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New York, NY- This summer join Լ����Ƶ’s  and a renowned team of expert birders, naturalists, educators and authors at the historic  on Hog Island. The 6-day, 5-night programs are run by Լ����Ƶ’s Seabird Restoration Program, with Pete Dunne, Lang Elliott, Don Kroodsma, Scott Weidensaul, Sara Morris, Lynne Cherry, John Kricher, Wayne Peterson, and many others in residence during the 2012 sessions. All programs emphasize enjoyable and relaxed learning in a stunningly beautiful island setting.  The 2012 programs include sessions for amateur and avid birders, environmental educators, Լ����Ƶ Chapter leaders, teens and families.

 The Լ����Ƶ Camp in Maine is considered by many to be the birthplace of the environmental education movement in the United States.  Those who attend join a legacy of naturalists inspired by Hog Island, including Roger Tory Peterson, the camp’s first birding instructor in 1936, naturalist Rachel Carson, and Mabel Loomis Todd, editor of Emily Dickinson’s poetry transcribed on Hog Island. Participants live in original wooden buildings on the 330-acre wildlife sanctuary and are treated to fabulous meals and fresh Maine lobster by chef extraordinaire Janii Laberge.  

”It was one of the best weeks of my life. I really enjoyed the program, the staff and instructors, my new "birding buddies" and of course the food! ”  - Sujan, graduate student, NAS scholarship recipient, Minnesota

June programs ,  and , are all about birding, with boat trips to seabird nesting islands, bird-banding demonstrations, lively evening presentations, and field trips to saltwater marshes, coastal beaches, freshwater wetlands, blueberry barrens, islands, and Maine’s spruce-fir forests. , Լ����Ƶ’s VP for Bird Conservation and founder of Project Puffin, will narrate your trip to nearby Eastern Egg Rock, site of the first successfully restored colony of Atlantic Puffins, and Roseate, Arctic and Common Terns.  June birding programs typically tally more than 120 species of land and seabirds.  All programs include an opportunity to work with Լ����Ƶ staff on conservation projects that benefit seabirds in the Gulf of Maine.

”I really felt that I was in the presence of some of the best birding people in the country, if not the world. How wonderful!” – Peggy, retired teacher, Pennsylvania

In July, Լ����Ƶ educators and invited instructors will offer an action-packed  designed to inspire and enhance your teaching with practical hands-on activities.  The  for the chapter leaders in the Atlantic Flyway is August 26-31, with $225 matching grants for Լ����Ƶ chapters available from National Լ����Ƶ. New for 2012 are the return of  August 19-24 (adults and ages 8-12) and a  in September directed by birding author , which includes an overnight on gorgeous Monhegan Island.  If you really want to get your hands dirty working for seabirds, Լ����Ƶ has teamed up with Road Scholar to offer two exclusive  where you will have the unique opportunity to work on seabird nesting islands to conduct nest censuses (June 3-8) and restore habitat for puffins, storm-petrels and endangered terns (September 9-14).

”When I came to Hog island I didn't know what to expect. Five days later I had been rewarded with the most transformative professional development experiences I have had as a teacher.” – John, educator and scholarship recipient, Maine

To enroll, visit .  Nearly 100  each year by local Լ����Ƶ Chapters and birding clubs. For more information, contact Erica Marx, Program Coordinator, at hogisland@audubon.org or call (607) 257-7308 x 14.