A key part of PSBO’s mission is to improve citizen capacity to effectively monitor local wildlife. Training volunteers in avian monitoring skills develops citizens with skills to help operate PSBO projects, engages the public’s comprehension of wildlife needs, and promotes citizen understanding of science-based decision-making.
Several PSBO projects use bird-banding to collect data and build awareness about local bird populations, so PSBO training has focused on building bird-banding capacity. PSBO has developed a tiered bird-bander training program that enables aspiring banders to learn about avian anatomy, physiology and ecology while steadily building field and research skills from novice to certified bander and project manager.
In addition, particular PSBO projects require volunteers with specialized skill sets, so as needed PSBO develops training classes. A 2009 example was training for color-band resighting for the Urban Winter Bird Study. Future classes may include Barn Swallow nest monitoring at the Woodland Park Zoo and using eBird to improve avian monitoring.
