WASHINGTON – Starting next week, and through the holiday season, citizen scientists will once again fan out across America and America's national parks to count birds. One of the longest running citizen science events in the world, the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count (CBC) began in 1900. It provides reliable data that help demonstrate the importance of national parks to birds. National parks in almost every state will host bird counts again this year. The parks, with more than 40 listed by Audubon as Important Bird Areas, provide essential habitat for one or more species of breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds. Christmas Bird Counts also help inform the national State of the Birds Report that can be found at www.stateofthebirds.org. “Because the ‘state of the birds’ mirrors the state of their habitats, our national parks and seashores, and other public lands are critical safe havens for many species—especially in the face of climate change—one of the biggest challenges to habitat conservation for all species in the 21st century,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “The citizen science Christmas Bird Count is one of the ways we stay informed and involved with important partners like Audubon.” “People who count birds are helping save birds,” said Audubon Chief Scientist Gary Langham. “And America’s national parks are magnificent places to participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. We’re grateful to all the volunteers who make the count possible every year.” The National Park Service makes a meaningful difference—and not just for birds. While the primary point of the bird count is to gather data about trends and the general health of bird population, which informs management decisions and scientific studies, another benefit of this enormous citizen science program is the important way it gains advocates and new enthusiasts for birds. “The National Park Service provides quality opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to engage in this activity with a meaningful outcome,” said National Park Service Chief Wildlife Biologist Glenn Plumb. Each year, the CBC mobilizes more than 70,000 volunteers in more than 2,400 locations. The 2014-15 count dates fall between December 14th and January 5th. When compiled, the results will be posted at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.