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October 5 Program: Florida Young Birders Club Takes Flight

Updated: Sep 26, 2023


Presented by:

Jim McGinity, Environmental Resource Teacher, Learning Gate Community School

Jim will be joined by a special guest - a Florida Young Birder


County Extension Office


5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584


Thursday, Oct. 5

6 pm: Photo Club

7 pm: Potluck (Bring a dish to share)

7:30 pm: Announcements and Program



Free and open to the public - Registration not required

In 2021, three different Audubon chapters joined forces to create a state-wide effort to engage youth interested in sharing their interest in birds, birding and bird conservation. The result of their effort is the Florida Young Birders Club. The club offers regular bird outings in several areas around the state, joint outings and monthly Jay Chats highlighting bird research projects and potential career options for youth. As the club grows, it hopes to add chapters in every region of Florida and eventually host an annual, one- day conference for the kids.


Jim McGinity is a biologist and environmental educator with a life-long passion for birds. He started bird watching at the age of seven and has shared his love of birds with people of all ages while working at nature/environmental centers in four different states (Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida).


He began a migratory bird banding station in Milwaukee and has participated in a number of research and citizen science projects involving birds. In 2011, he began a migratory bird banding station in west central Florida (Dunedin), where he bands for six weeks every spring and fall.


He is very interested in communicating the importance of native plants and healthy ecosystems to resident and migratory birds. A native of Indiana, McGinity has lived in Dunedin for 12 years where he enjoys exploring Florida's natural areas, including paddling rivers/streams and bird watching on our beautiful beaches and in Hammock Park.


After a 20+ year career as an environmental educator at nature/environmental centers in four states, he now works at an environmental charter school (K – 8). He is very interested in collaborating with researchers, educators and banders around Florida to contribute to our knowledge of neotropical migrants and how we can collaborate to conserve them for future generations.

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