The Charitable Objectives of the new Planet Birdsong Foundation (PBF) are:
(1) To promote study and research into birdsong and other sounds found in the world biome.
(2) to advance the education of the public and a connection with nature by engaging with birdsong and other natural sounds, through music, technology and creative activities;
(3) to promote the application of birdsong and other sounds in nature as a marker and measure of biodiversity, for base line data and monitoring purposes, when pursuing sustainable development and in the conservation, protection and enhancement of the natural environment, especially in the context of ecosystem based adaptation to climate change. [sustainable meaning “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs]. There is a strong emphasis on citizen science and reaching local rural communities in achieving this objective.
(1) To promote study and research into birdsong and other sounds found in the world biome.
(2) to advance the education of the public and a connection with nature by engaging with birdsong and other natural sounds, through music, technology and creative activities;
(3) to promote the application of birdsong and other sounds in nature as a marker and measure of biodiversity, for base line data and monitoring purposes, when pursuing sustainable development and in the conservation, protection and enhancement of the natural environment, especially in the context of ecosystem based adaptation to climate change. [sustainable meaning “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs]. There is a strong emphasis on citizen science and reaching local rural communities in achieving this objective.
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Planet Birdsong offers training in audio-data collection, verification, preparation and storage to both higher level scientists and citizen scientists. The programme engages with talented persons from rural communities, who can build their ornithological skills, pass on those skills and inspire others in nature and improve competences and employment opportunities in a more sustainable rural economy and as tourist guides. We are committed to work to qualitative standards and specifications defined by Universities engaged in collecting Global Commons data for research, whether at University or citizen science level. We offer access to recording equipment, developed to be accessible to as many participants as possible and compatible with existing recording capacity on local smartphones, with additional professional equipment to key players. We are collaborating with Time and Space Learning to produce an affordable parabolic reflector that can be attached to any smart phone to enable high-quality recording.
Local birders and ornithologists will then take forward the recording of bird sounds, aiming to complete country lists over a period of several years. PBF can provide specialist recording equipment for local project co-ordinators and higher-level scientists engaged in biology, ornithology and acoustics. Using Cornell University eBird reporting app and Merlin data portal, local birders will work towards building country-specific data sets and contribute to in-country biological records sets. Local birders are inspired to take their skills to a higher level, in a variety of scientific fields. |
Planet Birdsong is creating exciting educational games suitable for people of all ages and nationalities, to enhance engagement with bird vocalisations. The games are populated by bird sound recordings selected to capture local variation and accuracy. The initial objective is to collect around 50 relatively common species for the introductory game editions, with additional species' sounds added in more advanced game editions.
The games app is designed to be fun and educational. Game app editions can be designed for:
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We create lesson plans for primary, secondary and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges TVET, in collaboration with James de Winter of Cambridge University Education Department.
Appropriate game editions can be disbursed to schools engaged in environmental education (Pre-loaded tablets could be supplied)). We will set local target numbers of children to be given access to the games over an annual programme and to supply free access to downloads and support for senior students, adult and academic users. ITC specialists may benefit from a role in developing the games, using them as a model to expand their ITC design and maintenance skills. The games can be a resource for the mobile environmental materials laboratories. Click here to learn more about the games and download some examples (currently android only). |
