Flying WILD city and community partnering organizations serve as the backbone of the Flying WILD network. Typically based in urban areas, these groups provide professional development, the Flying WILD guide, and outreach services to educators in a single metropolitan area. Organizations such as Audubon chapters, zoos, museums and environmental education centers establish an agreement with the Council for Environmental Education (CEE)-the national office for Flying WILD-enabling the organization to distribute the program guide along with the training.

One important function of the Flying WILD training is preparing educators to implement Flying WILD Bird Festivals. Whether conducted as a community-wide event or a classroom festival, the festival provides an opportunity for Flying WILD partner groups to strengthen ties with local schools. In partnership with their local Flying WILD provider, schools will arrange for the services of bird experts, nonformal educators, and environmental conservation professionals: contacts that can provide classroom presentations, live bird exhibits, field trips, student bird counts, mentorship for student service-learning projects, and presentations at school bird festivals.

The three-hour Flying WILD Educator Training is compatible with many workshops city/community partnering organizations already provide. Partnering groups may combine the Flying WILD training with their own programs, tailoring the training to involve local bird species and local community resources.

CEE seeks to establish Flying WILD partnerships with organizations already involved in some aspect of bird education and school/community outreach. The partnering organization agrees to provide the Flying WILD Educator Training to a predetermined target number of educators per year. The partner also trains facilitators who, in turn, conduct the educator training. CEE requires no fees as part of the partnership agreement. CEE arranges for new partners to receive an initial training and orientation.

If you are interested in your organization or an organization you know of joining the network of Flying WILD community partners, please contact the Coucil for Environmental Education.