Date: 12/11/08
Contact: C. Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3500

COUNTING ON CHRISTMAS

Wildlife enthusiasts can put some outdoors in their holiday season by participating in the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count, which begins on Sunday, Dec. 14 and will run through Monday, Jan. 5. This event is also an opportunity to begin a new holiday tradition by getting the entire family outside to see some of nature's winter decorations.

"The Christmas Bird Count has been going on for over a hundred years and provides important information on the populations of birds across the Americas.
With this information, ornithologists can detect declines or range differences due to habitat loss, environmental changes, and other factors. They can also see positive changes in some cases," said Margie Klein, wildlife education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife,

Aspiring citizen scientists can bring good will to the conservation world by participating in any of a number of bird count events going on in their local area. In Southern Nevada, the Red Rock Audubon Society is sponsoring three bird count outings:

- Corn Creek, Dec. 20 from 7:00 a.m. – dusk
- Ash Meadows, Dec. 21, from 7:00 a.m. – dusk
- Henderson, Dec. 27, from 6:30 a.m. – dusk

Reservations are required. More information is available online at www.redrockaudubon.org.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.