Bird Advocate Service Patch Program® from Youth Squad®

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This patch and all program supplies are available from our partner site MakingFriends®.com.

Suggested Group Craft

Cold weather is the time for us to take better care of our feathered friends with things like these Cardboard Tube Bird Feeders. They are inexpensive and easy to make so have the kids make a lot of them and watch the birds flock to your yards.

Suggested Prerequisite

Completing the Bird Sanctuary Volunteer Patch Program® is a suggested prerequisite for earning your Bird Advocate Patch. Your volunteer experience will help provide you with the knowledge needed to advocate for birds. You can also opt to complete the Sanctuary Volunteer patch requirements during the time you earn this volunteer patch.

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Requirement 1: Research It!

Scientists believe there is a reduction in migratory song birds due to a reduction in their habitats during migration. Their migration routes are called flyways. By choosing to protect birds in your community you will also be protecting birds from all over North and South America.

Map courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Discussion Points:

Which flyway is our community in? Helpful Links: songbird migration patterns. waterfowl migration, view the four flyways
Are there threatened species in our community? Helpful Links: birds of management concern, top ten endangered bird species, find endangered species

What threatens birds in your area? Helpful Links: main bird threats, why birds are declining
Did our volunteering help make a difference?
Is there a need for more volunteers?
Does our community know/care about birds?
Should birds be kept as pets? Helpful Link: The Ethics of Keeping Pet Birds

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Requirement 2: Do It!

Choose a bird issue to advocate for. Some ideas:

Make your neighborhood bird-friendly.
Get more volunteers for a sanctuary.
Raise money for a bird issue (your organization may not allow you to raise funds, check first.)
Educate people about responsible bird ownership.

Who do you want to reach? Some ideas:

Your Family
Neighbors
Politicians — Helpful link: How to Contact Your Elected Officials

Classmates
Your Fellow Worshipers
Other Groups or Organizations

How will you reach them? Helpful link: How to Advocate for Your Cause

Some Ideas:

Talk to them. Consider wearing a button as a conversation starter.
Hand out flyers. Consider setting up a booth to collect donations if allowed.
Hang tags on doors and mail boxes.

Make posters.
Reach out with social media such as Facebook.
Send a press release to your local newspaper or school newspaper. Helpful link: How to write a press release.

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Requirement 3: Review It!

Always remember to thank those who helped with your advocacy program.

Ways to say Thank You:

Personally thank individuals and businesses who helped. A hand written letter is always nice. Helpful link: How to write a thank you letter.
Thank the community as a whole with posters.
Create a follow up press release and include the names of individuals and businesses who participated.

Thank the community as a whole on social media.
Give certificates of appreciation.

Discuss Your Advocacy Project

Do you think your service project advanced the welfare of birds?
Will you continue?

What else can you do to promote bird welfare in your community?

Congratulations you have earned the Bird Advocate patch! The patch can be purchased from our partner site MakingFriends®.com.

You can become an Animal Welfare Advocate by earning all 5 animal advocate level patches.

Does this give you any ideas for becoming a Bird Delegate.

See all our current Advocate level Patch Program®s:

Related Fun Patch Ideas:

Note: Many of the links provided to assist with completing our Patch Program®s are external and do not imply an endorsement or recommendation. At the time of publication, external content was vetted to the best of our ability. Your views and ideas may vary and we do not intend for you to substitute our opinions for yours. Research the topic thoroughly before beginning a project. As always, make sure children access the internet only under safe-surfing conditions.