IBP-facilitated Beginner and Advanced banding classes are held in cooperation with outside organizations. Classes fill quickly, so we recommend early registration when possible. We also offer customized classes to suit your needs. Classes vary in price because each host organization has various site and staffing costs they must cover with the registration fees as well as the instructor's time and travel costs.

Banding classes scheduled for the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in northeastern Minnesota. The adult beginner class dates are June 20-27, 2024 and the adult advanced class dates are June 29 - July 3, 2024. There will also be a youth ornithology camp for students (entering grades 10-12). The Ornithology Field Camp will be held July 7-12, 2024. To register please click the link here for Wolf Ridge's website at adult learners page or here for the Ornithology Field Camp page. Please contact the class host, Rachel Giemza for more information.

An advanced banding class is scheduled for September 13-17, 2024 at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in northeastern Minnesota. Registration is not yet available but you can contact the class host, Rachel Giemza or Wolf Ridge at 218-353-7414 for more information.

In addition to scheduled classes through partner organizations, IBP offers customized training for beginner and advanced banders. Course length, content, materials, and timing can be adjusted to best fit your needs and can be arranged at a location convenient to you, provided that adequate numbers of birds can be safely banded, and suitable facilities for class-time discussions are available. Groups that have taken advantage of this option include volunteers who band together at a station, wildlife agency personnel seeking to develop or improve their banding skills, and many others.

Site and Materials: A suitable banding site is critical. Suitable sites should have adequate places to set up mist nets (natural habitats with thick understory without much disturbance from passers-by or domestic animals), should have moderate temperatures (55-85 degrees F during the morning hours), and should have reasonable concentrations of birds (about 20-40 birds per day using ten mist nets from dawn until noon). Nets at feeding stations have also proven effective at supplying an easily monitored set of birds for training purposes. Typically, the hardware for setting up nets (poles and rebar, for example) are provided by the host due to the difficulty in transporting such equipment. IBP can supply nets.

The following rates are typical for a seven-day introductory course with six participants at which the net sites were prepared by the host, but the bands were provided by IBP. Note the class host will need to charge additional fees to cover their costs which could include administrative costs, food, site rental, accommodation, etc.

The following rates are typical for a four-day intermediate/advanced course with six participants at which the host prepares the net sites, and provides the bands.

Class size is generally limited to six participants, though may be slightly larger if large volumes of birds are expected. If needed, two instructors may be available if there are more than six students, though fees would increase accordingly.

Courses tend to be held at low-cost but beautiful facilities, such as biological stations and youth camps. Participants in customized classes often live at home while attending the class. Costs for room and board, when provided, are additional, and vary depending on location. Accommodations for participants traveling to the class are likely to be somewhat rustic and courses are usually conducted under typical field conditions.

Our instructors are highly skilled banders with extensive training experience. Several of our trainers are certified NABC trainers and all teach and emphasize NABC ideals and curriculum. Most have years of experience collecting and analyzing MAPS data. The pool of instructors currently includes:

Danielle Kaschube - NABC certified trainer
Lauren Helton
Emma Cox

To inquire about possible dates for a customized class or to discuss training possibilities in more detail, please contact Danielle Kaschube.