Texas Estuarine Resource Network or T.E.R.N. is a community-based citizen science program promoting bird monitoring and conservation.
Our Mission
Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.
Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.
Company Overview
TERN is managed by the Audubon Texas Coastal Program. The Coastal Program began in 1923, when Audubon established a system of island sanctuaries along the Texas Coast. These island sanctuaries are home to twenty-plus species of colonial waterbirds, several of which are considered endangered or threatened. The majority of waterbirds that nest along the Coast nest on an Audubon owned or leased islands. The TERN program continues Audubon’s legacy of protecting colonial waterbirds by engaging citizens in the community to gather valuable data about bird populations in foraging grounds and rookery habitats. The data collected through citizen science programs can be incorporated into management and conservation plans, and influence local, state and federal policy development.
TERN is managed by the Audubon Texas Coastal Program. The Coastal Program began in 1923, when Audubon established a system of island sanctuaries along the Texas Coast. These island sanctuaries are home to twenty-plus species of colonial waterbirds, several of which are considered endangered or threatened. The majority of waterbirds that nest along the Coast nest on an Audubon owned or leased islands. The TERN program continues Audubon’s legacy of protecting colonial waterbirds by engaging citizens in the community to gather valuable data about bird populations in foraging grounds and rookery habitats. The data collected through citizen science programs can be incorporated into management and conservation plans, and influence local, state and federal policy development.
Description
The Texas Estuarine Resource Network (TERN) seeks to engage the public in research concerning two main topics: colonial waterbird rookery monitoring and waterbird foraging habitat monitoring. Rookery islands cannot exist without adequate foraging habitat and foraging habitat quality can have an effect on the production of chicks in nearby rookeries.
The Texas Estuarine Resource Network (TERN) seeks to engage the public in research concerning two main topics: colonial waterbird rookery monitoring and waterbird foraging habitat monitoring. Rookery islands cannot exist without adequate foraging habitat and foraging habitat quality can have an effect on the production of chicks in nearby rookeries.
Through this FREE Training Program volunteers will learn how to identify local species of colonial water birds, visit Rookery Island and wetland foraging grounds, learn current scientific survey protocols and data collections, and will assist researchers with conducting these surveys by boat and by land. TERN volunteers will be offered educational workshops, opportunities to participate in habitat restoration, and learn more about local wildlife and natural resources of the Texas Coast. TERN participants will also be kept up to date on partner organizations’ efforts and upcoming activities.
TERN Volunteer Opportunities
TERN Volunteer Opportunities
Citizen Science Waterbird Monitoring This community-based citizen
science program promotes bird monitoring and conservation for the community,
but offers valuable data for agencies and organizations working to protect
birds and bird habitats. Each set of data collected, once linked to the
monitoring site, becomes the eyes and ears for wildlife professionals to
evaluate the health and function of the habitat based on the numbers of birds,
bird behaviors, and sometimes reveals if these habitats need special attention.
Monitoring birds is fun, convenient, and incredibly easy through this specially
designed program which trains volunteers in protocols and bird identifications
and develops skills at any level of previous experience through a supportive
network of Audubon staff, coastal wardens, and longtime nature enthusiasts.
Monitoring Field Days The best way to become a better birder is to get outside and bird with experienced birders! We organize fieldtrips with small groups of birders to conduct bird monitoring in various locations. Make friends, gain experience, have fun, and collect valuable data that will contribute to real conservation for birds and bird habitats.
Monitoring Field Days The best way to become a better birder is to get outside and bird with experienced birders! We organize fieldtrips with small groups of birders to conduct bird monitoring in various locations. Make friends, gain experience, have fun, and collect valuable data that will contribute to real conservation for birds and bird habitats.
Rookery Island Restoration Workdays Habitat
management is plays a huge part in successful breeding season and restoration
workdays offer opportunities to clean up trash, apply ant bait, remove invasive
species, and plant beneficial nesting plants.
Native Plant Nursery Native shrubs and plants are critical nesting habitat for colonial waterbirds on Rookery Islands. There is a high rate of die-off due to abundant use during nesting season and rough environmental conditions and these plants need to be replanted and replenished each year. This program grows native trees, shrubs, and other plants used by nesting birds by cutting, are grown and planted on these rookery islands in the fall to be ready for use in the next spring nesting season.
TERN for Schools Early birders get the worm and we start them young! K-12th grade programs get students out of the classroom and viewing life through binoculars with birding 101, bird biology, and field monitoring experience. Students make real life connections between the environment they live in and how they can positively or negatively impact the ecosystems with introductions to local plants and wildlife, watershed modules, trash awareness, and fieldtrips focused on natural areas near their homes and schools.
TERN for Seniors You are never too old to learn something new and seniors citizens are some of our best pupils! Engaging seniors citizens in senior living facilities through educational workshops, fun environmental activities, bird surveys, fieldtrips, and growing native shrubs for rookery islands offers unique events for the centers and the community.
Partnerships and Events Many of our partners are working to protect or conserve wildlife and wildlife habitats and we show our support in a big way. TERN volunteers pitch in on partner workdays, bird surveys, special events, and outreach booths and festivities and learn about these local organizations and how their efforts are making our world a better place.
Native Plant Nursery Native shrubs and plants are critical nesting habitat for colonial waterbirds on Rookery Islands. There is a high rate of die-off due to abundant use during nesting season and rough environmental conditions and these plants need to be replanted and replenished each year. This program grows native trees, shrubs, and other plants used by nesting birds by cutting, are grown and planted on these rookery islands in the fall to be ready for use in the next spring nesting season.
TERN for Schools Early birders get the worm and we start them young! K-12th grade programs get students out of the classroom and viewing life through binoculars with birding 101, bird biology, and field monitoring experience. Students make real life connections between the environment they live in and how they can positively or negatively impact the ecosystems with introductions to local plants and wildlife, watershed modules, trash awareness, and fieldtrips focused on natural areas near their homes and schools.
TERN for Seniors You are never too old to learn something new and seniors citizens are some of our best pupils! Engaging seniors citizens in senior living facilities through educational workshops, fun environmental activities, bird surveys, fieldtrips, and growing native shrubs for rookery islands offers unique events for the centers and the community.
Partnerships and Events Many of our partners are working to protect or conserve wildlife and wildlife habitats and we show our support in a big way. TERN volunteers pitch in on partner workdays, bird surveys, special events, and outreach booths and festivities and learn about these local organizations and how their efforts are making our world a better place.
