Cope Environmental Center

06/01/2026

Cope Environmental Center’s 2026 Birdathon was our BIGGEST and most successful Birdathon ever! Congratulations to our Honorable Mentions:

All individuals who saw 100 or more bird species
Mark Stackhouse
Becky Marvil
William Telfair
Richard Wiesler
Mark Campbell
Jeremy Proeschel
Nathan Sheets
Mark Welter
Kurt Emmert
Nathen Peck
Patricia Rettig
Cooper Cox
Stephen Weddle
Chris Babcock
Martha Hill
Trish Cope
Toni Evans
Jaime C**n
Wendy Tori
Sam Krerowicz
Pamela Herrmann
Joshua Angell
Penny Ausmus
Marianne Cope
Karen Niersbach
Jenilee Braun
Thursa Short
Kristi Mathews
Ted Gilman
Susie Ferrell
Teresa Campbell
Linda Duke

All individuals who raised $1,000 or more
As an added celebration this year, every Birdathon participant who raises $1,000 or more will receive one free week of Cope’s Nature Summer Camp to gift!

Jack Ferrell
Cheri Jetmore
Susie Ferrell
Pamela Merchanthouse
Marianne Cope
Linda Duke
Martha Hill
Jeremy Proeschel
Shelley Mauger
Marie Cope Nicholson
Judy Buchholz
Mark Stackhouse
Skylar Cope
Teresa Kinder
Whitney Mosey-Russell
Marcy Crull
Paula Hollenberg
Terri Logan
Susan Miller

All teams that raised $2,000 or more

Birdaholics $17,454
What the Flock $7,695
Birducopea $7,523
Birds of a Feather $7,395
Birders Beyond Borders $5,138
The Merlins $2,957
Bird Nerds $2,468

All teams that saw 300 or more bird species

Flocking Together 307
Birducopea 341
Frequent Flyers 401
Birds of a Feather 422
Tennessee Warblers 436
What the Flock! 461
Bird Nerds 496
Birdaholics 517
Clan Campbell Wing Warriors 685
The Merlins 701
Earlham’s Finest 771
Birders Beyond Borders 1068

All photographers who photographed 50 or more bird species
Scott Rauland 130
Michael J. Good 104
Jay Smith 57
Mark Stackhouse 60

06/01/2026

WOW! Cope Environmental Center’s 2026 Birdathon was our BIGGEST and most successful Birdathon ever!

Together, 97 participants on 20 teams:
✅ Raised an incredible $68,680 (surpassing our original $50,000 goal!)
✅ Observed 739 bird species worldwide
✅ Spotted 34 more species than last year
✅ Birded across 15 U.S. states and internationally in Croatia, Romania, and New Zealand

We are still hoping to reach our stretch goal of $70,000, and it’s not too late to donate! https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/bv0tsru1is/contribute/select
Some amazing highlights:
🐦 236 species seen in Indiana
🐦 177 species seen in Wayne County
🐦 134 species documented at Cope
🐦 81 species seen on the property in one morning!

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners:
🏆 Birdaholics — Top Fundraising Team ($17,454)
🏆 Jack Ferrell — Top Individual Fundraiser ($5,614)
🏆 Mark Stackhouse — Most Species Seen Worldwide Individual (304 species!)
🏆 Mark Campbell — Most Species Seen Midwest Individual (207 species!)
🏆 Birders Beyond Borders — Most Birds Seen Worldwide (1,068)
🏆 The Merlins — Most Birds Seen Midwest (701)

*Reminder: team species totals are based on the combined species number of each team member rather than the actual total species count for an entire team.

Thank you to every participant and donor for supporting Cope Environmental Center and helping spread awareness and appreciation for wildlife and habitats around the world. Your support helps inspire a healthier and more sustainable Earth for all.

05/31/2026

🐸🐢 Hop, splash, and explore with us during Frog & Turtle Family Day June 13th at 9:30 AM!

Get ready for a hands-on family adventure as we search wetlands for frogs, turtles, tadpoles, and other amazing wildlife.

Did you know tadpoles start life with gills like fish before growing lungs as frogs? Nature is full of incredible transformations!

🎟️ Get your tickets today at: https://visitcope.org/events/frog-and-turtle-family-day

05/30/2026

🎶Join us for Nesting Birds of Cope and discover the hidden world of nesting birds throughout Cope’s forests, wetlands, and fields. We’ll search for birds carrying nesting material, listen for hungry chicks calling from nearby nests, and learn how different species raise their young.

Come enjoy a peaceful evening outdoors while learning more about the incredible birds that call Cope home each summer!

Thank you to Edward Jones: Dan Davis Jr for sponsoring this program!!

05/29/2026

We are excited to announce our first-ever Birdathon Photo Contest winner: Mark Stackhouse, with his stunning photo of a male Orange-breasted Bunting.

“This photo was taken at the tiny seaside village of Tehuamixtle, Jalisco, Mexico. This species is endemic to Mexico, inhabiting dry forests along the central Pacific coast, and is considered by many to be one of Mexico’s most beautiful birds.
My wife and I found this individual, along with two other males, near midday under a sweltering sun in a tiny patch of shade filtered through dry, leafless branches. The birds were gathered near a small leak in a water pipe entering the village, which created a seep of moisture on the hillside.”

05/29/2026

☀️🌿 June is packed with outdoor adventure at Cope Environmental Center!

Whether you’re looking to connect with nature, spend time outdoors with family, learn something new, or simply enjoy the beauty of summer, we invite you to come explore with us! 🐦🐸🐢🌼

🌿 For more information or to register, visit: VisitCope.org

05/28/2026

A huge thank you to Reid Health for awarding a generous grant to support healthy and nutritional snacks for Cope’s youth camp programs and scholarship opportunities! 🌿🍎

This funding will help provide nourishing snacks for children participating in Little Adventures Summer Camp, Explore the Outdoors Summer Nature Camp, Fall Camp, and Spring Camp while also helping make these outdoor learning experiences accessible to more families through camp scholarships.

From hiking the trails and exploring wetlands to discovering wildlife and connecting with nature, our campers stay active, engaged, and learning all day long and healthy snacks help fuel those adventures!

We are so grateful for Reid Health’s support and commitment to the well-being of children in our community. Thank you for helping us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards! 💚

Learn more about Cope’s camps and programs at VisitCope.org.

05/28/2026

🔥 Not all summer camps are created equal.

At Cope Environmental Center, your child won’t just stay busy...they’ll thrive. They’ll get dirty, try new things, make friends, and build a real connection with the outdoors.

🌱 Little Adventures (Ages 3–5) – designed for your youngest explorers to feel safe, excited, and inspired.
🌳 Explore the Outdoors (Ages 6–11) – packed with hands-on activities, outdoor skills, and unforgettable adventures.

These spots go quickly every year and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Don’t wait-sign up today at

Explore the Outdoors Summer CampDates: June 8th-June 26th & July 6th-24thTimes: 9:00 am - 4:30 pmEarly Registration Opens: February 6, 2026Registration Opens: February 17, 2026Age: 6-11 prior to the first day of campWeekly Camp Fee: Members- $100 Non-Members- $115Join us at CEC for an amazing summer...

05/26/2026

Our Summer Camp staff are hard at work getting everything ready for an unforgettable summer at Cope! 🌿☀️

We can’t wait to welcome campers to the trails, wetlands, and woods for another amazing season of exploration and adventure!

There’s still time to register for select weeks, but spots are filling quickly! Visit VisitCope.org to learn more and sign up today.

05/26/2026

🐦A huge THANK YOU to our Event Sponsor, 3Rivers Credit Union, and our Supporting Sponsors, Radford's Meat Market, First Bank Richmond and Better Homes and Garden Real Estate, for helping us bird for a cause and support environmental education and conservation at Cope Environmental Center.

We’re so grateful for community partners who help make events like this possible! Be sure to show these local businesses some love for supporting nature, education, and our community. 🌿✨