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Exploring the Incredible Country of Ecuador

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join Rob Ripma, ABAS President and owner of Sabrewing Nature Tours, for our January program at Holliday Park Nature Center. The program shows us the birds and wildlife that you can expect to find while exploring the northern part of Ecuador. As we travel from the high Andes to the tropical rainforest, you’re sure to learn about some exciting birds!

The Road to 1000!

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

By today’s birding standards, a goal of seeing 1000 species of birds seems somewhat trivial. But to some people, it’s a big goal!  With a family of 5 children, a full-time salaried job, and all of the full-time tasks that go along with it, getting to the goal has been no easy task.  Join speaker Chad Williams as he takes you on a brief journey through some of his travels in the U.S., Mexico, Central and South America. 

Bubbly Birder Big Year

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join ABAS Board member Amy Hodson as she shares stories from a whirlwind of a year that got her to 302 species as well as the highlights, the misses, and the stories in between. This program will be conversational, so bring your questions and we will see you there!

A Journey to the Bottom of the World

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join Lynea Hinchman, of La Porte County, Indiana, for  A Journey to the Bottom of the World. Antarctica, the White Continent, is a wealth of wildlife and wonder. Imagine walking among penguins or being within feet of nesting Albatross or on a beach covered with Elephant Seals or having your dinner interrupted by a pod of Orcas on a feeding frenzy. Join ABAS and Lynea as we take a brief journey to this vast world of breathtaking beauty and amazing wildlife spectacles.

Dawn to Dusk: Two Young Birders’ Take on a Big Day

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Last spring, five young birders took on a grueling 24-hour competition known as a Big Day. Hyped up on Red Bull and various forms of carbohydrates, the group logged 151 species despite birding on April 30, an early date during migration. Although it poured most of the day, these young birders were still able to find birds such as Chuck-will’s-widow, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Barn Owl. Join Matthias Benko and Ceth Williams at Holliday Park for an account of their day, from midnight to midnight.

Event Series Guatemala: A Birder’s Paradise

Guatemala: A Birder’s Paradise

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he takes us on a photographic journey though the incredible country of Guatemala. Not only is Guatemala a birder’s paradise with species such as Pink-headed Warbler and Horned Guan, it’s also one of the best countries in Central America to experience the ancient Mayan culture. From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua to the ancient Tikal ruins, there are numerous fascinating cultural and historic sites to see. Combine that with a wonderful diversity of birds, and Guatemala is a country that you don’t want to miss! 

“Jeop-birdy” with Wes Homoya

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Wes Homoya, a native Hoosier, is an avid birder, tour guide, conservationist, and bartender, among other things. His travels and ornithological employments have allowed him to live and bird in places as varied as Maui, Brazil, the Galapagos, Hungary, SE Asia, and Ecuador. Come and test your avian skills playing one of the world's most beloved game shows.

Coffee – A History and Conservation

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Jessica Helmbold, ABAS Education Chair, loves coffee. Most people love coffee, though are most people as obsessed with coffee as she is? Jessica presents the history of coffee, and how to select and brew the best coffees. Clearing land for the production of staple crops such as bananas, pineapples, and coffee is one of the biggest threats to our rainforests. Coffee can grow in harmony with the rainforest. Learn how the small choices we make can make a difference. We will also sample different varieties of Rainforest Alliance coffees. Join us!

Bird Photography – Beyond the Snapshot

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join well known local birder and photographer, Ryan Sanderson, for an informative program on photographing birds. He will take us to the next steps, and show us how to go beyond just taking snapshots to something you might hang on your wall.

Hoosier Whooping Cranes

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join Danielle Williams, Whooping Crane Outreach Program Assistant for Indiana for the International Crane Foundation (ICF), for an informative program about Whooping Cranes in Indiana.  Did you know the tallest birds in North America winter right here in Indiana? Historically, this was not always the case. In this program, Danielle will discuss how the Whooping Crane made its amazing comeback from fewer than 20 individuals in the 1940s to over 800 today. Learn about the creative methods used to bring Whooping Cranes back to the eastern United States, the ongoing challenges associated with this effort, and what the ICF is doing to help these cranes right here in Indiana.

Birding The Nature Conservancy Properties in Indiana

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join Matt Williams for our February program. As Director of Conservation Programs for The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, Matt will take us on a virtual tour of some of the Conservancy’s best properties around the state, and show us a photography slide show of some of the bird species that can be seen at these sites.  Matt will also tell us a bit about his new book, Endangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest.

Birding in South Africa

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join ABAS member, shutterbug, and local birder Doug Vine as he presents photo highlights from his recent visit to South Africa. African creatures are majestic and awe-inspiring, and so are the birds! Doug's trip included a Capetown-based pelagic trip, and safaris into Kruger National Park, the Karoo, and KwaZulu-Natal regions. 

Why Bird Feeding Makes a Difference

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join ABAS Board Director Brian Cunningham for an informative program about feeding the birds. Anyone who has ever fed wild birds knows that it can bring joy to their lives. But, does bird feeding just benefit people? Do the birds become dependent on the food we provide? We’ll take a look at what we have learned from various scientific studies and citizen science data on why feeding wild birds makes a difference for the health and well-being of people and for our backyard feathered visitors.

Ornithology Center Celebrates Ten Years!

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

For 10 years, the Eagle Creek Ornithology Center has provided top notch bird-based education to the city of Indianapolis and beyond. Join Ornithology Center Manager Will Schaust as he updates members on improvements to the center, ABAS funded projects, the 10 year anniversary of the "OC", and answers your questions.

White River Vision Plan

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join Brad Beaubien, Long Range Planning Administrator for the City of Indianapolis, as he presents an update on the White River Vision Plan.

Indiana Raptor Center

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Who doesn’t love raptors?  And, who doesn’t love learning more about them?  Join us as we host the Indiana Raptor Center alongside some of their Education Ambassadors ... raptors!  The presentation will introduce you to the world of raptors along with some of the current projects of the Center. ABAS Birdathon grants have supported the Center each year since 2015.

Birds of Great Britain

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join Jessica Helmbold, ABAS Education Chair, as she unravels the mystery surrounding birds of Great Britain. How are British birds similar or different from US birds? Hint: it's not their accents! Step into the avian world of our neighbors across the pond.

Antarctica Field Research

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join Dan Boritt, Holliday Park Manager, for an informative discussion of the time he spent doing field research in Antarctica. Weddell Seals inhabit one of the most inhospitable places on earth.  How can they reproduce in such a place?  How do people live there?  Come and learn how these seals survive, how the researchers survive, and some chance encounters with the few birds that call this land home!

The Best of Birding in Central America – Which Country is Right for You?

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join ABAS President and Sabrewing Nature Tours owner Rob Ripma as he explains what factors you should consider when deciding which country in Central America you want to visit. From birding and experiencing the culture of Guatemala to discovering the remote and exciting Darién province in Panama, Rob will help you explore all the best birding options in this incredible region!

The Secret Love Life of Birds

Holliday Park Nature Center 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States

Join John and Will Schaust as they share research on the pair-bonding strategy of birds through some fascinating facts and humorous analogies to our own crazy courtship behaviors.