian and marsh habitat to bring wildlife and environmental literacy to the next generation of advocates for nature.

Our Program

Students will be led on a Nature Walk by experienced International Bird Rescue docents to discuss and identify the ecosystems and biology surrounding Cordelia Slough.

The Nature Walk will consist of a 6-stop tour focused on the biodiversity of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrate species that contribute to the ecosystems surrounding Cordelia Slough such as wetlands and riparian areas. At each stop, students will learn about a species that makes its home in these two habitats. In addition, we will share lessons around ecosystems, anatomy, invasive and introduced species, wildlife conservation, and more!

Along with the 1.5-mile round trip Nature Walk, students will also participate in two learning stations discussing human impacts on the nature around us. They will learn about feather anatomy with an activity explaining how Wildlife Rehabilitators like Bird Rescue wash oiled wildlife during an oil spill and a second activity learning how to sort trash, recyclable materials, and compost. With this opportunity for place-based learning, we aim to teach each student the following:

• Species of plants, insects, and animals and their roles in our local ecosystem;
• Bird beaks and what they eat;
• The difference between native, invasive, and introduced species;
• The importance of different ecosystems like wetlands and riparian areas;
• How to sort trash, recyclable materials, and compost; and
• Feather structure and how it contributes to waterproofing and flight.

Volunteer Opportunities:

We are currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers to fill the following roles:

Nature Walk Docents - Docents will lead a group of up to ten elementary school children on a 1.5 mile walk around the property. Docents should be comfortable communicating with children, stating basic wildlife facts, walking on uneven ground, and standing for long periods of time. Due to the sensitive nature of work with children, a background check will be required for this role.

Bird Census Citizen Scientists - We have an opportunity to add to an eBird account and do citizen science around the property. Bird Census volunteers would be asked to visit the property with a Bird Rescue staff member 1-2x monthly to participate in a bird walk, track local conditions, and report a complete bird count. The volunteer would need to have a good grasp of bird species of Northern California, and an interest and curiosity in learning more.

Land Maintenance Volunteers - The property that will host the project will need regular property maintenance. Currently, this would consist of cleaning up trash and pulling weeds, making sure that the property stays clean and safe. Ultimately, we would like to plant native plants that augment the habitat and make a concerted effort to reduce invasive and low-value plants.

If you are interested in attending our orientation for this program, please email Devin Bergeles, Projects Specialist, at devin.bergeles@birdrescue.org .