In the US and many other countries, bird banding is performed by highly trained permitted researchers who have shown great skill and abide by a strict code of ethics. Bird banding is done to gather information about migration patterns, survival, site fidelity, and longevity, among others, and this information can only be collected if birds are safely marked and released. Additionally, banding stations also educate the community on the importance of such research, as well as demonstrate how simple actions can make an impact on avian conservation as a whole. April 12th 1st demonstration 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM 2nd demonstration 9:30 AM -11:30 AM Location Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary – Pavilion | 1401 S Church St Rockport, TX Extra parking is available on E 1st St, side of Sanctuary Coffee, water, and doughnuts will be provided Covered seating will be available Insect repellent is recommended *Registration required Bird Banding Demonstrations given by Rebekah Rylander & Rebecca Bracken Rebekah Rylander is the Science Coordinator for the Rio Grande Joint Venture under American Bird Conservancy, and she sits on the Aransas Pathways Steering Committee as the bird and birding advocate. She earned her Masters and PhD at Texas State University, and she has worked internationally and locally to assist with avian research and habitat conservation. Dr. Rebecca Bracken is the Conservation Research Director at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. She holds an M.S. from Texas State University and a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University. Over the course of her career, she has worked with many bird species across the U.S. and internationally, including hummingbirds, songbirds, shorebirds, long-legged wading birds, and nightjars.