Atlas-3 2023 Kick-off - April 22nd & 23rd!
Interested in Birds?
Help us kick off the start of year three of Atlas-3 this April, at our first in-person kick-off event weekend! The event will focus on an introduction to Atlas-3 and how to best get involved. It is also a great way to meet fellow Atlassers, get hands-on training from experts, and ask questions in person to better prepare yourself for the upcoming season. Experience is not required, enthusiasm is!
Atlas HQ Events
Atlas HQ will be hosting two in-person kick-off events: Saturday, April 22nd at the Watershed Conservation Centre in London and on Sunday, April 23rd at the Ancaster Rotary Centre in Hamilton (location details below). Registration is required for both the London and Hamilton events and spots are limited! Click here to register. If you’re not in the Hamilton or London areas, check below for other regional events hosted by Atlas Regional Coordinators!
Location Details & Registration
Watershed Conservation Centre (Fanshawe Lake CA)
Saturday, April 22, 2023 (9:30AM – 12:30PM)
Directions: 1424 Clarke Rd, London, Ontario N5V 5B9
Ancaster Rotary Centre
Sunday, April 23, 2023 (9:30AM – 12:30PM)
Directions: 385 Jerseyville Rd W, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3L5
Atlas HQ Event Details
9:30 – Welcome
9:45 – [inside] Recap of Atlas-3 project overview, coverage goals
10:15 – [outside] Split up into small group sessions: Using the app, special surveys, point counts, Zoom units, breeding evidence codes, atlassing basics
12:00 – [inside] Recap, questions, door prizes
12:30 – Departure
Don’t forget to dress for the weather, bring your Atlassing gear (binoculars, notebooks, smartphone, other technology, etc.) and questions. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.
Virtual Presentations
New to the Atlas or looking for some refreshers? We’ll be offering a series of short (<10 minute) recorded presentations the week leading up to kick-off weekend. Check back here or watch for mail from the Atlas office for the links. We’re also dedicating a Sappy Hour to the NatureCounts App on April 18 (register here).
Kick-off Weekend Challenge - win a pair of Vortex binoculars!
To help celebrate the kick-off of year three we’re challenging all Atlassers to share the excitement on social media for your chance to win a pair of Vortex binoculars! To enter, just post on social media either a photo, video, or audio clip of something related to Atlas-3 – could be you or your friends Atlassing, breeding evidence, or an interesting birding encounter! To qualify, add your posts during the month of April and tag @ONBirdAtlas on Instagram or Twitter, or @ONBreedingBirdAtlas on Facebook and be sure to use the hashtag #OnBirdAtlas2023. If you don’t have social media, don’t worry! You can submit a photo and description to our media submission page to enter. We will randomly select a submission at the end of April, so the more posts you submit, the more chances you have to win!
Regional Events
Can’t make it to London or Hamilton? No problem! Many regions will be hosting their own local events on the kick-off weekend!
| Region | Details |
|---|---|
|
2 - Chatham-Kent |
Description: In-person kick-off event on Sunday, April 23 in the Rondeau area. Location: Rondeau Provincial Park, meet at the parking lot of the East South Point Trail at the end of Lakeshore Road. Date/time: April 23, meet at 8:30 am. How to register: Contact Jeremy Hatt at chatham.kent@birdsontario.org |
|
13 - Simcoe |
Description: In-person kick-off event on Sunday, April 23 at Tiny Marsh. Location: Tiny Marsh Date/time: April 23 from 9 am to 12 noon How to register: email simcoe@birdsontario.org |
|
16 - Peterborough |
Description: In-person kick-off event on Sunday, April 16 at Camp Kawartha (near Trent). Location: Camp Kawartha Environment Centre Date/time: April 16 10 am to noon. How to register: Contact Martin Parker at mparker19@cogeco.ca |
|
17 - Northumberland |
Description: In-person event on Sunday, April 23 at Murray Marsh to meet fellow atlassers, and share information and advice Location: Murray Marsh Natural Habitat Area, parking at 944 Goodfellow Rd, Codrington, ON Date/time: April 23, meet at 8:30 am. How to register: Contact Andrea Kingsley at andreakingsley@gmail.com |
|
22 - Leeds and Grenville |
Description: In-person kick-off event on Saturday, April 22 at Limerick Forest with coffee, snacks, and updates on Region 22 Atlas progress will be available. Location: Limerick Forest Interpretive Centre: 1175 Limerick Road, North Grenville Date/time: April 22 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm How to register: contact Stew Hamill (613-269-3415, leeds.grenville@birdsontario.org) |
|
24 - Ottawa |
Description: Introduction to the Atlas and the Ottawa Region Location: Live virtual event via Zoom Date/time: April 20 from 7:30 pm. How to register: Contact Aaron Hywarren at Ottawa@birdsontario.org |
|
24 - Ottawa |
Description: Informal meet and greet with discussion of Atlas activities in the Ottawa Region Location: Shirleys Bay boat launch Date/time: April 23 08:30 am to 10:00 am. How to register: No registration required. For information contact Aaron Hywarren at Ottawa@birdsontario.org |
|
25 - Silver Lake |
Description: Meet and greet, review of results to-date, set goals for upcoming season, tutorials on app and points counts, followed by a hike. Location: Perth Wildlife Reserve Date/time: April 22 from 1-3 pm. How to register: Contact Rémy Poulin at silverlake@birdsontario.org |
|
26 - Renfrew |
Description: In person event on the evening of April 17 in Bancroft Location: 27602 Hwy 62 Date/time: April 17 at 7:00 pm How to register: Contact Christian Renault at renfrew@birdsontario.org |
|
26 - Renfrew |
Description: In person event on the morning of April 22 in Pembroke Location: Pembroke Marina Date/time: April 22 at 10:00 am How to register: Contact Christian Renault at renfrew@birdsontario.org |
|
29 - North Bay |
Description: In-person kick-off event on Saturday, April 22 at Laurier Woods. Location: Laurier Woods CA, Brule St parking lot Date/time: April 22 at 10:00 am - 12pm How to register: email Grant McKercher at northbay@birdsontario.org or gmckercher@mac.com |
|
31/32 - Sudbury East/West |
Description: In person event on the morning of May 13, weather-dependent Location: Sudbury, exact location TBD Date/time: May 13 (weather dependent) How to register: Contact Darryl Edwards at sudbury@birdsontario.org |
|
33 - Manitoulin |
Description: In person event on the morning of May 13 Location: Kagawong – picnic shelter on Old Mill Road across from the beach Date/time: Saturday, May 13, 2023 (10:00 am to 12:00 pm) How to register: Contact Anna Sheppard at manitoulin@birdsontario.org |
|
39 - Kenora |
Description: Virtual kick-off AMA ("Ask me anything") event on May 14 Location: Virtual Date/time: May 14 at 1:30 pm How to register: Contact Danielle Gough and Devin Turner at kenora@birdsontario.org for the meeting link |
|
41 - Timiskaming |
Description: In-person event on Saturday, April 22 at Porcupine Lake with overview followed by walk along Prospector Trail. Location: Porcupine Lake - White Waterfront Conservation Area. WWCA is located at the corner of Bloor avenue and Lakeview drive in South Porcupine. Free parking. (https://goo.gl/maps/Jj1n76gzxgVMKMd56) Date/time: April 22, 9:30 am How to register: Contact Roxane Filion at timiskaming@birdsontario.org or roxanefilion7@hotmail.com |
|
47 - Wellington |
Description: In person event on April 22 in Guelph Location: Riverside Park, Guelph Date/time: April 22 at 9:00 am How to register: Contact Marlene Paibomesai at wellington@birdsontario.org |