Discover Nature and Identify Birds at “The Great Backyard Bird Count” Training Event at Gateway Arch National Park
ST. LOUIS – As part of the 23rd annual Great Backyard Bird Count event February 14-17, Gateway Arch National Park and the Audubon Center at Riverlands are joining forces to help amateur and pro bird watchers refresh their bird logging skills with a Great Backyard Bird Count training event at the Gateway Arch on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Participants of all ages are invited to take part in the training, which begins with a free, guided bird hike along the Gateway Arch park grounds. Afterwards, Audubon and NPS staff will lead a training on participating in this global citizen science count and how to correctly log birds online. Participants will also discover what birds are common in the St. Louis region at this time, and how you can attract those birds to your backyard.
“This interactive training event is a great way to explore the newly renovated Gateway Arch park grounds while discovering native bird species common to our urban national park – Gateway Arch National Park – during the winter months,” says Erin Hilligoss-Volkmann, Director of Education, Gateway Arch National Park.
Registration for this training event is encouraged by contacting Erin Hilligoss-Volkmann at 314-655-1615 or by emailing her at [email protected].
Launched in 1998, the Great Backyard Bird Count is a worldwide citizen science initiative to create a snapshot of birds all across the globe and answer “big picture” questions about what’s happening to bird populations over time. Last year, more than 160,000 participants submitted their bird observations online, creating the largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded.
WHAT: Great Backyard Bird Count Training Event
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020; 8:30-10:30 a.m. Meet at the Arch’s west entrance plaza.
WHERE: Gateway Arch park grounds
COST: Free and open to all ages. Please register by calling 314-655-1615 or by emailing [email protected].
ARCH VISITOR REMINDERS
The Tram Ride to the Top of the Arch sells out early and often. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tram ride tickets in advance at gatewayarch.com/buytickets. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled tram time. For more information, visit nps.gov/jeff or gatewayarch.com, or call 877-982-1410.
Visitors to the Arch must enter the monument at the new glass west entrance, which faces the Old Courthouse. The Arch legs are exits only.
Gateway Arch National Park does not have designated on-site visitor parking. A list of parking locations near the park can be found at getaroundstl.com. Metered street parking is also available around the park.