ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov
(Phoenix, Arizona - September 22, 2009) - The Arizona State Parks department, Audubon Arizona and the Hummingbird Monitoring Network (HMN) are launching an effort to collect scientific information about hummingbird species in Arizona. The project is funded by a grant provided by TogetherGreen.org, an Audubon conservation initiative made possible by funding and assistance from Toyota.
Verde River Greenway State Natural Area will launch its hummingbird program on Saturday, September 26 at Verde River Day event at Dead Horse Ranch State Park (adjacent to Verde River Greenway). Dr. Susan Wethington, executive director of the Hummingbird Monitoring Network, will introduce the hummingbird project at 3 pm. An information booth will also be available throughout the event from 9 am to 3 pm.
The project includes regional biodiversity studies and investigation about the distribution and migration of hummingbirds. (see hummonnet.org.) The diversity and abundance of hummingbirds in the SW United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico will provide land managers with information that will help protect natural habitats.
The grant partners hope the program will inspire more conservation support as these citizen scientists collect important scientific results for this transamerican research program.
Utilizing State Parks in Arizona for scientific study, where professional staff can oversee intense programs, is common for researchers and nonprofits as well as Arizona's universities. The State Parks system includes natural areas that are highly protected, managed, and critical biomes in Arizona.
Several years ago, Dr. Bob Casavant, the Research and Science Manager for State Parks, teamed up with Dr. Susan Wethington of the Hummingbird Monitoring Network to increase our knowledge about hummingbirds. They realized that State Parks/Natural Areas are perfect settings for conducting three and four-dimensional scientific research in outdoor laboratories while also educating children and adults about science.
Sonoita Creek Natural Area near Patagonia has been monitoring birds since January and Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park will be a feeder-watch opportunity for new volunteers this fall. The Verde River Greenway Natural Area near Cottonwood, has also been designated by Audubon as an "Important Bird Area" and will be the next Park looking for citizen scientists. These State Parks will all offer high profile hummingbird conservation education events to engage the public in this volunteer research opportunity.
If you like to find out more about being a citizen scientist and a hummingbird feeder-watch volunteer, read about the Arizona State Parks Rim Project at AZStateParks.com/volunteer/v_rimproject or call State Parks headquarters at (602) 542-4174.
For more information about the 30 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow us on twitter.com/AZStateParks.
Learn More About the RIM Volunteer Program 
link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_09-22-09.html
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