 New York State Ornithological Association For the birders and birds of the Empire State |
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 New
York State
Young Birders Club
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History of the NYS Young Birders Club In November 2007, Hope
Batcheller approached the New York State Ornithological
Association (NYSOA) at its annual
meeting, seeking to form a club similar to the
Ohio Young Birders Club started by Kim Kaufman
of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory.
Hope had already established an online discussion
group for young birders in New York. NYSOA
eagerly accepted the challenge to create a
club for these young birders, recognizing them
as future leaders of both local bird clubs and
NYSOA. A special committee chaired by
Carena Pooth identified the steps necessary to
bring NYSYBC to life through field trips, a
newsletter, and a website for young birders, while making
their safety and security the top priority at all times (the age range for
youth members, initially set at 12-19, has since been changed to 10-19).  Young birders with Shai Mitra at Jamaica Bay, August
2008 photo by Mary Batcheller In July 2008 the NYSYBC website went live. The young birders held their first field trip in August 2008. Shai Mitra of NYSOA's New York State Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) led a group of nine enthusiastic young birders and their parents on a birding exploration of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The highlight of the day was a White-faced Ibis seen by all. At NYSOA’s Annual Meeting in September 2008, President Bill Ostrander announced the launch of NYSYBC. The following month, the club began offering memberships in three categories – Youth, Supporting Adult, and Partner Organization.
In January 2009, an organizational meeting was held and club officers were elected: A new leadership team of officers has been elected each year following the club's Annual Kickoff conference, held in January or February.
After several membership requests had come in from young birders who were
10 or 11, the youth leaders decided in May 2009 to lower the minimum
age requirement for membership from 12 to 10.  Lunch at the Thirsty Moose after the walk at Massawepie Mire, sponsored by the Northern New York Audubon Society photo by Carena Pooth Since the beginning, the New York State Young Birders Club has conducted monthly field trips hosted by NYSYBC Partner Clubs/Organizations around the state, offering young birders the opportunity to go birding with their peers, often in places they've never explored before. Many long-lasting friendships have been formed over the years as young birders have discovered that there are indeed others in their own age group who share their passion for wild birds and conservation.
The NYSYBC Scholarships Program, funded primarily from generous donations by club supporters, was established in 2010. As of 2023, more than $40,000 have been awarded to youth members to help pay for educational programs such as youth birding camps and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's remote learning materials. To ensure the club’s continued success, more members are needed in all three categories (youth, supporting adults, and partner oranizations). You can help! Promotional display items are available that can be posted at nature centers, libraries, schools, and other places that are be visited by young birders.
If you are 20 or older, please consider joining NYSYBC as a Supporting Adult, and encourage your local bird club leaders to make your club a NYSYBC Partner Organization if it's not already on board.
Youth membership costs just $10 per year. If you are a birder between the ages of 10 and 19, join the NYS Young Birders Club and get to know other young birders like yourself! Visit the NYSYBC membership page at
Please spread the word and send all teen birders you know to the club’s website, http://www.nysyoungbirders.org. Thank you!
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