Shorebird Stewardship Training & Education

Beach stewards on the bach next to Ask Me About the Birds sign. USFWS photo

Beach stewards play a critical role in helping to protect shorebirds. USFWS

Welcome to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Stewardship Training Curriculum. This five module training has been developed by biologists, communicators, and law enforcement officers to provide stewards and volunteers with the basic knowledge they need to represent your Refuge and protect shorebirds and other wildlife at your site. Should you have any questions please reach out to Heidi Hanlon or Debra Reynolds.

Module 1: Purpose of the Steward Program

This web page and fact sheet outlines the purpose of the steward program, why stewards are critical to protecting shorebirds, and types of activities a steward might participate in.

The Importance of Beach Stewards

Video describing the important role stewards play

Purpose of Steward Program fact sheet

Person walking into a flock of birds to take a picture

Example of shorebird disturbance. Jean Hall

Module 2: Introduction to Shorebirds, Coastal Natural History Processes, and Threats

This module is important for Stewards to learn the basic needs of shorebirds and the impact disturbance has on them. This will give Stewards the background on what to say to the public about disturbance.

Stewards who will be conducting bird surveys and those interested in learning about the birds they will see on the beach will find bird identification, section 2, helpful. Stewards working on a National Wildlife Refuge will find section 5 useful to understand how refuges differ from other public lands.

  1. Basic needs of shorebirds
  2. Bird identification
  3. Life history of shorebirds
  4. Why shorebirds need stewards and types of disturbance
  5. What is a National Wildlife Refuge?

Module 2 Quiz and Answers

Outreach event at the beach

Stewards working an event. Audubon

Module 3: How to Deliver a Program

This module is important for Stewards to learn how to provide information to the public through a variety of interpretation methods.  This module also provides datasheets and an example of a station set-up.

This Module will teach Stewards about:

  1. Interpretation techniques and leading walks; engaging your audience; and interpretive planning worksheet
  2. Providing information
  3. Station set-up
  4. Steward data sheet

Module 3 Quiz and Answers

beach steward talking to beach goer with dog

Stewards play a critical role in letting beach goers know how to share the shore. VATech

Module 4: Public Interaction

This module is important for Stewards to learn how to talk with a variety of people and deal with various situations they may find themselves in.  Any type of engagement may change during the interaction at any point in time, so it is important to learn how to keep interactions as positive as possible and disengage if the interaction becomes hostile. 

This Module will teach Stewards about: 

  1. Engaging with casual visitors
  2. Interactions
  3. Disengagement from hostile interactions
    1. Check out the de-escalation training webinar
  4. Reporting an incident 

Module 4 Quiz and Answers

American Oystercatcher and chick. ©Ray Hennessey

Stewards help keep birds like the American Oystercatcher safe from disturbance. ©Ray Hennessey, rayhennessy.com

Module 5: Safety First

This module is important for Stewards to learn about safety on the beach to protect themselves and how to deal with emergencies. 

This Module will teach Stewards: 

  1. Identify points of contacts and emergency numbers
  2. Safety awareness: Signs of heat/cold related illnesses; Preventative measures and selfcare; Medical Emergencies
  3. Partner up and communicate  

Module 5 Quiz and Answers

Resources