Submitted During the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, people are often looking for fun things to do and learn. If you need some inspiration for the coming long weekend, the Nature Conservancy of . . .
The seeing eye
Feb 10, 2021
WEBINAR ON RACISM: As a continuation of its racial justice-focused Lunch and Learn series, YWCA Mahoning Valley is hosting a “Racism as a Public Health Crisis: Learning from Ohio Communities” webinar noon Monday on Zoom.
The event features Lisa McDuffie, president / CEO of YWCA Northwest Ohio. McDuffie independently contributed to “The Toledo Black Agenda,” a document that addresses critical pillars that are vital to the success and equality of the black community.
The webinar includes a conversation with community leaders in the Valley, and will be facilitated by Leah Merritt, president and CEO of YWCA Mahoning Valley. To sign up for the virtual event, email mwrite@mvywca.org.
NC Sierra Club Foothills Group Virtual Program Meeting Join the Great Backyard Bird Count 2021 Community Event Thursday, February 11, 2021 - 7:00pm
Thursday, February 11, 2021: Virtual Program Meeting Join the Great Backyard Bird Count 2021
Join us for the Club Foothills Group Virtual Program Meeting The Great Backyard Bird Count 2021: How You Can Participate presented by Nathan & Sarah Gatto, owners of Wright s Backyard Birding Center. Join us virtually to learn how you can participate in this year s event.
From GBBC: Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these four days we invite people to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them to us. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.
Library calendar for Feb. 10-16
Ocala Star-Banner
TODAY
Celebrate Every Day: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick. Free. From Dragon Appreciation Day to Crossword Puzzle Day, we are celebrating! There’s something happening every day this branch is open, so check with us and celebrate! All ages welcome. Call 352-438-2566 to register.
Shake, Rattle and Read: 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. Headquarters-Ocala Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Free. A variety of stories, songs and activities for young children with caregivers. Ages 5 and younger. Call 352-438-2560 to register.
Forest Readers Book Club: 10:30 a.m. Forest Public Library, 905 S. Highway 315A, Ocklawaha. Free. Make new friends and talk about books! “The Almost Moon” by Alice Sebold. Call 352-438-2540 to register.
Great Backyard Bird Count 2021 could be biggest ever
Updated Feb 10, 2021;
Posted Feb 10, 2021
The blue jay is one of the top 10 most counted birds annually in the Great Backyard Bird Count. (GBBC photo)
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The 24th annual GBBC is scheduled for Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15.
All birding indices, from sales of bird feeders and seed to downloads of bird-identification apps, have trended significantly upward during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year a record 268,674 participants (up from 224,781) submitted 249,444 checklists reporting the 6,942 bird species they spotted during the GBBC (up from 204,921 checklists and 6,699 species).
And, as in every GBBC since the very first, birders in Pennsylvania were among the top in 2020. They submitted 8,899 checklists, placing the state fifth behind California, with 13,331 checklists; New York, 10,535; Texas, 10,193; and Florida, 10,976. Rounding out the top 10 last year were Virginia, 7,088; Ohio, 7,063;