CBC Saskatchewan’s Creator Network offers a platform for young digital storytellers from diverse backgrounds to create original video content for CBC, sharing stories through their unique perspectives. The Mary Houston Bluebird Trail, established in 1969, stretches about 80 kilometers from south of Langham, Sask. to north of Hanley, Sask. Along the trail, every 400 meters, nest boxes provide crucial habitat for migrating birds, monitored by volunteers like Greg Fenty, a biologist and retired environmental educator leading the initiative for the Saskatoon Young Naturalists.
The Bluebird Trail consists of nest boxes on a country road, monitored to track the productivity and survivorship of bluebirds and tree swallows, aiding researchers in understanding population changes. Bluebird populations faced a decline until the 1950s due to habitat loss and pesticide use but saw conservation efforts rise thereafter. Volunteers learn to hold, band, and identify birds, contributing to scientific research under Fenty’s guidance.
Pi Srithammawut and his family, newcomers to Canada, joined the project to explore their new environment. Participants of all ages, including children like Pacer Srithammawut, gain hands-on experience observing bird life cycles. These experiences cultivate a deeper connection to nature and wildlife, sparking curiosity and interest in conservation.
Volunteers like Betty McBride enjoy quality time outdoors with their grandchildren, fostering a love for nature and birdwatching. The project’s impact extends beyond the present, influencing future careers, as seen in the story of Maycie McWillie, whose childhood experiences led her to pursue a career in biology.
The Bluebird Trail not only serves as a research project but also as a learning platform for youth to engage in conservation practices. Through workshops and fieldwork, volunteers actively contribute to bird conservation efforts, promoting biodiversity awareness while enjoying the outdoors. The project’s success is evident in the returning bluebirds, marked with bands by Fenty, reaffirming the significance of citizen science in preserving bird populations.