ATLANTA, June 20, 2007 - Softscribe Inc., a technology
public
relations firm focused on driving sales for companies targeting vertical
markets, today announced its sponsorship of the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources� second annual Youth
Birding Competition. Twenty-four teams of 100 young people ages
six to 17 from all over Georgia participated in the 24-hour event on April
28 and 29, which coincided with the peak of spring bird migration.
The teams competed from 6:00 p.m. Saturday to 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening,
when the birders reported their results during a banquet and celebration
at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Mansfield, Georgia, 40 miles
east of Atlanta.
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�So many children spend the day with their heads
down, thumbing their ipods, text messaging or glued to some other type
of electronic media. Falling in love with nature will broaden their
worlds, enrich their lives and help balance the social media environment
of their youth,� said Julie Squires, vice president of Softscribe Inc.
and a birder and volunteer at the event. Softscribe Inc. donated
five copies of the popular reference book, The Sibley Guide to Birds by
David Allen Sibley (ISBN 0-679-45122-6) as prizes. Michael Squires,
president of Softscribe Inc., also volunteered.
The combination of outdoor physical activity and
cognitive exercise is essentially why birding has become one of the fastest
growing recreational activities in the nation, notes Tim Keyes, Georgia
DNR wildlife biologist in charge of the Youth Birding Competition,
who started the event two years ago. Keyes cited a survey by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that states 51.3 million Americans report
they now watch birds, with more taking it up all the time. �And that
represents people from all age groups,� he said. Keyes pointed out
that his motivation for launching the Georgia Youth Birding Competition
was frustration with being the youngest person at birding events. �Then,
about three years ago in Cape May, New Jersey, I was competing in the World
Series of birding. What impressed me the most was the number of kids
also competing; there were about 20 youth teams. That�s when it struck
me that I should start this in Georgia.� Keyes secured grant funding for
the event. Other supporters include The Environmental Resources Network,
Inc. (T.E.R.N.), DNR/WRD, Georgia Ornithological Society (GOS), Atlanta
Audubon Society, Eagle Optics and Droll Yankee bird feeders.
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| Julie Keyser-Squires and Michael Squires with Softscribe Inc., sponsors
of and volunteers at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources� second
annual Youth Birding Competition. |
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Catharine Kuchar, executive director of the Atlanta
Audubon Society and a volunteer at the birding event, agrees that birding
is growing in popularity across all areas and age spectrums, but notes
that the activity also contributes vital information to the world of science.
�Birds have always been indicators of what�s happening in the natural world,�
she said, �and by observing them and any changes in their habitat,
birders have created a type of �citizen science� where everyone can be
involved in helping to preserve wildlife and its surroundings.�
For more information on the Youth Birding Competition
and how to participate in the 2008 competition, contact Tim Keyes: (478)
994-1438 or [email protected] .
View photos: http://301url.com/YouthBirdingFlickrPhotos
Listen to a Podcast: http://301url.com/YouthBirding
 About
Softscribe® Inc.
Founded in 1999, Softscribe Inc. practices true
public relations, not just publicity, to help technology companies targeting
vertical markets drive sales and solidify their brands. The company does
this through integrating traditional one-to-one-marketing public relations
with the imaginative use of emerging
media with an emphasis on keyword optimized writing, media and influencer
relationships, and a focus on relevant messaging strategy. Softscribe�s
clients include Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., Gold Key Solutions, Government
Futures, JDA Software Group, Inc., Newmarket International, NORTHWIND,
The Rainmaker Group and many other leading technology and service companies.
For more information please visit http://www.softscribe®inc.com.
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