Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Transcription

1 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary 1700 Hawk Mountain Road Kempton, Pa Donna Laskosky Boyertown Area School District

2 Description of the ibb program insideberksbusiness is a five day summer learning experience for educators. Brings members of the education and business communities together for activities designed to give educators an insider s look at local businesses. During the four days, the intern learn about the company and shows teachers which skills are vital to their business to inform their students about workforce supply and demand, career trends, and potential employment opportunities. 2

3 3 July 22, 2012

4 Hawk Mountain has many sides: Hawk watching Vistas Raptor conservation Nature Education Hawk mountain s mission is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as an model observation, research and education facility. 4

5 HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY *Trees were burned for charcoal, lots of blueberry bushes were harvested, Tuscarora sandstone was mined and taken down the Slide * Today is over 2600 acres 5

6 A non profit organization with a lot of history As the world's first refuge for birds of prey, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has a dramatic history that started during the Great Depression with amateur ornithologist Richard Pough. In 1929, Pennsylvania's Game Commission placed a $5 price tag on the goshawk's head a grand sum at the time. Two years later, while Pough was a recent college graduate living in Philadelphia, he became one of a growing number of conservationists opposed to the widespread movement to eradicate wildlife predators, including predatory birds. Pough heard of the place locals called "Hawk Mountain" and decided to visit. There he saw gunners stationed, shooting hundreds of passing hawks for sport. He returned to gather the carcasses lying on the forest floor and take photographs. Pough's photographs were eventually seen by a New York conservation activist, Rosalie Edge. In 1934, Mrs. Edge came to Hawk Mountain and leased 1,400 acres. She installed a warden on the property, a New England bird enthusiast named Maurice Broun, and Maurice's wife and bird conservation partner, Irma Broun. The shooting stopped immediately and the next year, Mrs. Edge opened the Sanctuary to the public as a place to see the beautiful but persecuted birds of prey. She purchased and deeded the 1,400 acres to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, incorporated in 1938 as a non profit organization in Pennsylvania. 6

7 7 July 22, 2012

8 8 July 22, 2012

9 What does each area mean at HMS? Science: Hawk Mountain scientists collaborate with international partners, conduct research on birds of prey globally, and help train the next generation of conservationists from around the world. Education: Hawk Mountain educators teach people of all ages about raptors, their migrations, the ecosystems upon which they depend, and the habitats at the Sanctuary. Sanctuary: Hawk Mountain visitors discover the Sanctuary year round, often hiking to scenic overlooks to watch the migration of an average 20,000 southbound raptors each Autumn, and close to 1,000 northbound raptors each spring. Conservation: Founded in 1934, HMS is the world s first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation. 9

10 Day one: Summary of business experience at HMS Met one of the research scientists, Dr. Jean Francois Therrien, and drove around with several interns and trainees to kestrel nesting sites to band those that were of a certain number of days old. 10 July 22, 2012

11 American Kestrel Watch Raptor population index has shown a decline in these birds due to being a main food source for other birds of prey. 48 watch sites and was started in 1959 There are over 130 nesting boxes and scientists have banded over 5,000 kestrels. Nest box cameras have been installed to study the kestrels Parental behavior, incubation, attendance, and food (looking at diversity and number/size) 11

12 Day Two : Summary of business experience at HMS Day two: Met with Jerry Regan, HMS President, and Shelley Davenport, the business manager. Discussed Human Resource questions we may have had. Met with JF Therrien, senior biologist to take a tour of the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning and Residences for interns and trainees. Also, gave us an overview of the Conservation International Trainee program. David Barber, Research Biologist discussed an overview of Conservation Science and Long Term monitoring with a powerpoint presentation showing lots of data from the past 11 years. Visited the Education Center and learned of its many functions at HMS Visited the raptor enclosures of birds that are used for educational purposes and discussed how each is unique and what injuries they may have sustained 12

13 What do they do here at HMS? Long Term Raptor Monitoring Trainee and Graduate Student Training Appalachian Mountain Ecology Neotropical Raptor Migration Global Leadership in Raptor Migration Science 5 staff work with Conservation Science (3 PhD, 1MS Biologist) Visiting scientists and collaborators Grad students, leadership interns (from over 70 countries), and Conservation Science Trainees. About ½ of the former trainees have become collaborators for HMS out in the field all over the world. 135 publications (in house and collaborators) Present count 1934 to the present on average 19,000 hawks each fall 16 species annually, which 12,000 are Broad Wing Hawks (most common), Red Tailed, or Sharp Shined Hawks. 13

14 Raptor Monitoring Worldwide collaboration takes place when dealing with migrations Hooded vulture (smallest vulture in Africa) is endangered, due to poachers and poison darts contaminating the carrion that the vulture feeds from. Tagging Migratory connectivity and satellite telemetry, which was using satellites are now using cell towers, have gotten smaller and have been successful at tracking raptor migration Example: PA Turkey Vultures migrate to FL and GA; Canada s Vultures travel to Venezuela; Pacific Coast to Central America. These birds are considered incomplete migrants, since the entire population doesn t migrate together or at all. Most recent project is the habitat use and migration of broad wing hawks, which are complete migrants. They are the most common raptor in Pa and nest in forests in NE PA. Their population has declined 16% since the 1980s. They have successfully tagged four of this species so far. Another use of tagging is in places where no research had been done before. But 5 years ago, JF Therrien went to Bylot Island at 73 N to study the snowy owl and the search for their main source of food, lemmings. Satellite Telemetry is being used for where the moving conservation concerns are. 14

15 Day three: Summary of business experience at HMS Met with one of the volunteers, Jackie Shearer, who s been giving back to HMS for almost 30 years and had lived in NYC. She introduced us to the Native Garden and why it s important to pay attention to plants in your yard. She then gave us a tour of the greenhouses as HMS is getting ready for one of their fundraisers: the Fall Plant Sale. Lucas Wessner who is part of the Seasonal Operations at HMS talked to us about Invasive Plant species and the four most damaging to the mountain. He drove us to one of their study sites where he showed us how they removed a large section of Japanese Barberry bushes. Mary Linkevich, Communications and Grants Director, and Tammy Jandrasitz, Membership Director and Volunteer Coordinator, discussed communication skills utilized at HMS, the publications that they create, and grant writing. Tammy also discussed with us the importance of Fundraising Events, Membership Drives, and Soliciting volunteers at places like Kutztown Career Festival and Schulykill County Fair. 15

16 Native Garden splendor and woodwork with no nails made by a staff member Getting native plants ready for the Fall plant sale fundraiser Above: Japanese Barberry, one of the most invasive plants at HMS. Below: Attempt to control this thorny species. 16

17 Day four: Summary of business experience at HMS continued Rachel Taras, education specialist (Masters in ED science, Bachelors in Elem/Seced), gave a presentation to a group of children from one of the nearby areas on the Introduction the Bird, and included a live Red Tailed Hawk. Adam Carter, educator (Biology/Spanish Major), gave us a guided hike to South and the North Look Outs. He discussed with us the history, geology, uses of the mountain, raptor counting, identification of raptors, and showed us the new handicap accessible trail. Jenna Kistler, education intern, gave us a great program on the history of HMS starting from the before the Mountain became a Sanctuary, thanks to Rosalie Edge and an amateur ornithologist Richard Pough. Laurie Goodrich, Research Biologist and Hawk Watch Coordinator, and graduate student Rebecca McCabe, discussed the Broad wing Hawk Project. We met them out in the field and had the opportunity to hike to a past location of one of the nesting sites. 17

18 Sarkis Acopian & some history Left a legacy behind and donated a large sum of money to buy land and buildings to be built for research and housing. Mr. Acopian left endowments to pay for the director of the Acopian center as well as the continued maintenance of the buildings there. He was an Armenian engineer that loved birding and lived in the Bethlehem area. The time to protect a species is now when it s still common. Rosalie Edge 18

19 Hawk Mountain Staff HMS has 15 full time employees with paid benefits, over 200 volunteers, and about 15 seasonal staff. Payroll at HMS reaches a million dollars, so there s a lot of grant writing. HMS sees over 75,000 visitors, of which 8 12,ooo are school students. There are three full time educators that take care of the students. Have education interns on the shoulder seasons (off season not spring or fall). They are paid by unrestrictive funds Endowments pay for training programs as well as many other things at HMS, like maintenance of the Acopian Center for example. Any donation greater than $10,000 goes into an endowment. They will some times ask donors for funds to pay for educational trips to provide enrichment for trainees, interns, and staff. 19

20 Educational skill requirements of new hires For being in the Communications, Grants, and Membership areas, new hires would need Good English speaking skills Be at a professional writing level Preferably PR majors Bachelor s isn t necessary but an equivalent to that is necessary. Most likely due to the amount of experience one would have in the field. 20

21 Salary ranges and benefits for entry level positions Starting at about $25,o00 Salary can range from $22,000 to 100,000, based on experience and old school thought. 100% of benefits paid by HMS, room and board is offered, as well as a vehicle Only thing the trainee/intern pays for are the bills they create. A stipend is available for food as well. 21

22 Hawk Mountain s greatest asset 2 elements: PEOPLE and PASSION. This is from the board to the staff at HMS. Board has room for 25 seats and is very diverse in the backgrounds that they have, from lawyers and doctors to the secretary for DCNR and former game commission person. The staff and board agree what the priorities are and have been here a long time. Not much of a turnover rate. 81 years of being the mecca of the birding world. Every enthusiast and intern strives to work their way to HMS. 22

23 Technology utilized by host company Variety, upgraded servers to now connect information and share files from HMS to the Acopian Center. (may be why this place works so well passion, people, face to face communication) Websites, smartboards, QR readers on the trails, use of Google calendar for scheduling, satellite telemetry to monitor raptor movement In order to get more memberships and donors, the staff at HMS does most of their advertising through publications and PR. A lot of the communication is for traveling tourists. Two member magazines/brochures, posters Social Media Flicker Pinterest Facebook 23

24 Host company s greatest challenge and how it is being addressed Financial: long term sustainability and conservation Fundraising, grant writing, endowments Constantly finding new ways to keep up with the yearly increase of wages Technology: if everyone doesn t use it then it doesn t work, but only if there s funding can there even be technology to use. For some of the staff, the issue is managing priorities, time management, and figuring out what to do next or new, especially for more membership revenue. 24

25 Synthesis of skills that students are required to have in order to be successful in the workplace flexible/adaptable knowledgeable able to write well listen to instructions Collaboration/communication Problem solving capable of using all types of social media 25

26 Summary of Project Abstract: Career Awareness Activity #1 Name: Donna Laskosky Unit Title: Connecting with Nature: Flat Blue Subject Area: Earth/Environmental Grade Level: 8 th PA Academic Standards Addressed: C Explain and demonstrate conflict resolution skills: Constructive criticism Group dynamics Managing/Leadership Mediation Negotiation Problem Solving E Identify and apply time management strategies as they relate to both personal and work situations. Content Academic Standards Addressed: D. Use the theory of natural selection to examine the causes and consequences of extinction A. Explain how Best Management Practices (BMP) can be used to mitigate environmental problems D. Compare and contrast waste generated from various sources of energy C. Describe how humans can reduce pollution. Activity: Materials One per student: One "Flat Blue," copied from the image here or from content/uploads/2011/03/flat_blue.pdf Digital camera Paper and pen Procedure Students will select a special place outdoors, maybe even Hawk Mountain. They will take the silhouette along to take a few pictures with it. Students will keep a journal and write down their observations using all of their senses. Students will research the National Wildlife Refuge website and use some of that information in their creative story. Their groups will then read and give gentile critiques along with questions or other constructive comments. 26

27 Summary of Project Abstract: Career Awareness Activity #2 Name: Donna Laskosky Unit Title: Conservation in Action Subject Area: Earth/Environmental Grade Level: 8 th PA Academic Standards Addressed: A Identify effective speaking and listening skills used in a job interview B Analyze the role of each participant s contribution to a team setting C Explain and demonstrate conflict resolution skills: Constructive criticism Group dynamics Managing/Leadership Mediation Negotiation Problem Solving E Identify and apply time management strategies as they relate to both personal and work situations. Content Academic Standards Addressed: D. Use the theory of natural selection to examine the causes and consequences of extinction A. Explain how Best Management Practices (BMP) can be used to mitigate environmental problems C. Describe how humans can reduce pollution. Activity: Materials Conservation in Action: Guarding Our Wildlife Resources Brochure and Rachel Carson Fact Sheet (find at and wildlife) Computer with presentation program (such as PowerPoint) Poster making materials Video camera (optional) Web site creation software (optional) Procedure: Students will brainstorm several discussion questions and then do some reading on Rachel Carson. The teams will be asked to create a presentation together that will emphasize Carson s life. Students will present these as a team in which everyone will have some input. Students will begin to read the brochure and discuss the questions that will be asked of the whole group. 27

28 This was a fantastic experience I had as an intern at Hawk Mountain. I teach environmental science and had no idea how much they deal with conservation of the land as well as the continuing protection of the raptor population that migrates through our area every year. I'm very interested in the geology of the area, the constant fight against invasive species, as well as new techniques that are constantly being incorporated to help manage the issues the mountain faces. I'm hoping to take a lot of the information they provided and teach my students about the importance of native plants around their homes and why they're so important for species higher up the food chain. Also, the people who work their have many skills, for example being flexible, able to write well, communicate effectively, and most importantly have a passion for being outdoors. My personal HMS abstract