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Tag: International

Bird and Banders Beyond Borders Intern Exchange Program Update

Klamath Bird Observatory is well known for its wide international reach, focusing on partnerships and capacity building across the ranges of our shared birds. KBO’s bird banding internship program has trained over 283 interns from more than 17 countries. The Mantiqueira Bird Observatory (OAMa) is a fruit of this capacity-building program, which is now running its own training program in Brazil. As part of the continued partnership between these two observatories, we are pleased to announce a new internship exchange program! After training in their home country, biologists will have the opportunity to visit and train at the other observatory. KBO will host a student from OAMa for three or six months each year, and OAMa will host a student from KBO for up to three months at their field station in Brazil, joining the local crew at the year-round bird monitoring on the Mantiqueira Highlands.

We are excited to share the first two interns participating in this program!

Otávio Rocha pictured to the left is OAMa’s Science Communication and Outreach Assitant. They will be traveling to KBO to train in the 2023 banding season.

“It is a great honor to participate in this exchange program as an OAMa representative. I am excited to start a new stage in my career and to apply all this rich experience in Brazilian biodiversity conservation initiatives.”

 

 

 

Victor Gonzalez, pictured on the right, was an intern in the 2022 banding season and will be traveling to Brazil to train with the OAMa staff as a KBO representative.

“The opportunity of this exchange internship is a blessing, being able to go to another bird observatory to learn from and work with. As a bird bander, it feels unreal going to a place you don’t know any of the birds, but at the same time, it feels like the best opportunity to try myself and keep improving in my professional career.”

 

 

Please help us support these amazing young scientists with a donation that will go to their travel and lodging. You can donate to the Avian Internship Memorial Fund. This fund was set up by the family and friends of Patricia Buettner to help support KBO’s long-running internship program.

These interns will also be supported by the FUNdraiser trip to Brazil happening April 12th-20th, 2023. There are only three spots left for this trip. The total cost is $5,000, due February 10th; this includes hotels, food (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and transportation (to and from the airport and during the trip). You can learn more HERE. 

This article first appeared in OAMa’s newsletter. You can sign up for their newsletter here. 

A Trip to Brazil Presentation

Join Klamath Bird Observatory and Mantiqueira Bird Observatory (OAMa) for a presentation highlighting our FUNdraising trip to Brazil on April 12th-20th, 2023. Luiza, cofounder of OAMa, and Jaime, KBO Science Director, will present trip details and be available to help answer any questions about this fantastic opportunity on November 20th at 5 pm. This is a hybrid event with in-person being held at the KBO office. During this trip, you will bird with local scientists, visit beautiful national parks, participate in a photography workshop, and watch bird banding in action at OAMa. Register for the presentation on the form below. If you are interested in the trip to Brazil but cannot attend the presentation, you can reach out to Elva at ejm@klamathbird.org.

What this trip funds:

Klamath Bird Observatory is well known for its wide international reach, focusing on partnerships and capacity building across the ranges of our shared birds. KBO’s bird banding internship program has trained over 283 interns from more than 17 countries. The Mantiqueira Bird Observatory (OAMa) is a fruit of this capacity-building program, which is now running its training program in Brazil. As part of the continued partnership between these two observatories, we are pleased to announce a new internship exchange program! After training in their home country, biologists will have the opportunity to visit and train at the other observatory. KBO will host a student from OAMa for three or six months each year, and OAMa will host a student from KBO for up to three months at their field station in Brazil, joining the local crew at the year-round bird monitoring on the Mantiqueira Highlands. The cost of this trip helps fund this amazing internship program for both organizations and the intern.

A non-refundable deposit of $2500 is required to reserve your seat. The trip cost is $5000 per person, total due February 10th. $2500 of the trip fees is a donation. The cost does not include airfare.

Here is a draft itinerary for the Brazil trip. Subject to change. Brazil Itinerary 2023


Klamath Bird Observatory follows CDC guidelines. KBO events are being offered with COVID-19 safety as KBO’s primary concern. Proof of vaccination will be required for all in-person participants. All individuals attending an event must also fill out the Waiver of Liability form that will be emailed to you once you register for the event. Paper copies will be available at the event. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Masks are not required but wear based on comfortability.