Nature Conservation Foundation-14 Cities, 14 Walks
- Delhi, Kolkata, Mysuru, Mumbai, Shirgao, Gobuk, Bengaluru, Dimapur, Halol, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Ranchi, Trivandrum and Ujjain
Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), a premier wildlife research and conservation organization in India, partnered with the Ataavi Bird Foundation through its flagship nature education program, Early Bird, to foster curiosity and awareness about birds among young children. This initiative brought together birdwatching and conservation for children across 14 cities. Ataavi’s support enabled the dissemination of engaging educational materials and fostered curiosity about birds and nature among children, contributing meaningfully to the long-term objective of building an ecologically aware and conservation-minded generation.
Partnered with
Objectives
- Cultivate early interest in birds and nature among children aged 9–13.
- Introduce children to birdwatching and conservation through interactive activities.
- Support educators and local nature organizations with engaging materials.
- Encourage the use of citizen science tools and nature journaling.
- Promote family and community involvement in bird awareness.
Outcomes
- Reach: 245 children across 14 cities, guided by trained nature educators
- Tools & Resources: Distributed Early Bird kits (flashcards, bird bingo, brochures, handbooks in regional languages)
- Local Impact: Regional partnerships brought contextual relevance and accessibility to the events
- Engagement: High interactivity through “Bird Survivor,” “Match the Bill,” and “What’s that Bird?” games ensured joyful and lasting learning
Bird walks were organized across Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Mysuru, Goa, Gobuk, Bengaluru, Dimapur, Halol, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Ranchi, Trivandrum, and Ujjain, bringing together children aged 9-13. These locations were chosen for their rich biodiversity, from bustling urban green spaces to serene wetlands and forested habitats. The walks combined education and engagement, offering insights into bird behaviour, citizen science, and creative learning activities. Each event fostered community participation, turning bird watching into a shared experience of discovery and conservation.
Bird Behaviour: Participants observed and learned about how different bird species interacted with their environment, including their feeding habits, calls, nesting patterns, and migratory movements.
Citizen Science: Attendees contributed their bird sightings to open databases, helping build a larger pool of data that supported conservation efforts.
Storytelling: Naturalists and birders shared engaging narratives about local birdlife, cultural connections, and personal birding experiences.
Journaling: Participants documented their observations through field notes, sketches, and reflective writing, which fostered a deeper personal connection to nature.
Games and Sketching: Interactive games and guided sketching sessions made bird watching fun and accessible, especially for beginners and younger participants.
In collaboration with
Pushkar Nargolkar
An avid birder, nature educator, inspires youth towards bird and nature conservation through creative outreach and leads bird walk.
