Course Registration
VOL - Bird by Bird Classroom Support
Bird by Bird Classroom Support website
500 Lafayette Rd.St. Paul, MN 55155
Volunteer with our Bird by Bird Program
Do you love birds? Do you want to share that love with elementary school students and communities? Become a Bird by Bird volunteer!
The Bird by Bird program
is looking for reliable and passionate adults to help foster meaningful experiences for youth to connect to nature and nourish a love of birds and wildlife. This volunteer opportunity has availability from September 15, 2025 through June 10, 2026.
To sign up, complete a Bird by Bird Program application by selecting the "Take Course" button at the bottom of the page.
For more information: Contact Benjamin Gieseke, Wildlife Education Coordinator, at benjamin.gieseke@state.mn.us or (651) 259-5091.
Example volunteer roles
Classroom Bird Watching Support
- Provide expertise in bird identification and the use of binoculars and field guides in the classroom.
- Lead bird walks around school grounds and the school's neighborhood.
- Lead the classroom's participation in Project FeederWatch.
- Lead an activity related to preventing bird window collisions (e.g. creating decals) and explain the importance of this.
- Assist teachers in implementation of Bird by Bird's outdoor curricula.
- Some knowledge of Minnesota's common birds and their identification is desirable.
- Must be comfortable interacting with elementary-aged students.
- Some experience with or knowledge of engaging with children in an educational setting is helpful.
- Experience using eBird is helpful, but not required.
- Attendance at an orientation session (virtual or in person, date TBD) is required.
Bird Feeder Maintenance
- Ensure feeders are delivered, stocked, and cleaned throughout the year.
- Demonstrate how to clean a bird feeder and explain why this is important to students.
- Coordinate with schools to access feeders for refilling and maintenance.
- Communicate to Education Coordinator if additional supplies are needed or bird feeders become damaged.
- No prior knowledge necessary.
Logistical support
- As needed support for tasks such as: preparing classroom kits of binoculars and field guides, preparing bird feeders for classrooms, assisting with event preparation, etc.
- No prior knowledge or experience necessary.
Course Dates:
Meeting from 12:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on:
- Monday, September 15, 2025
- Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Instructor Information
Benjamin has spent his entire career working with young people, and joined Camp Fire MN as a naturalist after completing a degree in Environmental Science and moving into the outdoor education world. Benjamin has subsequently joined the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and administers the state’s Bird by Bird and EPIC programs for the nongame wildlife office. Benjamin's professional interests include birdwatching, climate change education, evolutionary biology, ornithology, and low impact living solutions. As a naturalist Benjamin has worked with thousands of young people, connecting youth from marginalized communities to natural spaces and fostering a love of the outdoors.
Sponsor Information
DNR Nongame Wildlife Program
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