Backyard bird habitats focus of Nov. 19-20 virtual seminar
AgriLife Extension event will provide design strategies for attracting birds to home landscapes
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a two-day virtual seminar, “Create a Backyard Bird Paradise,” Nov. 19-20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., providing attendees an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of birding, research, conservation and bird identification from the comfort of their home.
A $25 registration fee is required by Nov. 18 at https://tx.ag/VirtualBirdingSeminar2025.
Virtual event links will be distributed via email 24 hours prior to the event’s commencement. For late registrations made after this 24-hour window, a final email containing the link will be sent 24 hours prior to the session start.
There will be a presentation from Mike Arnold, Ph.D., professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences and director of The Gardens at Texas A&M, about landscape design, and he will show how bird-friendly spaces can also be elegant, intentional and magazine-worthy.
Specifically, the webinar will include plantings and hardscape that support the critical habitat requirements of various bird species. The webinar will explore plant selections and site considerations to provide necessary water, food resources, shelter and nesting locations and materials throughout the year.
Suggestions for designing to enhance bird viewing will also be discussed.
About the seminar
The seminar is part of the fall session of Birding with Extension’s virtual seminar series.
Beth McMahon, AgriLife Extension horticulture agent for Gillespie County, will talk on the basics of plant care, establishing plant beds and general plant maintenance.
Liz Tidwell, AgriLife Extension small-acreage program specialist, Uvalde, will share how to set up a backyard feeding station to attract your favorite birds. She’ll cover how to choose the right feeders and foods, and why it’s important to adjust what you offer throughout the year to meet the seasonal needs of different species.
By participating, attendees not only expand their birding expertise but also contribute to scholarships for the Rio Diablo Birding Camp, an immersive seven-day birding experience for youth hosted by AgriLife Extension.
Proceeds from the seminars fund $500 scholarships that help young birders explore the natural world. Additionally, Master Naturalists can earn advanced training hours by attending these seminars.
Seminars will be recorded for later viewing by registered participants. To ensure access to the seminar recordings, register for the event by the specified registration deadline. Access to the seminar recordings will be available only to registered event participants.
For more information, contact Emily Grant at [email protected].
