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Youth Birding Competition
Annual Youth Birding Competition!What is it?
It is a 24-hour birding event during the peak of spring migration. Youth teams spend the day finding as many species as they can as they compete against teams their own age. The competition is capped off with a wildlife show and awards banquet.
When is it?
The 2012 competition runs from 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27, to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28. Feel free use as much or as little of this 24-hour period as you like. As long as you cross the finish line and turn in your list by 5 p.m., you will be in the running for prizes. Why start at 5 p.m. Friday?
This allows younger or more low-key teams to look for owls in the evening on Friday rather than get up at midnight. It also allows older crazier teams to bird the coast on Friday, and then work up to Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center on Sunday. Where is it?
Visit as much or as little of the state of Georgia as you want, as long as you make it to Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center by 5 p.m. to turn in your list. Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center is in Mansfield, Ga., about one hour east of Atlanta (locator map). All events will be at the Conference Center Banquet Hall (map). Do you need to be an expert?
No! We can pair your team with an experienced birder (mentor) to help you learn about the birds before the competition. (Please note that during the competition, only youth participants can identify birds.) Who does it benefit?
Your team can use this event to raise money for the Georgia Wildlife Conservation Fund – the main fund for the Nongame Conservation Section – or for the conservation organization of your choice. Are there prizes?
Of course! For each age group (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12th grades) teams will compete for the most birds seen and the most money raised. Grand Prizes include new binoculars for the team finding the most birds. There will be door prizes for almost all of the participants. How much does it cost?
Participation is absolutely FREE, unless you plan to spend Friday night (April 27, 2012) at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, in which case lodging costs $15/person (based on four people per room).
 FREE to all participants:
PRIZES (by age division):
Back by popular demand!
How can you register? Copy, fill in and return this brochure's registration panel to Tim Keyes by March 31, 2012, or contact us at: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division One Conservation Way Suite 310 Brunswick, GA 31520
(912) 262-3191
How can you learn more? Read through this online guide or download the YBC participation booklet (also available in the links at right). A Youth Birding Competition Prep Workshop will take place from 11 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Panola Mountain State Park Visitor Center. Learn more at http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/aaswww/education/YBCPrepWorkshop.htm . Georgia's Youth Birding Competition is primarily funded by The Environmental Resources Network Inc. (T.E.R.N.), friends group of the Wildlife Resources Division's Nongame Conservation Section. For more information on T.E.R.N. and how to become a member, call (478) 994-1438 or visit http://tern.homestead.com Donations are also provided by Eagle Optics (www.eagleoptics.com), Atlanta Audubon Society (www.atlantaaudubon.org), Georgia Ornithological Society (www.gos.org), Weyerhaeuser (www.weyerhaeuser.com), Birdsong IdentiFlyer (http://www.identiflyer.com) and Droll Yankees - "The World's Best Bird Feeders" (www.drollyankees.com). Got a question about the YBC? Contact us at (912) 262-3191. 
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