Tracy Aviary’s Conservation Science Program is offering a 6-month class on the birds of Utah. The instructor, Bryant Olsen, is one of the most well-respected bird authorities in the region. Bryant has been birding for over twenty years, and was the recipient of the 2017 Utah Birder of the Year Award. Class participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the many bird species present in Utah. Bryant will teach about when and where to find each species, import identification tips to differentiate between birds, their ecological roles and behaviors, and the evolutionary relationships between species. This class is designed for intermediate to advanced birders who want to increase their birding skill and gain a better understanding of bird identification and ecology. Some basic understanding of birds is assumed.
Weekly indoor sessions will take place on Thursday evening from 6pm-8pm at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai. During these sessions, Bryant will cover a group of similar birds that are in the area at that time. The following Sunday morning, Bryant will lead a field trip to look for the species covered that week, as the best teachers are the birds themselves. Sunday field trip times will vary depending on destination, time of sunrise, and weather, but participants should expect early mornings. Travel to field trip destinations may be provided by the Aviary via our passenger van.
Classes and field trips will take place every Thursday and Sunday from August 22, 2024 to January 9, 2025.
Space is limited to 14 participants for the in-person class.
Pricing
-If you are food/housing insecure, support yourself on minimum wage, or paying for this class/service would sacrifice a necessity, you should pay $100.
-If you stress from meeting basic needs but do meet them, have some expendable income, or would have to reassess your budget, you should pay $300.
-If you comfortably meet your needs, have savings, are able to buy things you want or don't need, you should pay the regular price of $500.
(If you want to join the class virtually, please navigate back to our website and click on the "Virtual" event registration.)