Sponsor the Nevada Bird-a-thon

What is the Nevada Bird-a-thon?

Each spring, Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO), with the support of our partners and friends, hosts the annual Nevada Bird-a-thon; a state-wide fundraiser and competition supporting bird conservation. The concept is like a typical walk-a-thon fundraiser, where teams and individuals collect pledges for their birding efforts. But they are also competing against each other to see the most bird species and raise the most funds! Participants will choose a 24-hour period between May 1st — 31st to record as many bird species as possible, or bird from home and create a yard bird list for the duration of the event. Prizes for most species counted and most funds raised will be awarded.

Funds raised through the bird-a-thon go towards community science projects, outreach efforts, and other important conservation efforts without dedicated funding sources. Our specific goal for 2025 is to raise $10,000 to support of GBBO’s desert thrasher research and monitoring program. As a 501c3 organization all donations and sponsorships are fully tax deductible.

2021 winners at the Bird-a-thon awards celebration at Davis Creek Regional Park

2025 donations will help to:

Engage residents and visitors of Nevada in desert thrasher community science
Support additional surveys for desert thrashers
Support involvement in conservation initiatives such as the Desert Thrasher Working Group

These initiatives are critical because:

LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers are both experiencing steep rates of population decline. Since 1970, Bendire’s Thrasher has lost 86% of its population, and LeConte’s Thrasher has lost 67% of its population, making these desert thrashers among the fastest declining bird species in North America
There are still major knowledge gaps impeding meaningful conservation efforts
With mounting population concerns, and threats such as renewable energy development, climate change, wildfire, livestock grazing, and other disturbances related to development; filling knowledge gaps is critical to their continued existence

Bird-a-thon funds have…

Helped develop the Pinyon Jay Community Science Hub and volunteer program— This volunteer data from across the Western U.S. are being analyzed later this year to create the first ever rangewide occupancy model of the Pinyon Jay that accounts for their habitat-specific behaviors. This is a huge step for this species that is currently being evaluated for Endangered Species Act protections.
These funds supported GBBO’s role in important collaborative conservation projects with Partners in Flight and others. A major result of these efforts was the development of the Conservation Strategy for Bendire’s and LeConte’s Thrashers. This document is the result of 13 experts from 9 governmental agencies and non-profit organizations combining their knowledge into a concerted plan.
With the help of other partners GBBO also worked to create a survey protocol (Clearance Survey Protocol) for thrashers at areas slated for development and have worked to come up with mitigation guidelines for desert thrashers within these construction footprints (Desert Thrasher Solar Recommendations)
Additionally, GBBO staff worked with partners with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to draft exclusion zones for Desert Thrashers to be included in the Bureau of Land Management Utility-Scale Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.

These are all hugely important conservation actions and products with no direct funding source other than your donations and sponsorships. Stand with GBBO in support of science and conservation.

Become a Sponsor:

Sponsoring the Nevada Bird-a-thon is a great way show support for environmental protection in Nevada while connecting with communities across the state. With sponsorship levels starting at $500 there are opportunities for businesses of all sizes to get involved. Sponsors can enjoy enhanced exposure through multiple GBBO’s communication channels and increased exposure to a diverse client base makes sponsorship beneficial for new and established businesses in the region.