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EnglishHow to Get Involved with the Delaware Ornithological Society
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The Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS) welcomes anyone interested in Delaware's bird life, from beginners to experts, and there are several ways to participate: subscribe to the free email newsletter, become a member, join field trips and monthly meetings, volunteer, or donate. The right path depends on how much time and money you want to commit — the newsletter is free and open to anyone, while membership adds publications and the Birdline rare bird alert.
Start with the free newsletter
Anyone can subscribe to the DOS email newsletter, even without becoming a member. According to the site, members receive it automatically, but non-members can sign up to learn more about DOS activities. This is the lowest-commitment way to hear about upcoming events and field trips before deciding on membership.
Become a member
Membership is the main step up from the newsletter. DOS lists these member benefits:
- Monthly newsletter
- Annual journal
- Birdline rare bird alert
The site states you can join online or by standard mail, and directs you to a page showing the different member categories. It does not publish specific prices or tier details on the homepage, so check the membership page for current categories and costs before choosing.
Join activities open to participants
DOS runs programs throughout the year, and the site describes them under "What we do":
| Program | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Field Trips | Trips throughout the year to Delaware's birding hotspots |
| Monthly Meetings | Presentations on wide-ranging topics from professional presenters |
| Conservation | Work to conserve critical bird habitats with partner organizations and the state |
| Youth Birding | Activities and field trips for school-age birders and their families |
| Citizen Science | Projects such as Hawk Watches and Christmas Bird Counts |
| Bird-a-thon | The signature fundraising event, which has raised money to purchase over 2,800 acres of critical bird habitat |
Upcoming events listed on the homepage include meetings at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and field trips such as a White Clay Creek State Park bird survey and a University of Delaware Farm & Ecology Woods trip with Blue Hen Birding. Dates and times are posted on the events calendar, so confirm current listings there rather than relying on any single snapshot.
Volunteer or donate
DOS states there are many volunteer opportunities across birding, conservation, science, and education. If you prefer to support financially, the site includes a Donate link through a Square checkout page. The president's message notes that whether your interest is birding, conservation, science, or education, "there is something for everyone."
Quick decision guide
- Want information only? Subscribe to the free newsletter.
- Want publications and rare bird alerts? Become a member and review the member categories.
- Want to participate in person? Check the events calendar for meetings and field trips.
- Want to contribute time? Ask about volunteer roles in birding, conservation, science, or education.
- Want to give money? Use the Donate link or join as a member.
For current schedules, membership categories, and prices, go directly to dosbirds.org, since these details change and the homepage only summarizes them.