Presentation List
Jackie Augustine
Audubon of Kansas Executive Director
Jackie Augustine joined Audubon of Kansas (AOK) in January 2021 as Executive Director. She received her doctorate degree in biology at Kansas State University studying the mating behavior of Greater Prairie-Chickens. As Executive Director, Jackie works to support AOK's three-fold mission of advocacy, conservation, and education. She is also a birdwatcher devoted to providing native plants around her home.
Audubon of Kansas (AOK) is a nonprofit environmental organization with more than 4,000 members concentrated in Kansas, Nebraska, and the central Great Plains.
Contact Info - Jackie Augustine - jackie@audubonofkansas.org - 785-537-4385 (cell)
This is a list of talks that can be given in either an online or in-person format.
Audubon of Kansas: Protecting wildlife and wildlands in Kansas for over 25 years (overview of organization and conservation in the Great Plains)
Audubon of Kansas has been the unwavering voice for wildlife in Kansas and the Great Plains since 1999. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, will discuss conservation initiatives, the sanctuary program, and how you can become involved in this growing organization.
Home on the Range: Breeding biology of prairie-chickens (natural history)
Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, will discuss the biology of Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens, a species that she has been studying for over 20 years. These charismatic birds perform impressive displays to gain mating opportunities. Come hear about the rolling prairie, the antics of prairie-chickens, and the challenges of studying this declining species.
Black-footed Ferrets: An Endangered Species back from the brink (natural history, advocacy)
Black-footed ferrets were thought to be extinct until a small population was discovered in Wyoming. From this population, 18 ferrets were brought into a captive breeding program to re-establish wild populations. Now, there are nearly 400 individuals in the wild with one population in Kansas. Their continued existence is threatened by Kansas’ war on prairie dogs, the primary prey of black-footed ferrets. Jackie Augustine, the Executive Director for Audubon of Kansas, will discuss the unique biology of black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs as well as how Audubon of Kansas fought and continues to fight for the success of both species.
Birding by Ear: There’s more to bird watching than meets the eye
(mostly for beginning birders)
Just like you can tell who is talking by the sound of their voice, you can learn how to identify bird species by their song. You probably know a few birds already – think about what a Canada goose or American crow sounds like. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, is a bird watcher and ornithologist. In this presentation, she will discuss the purpose of bird songs and how to identify common birds.
Marvelous Migration – and Kansas is at the heart of it all. (natural history)
Over 350 species of birds migrate from North America to Central and South America and back every year. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, will describe the challenges of this arduous journey and how you can help migrating birds in Kansas.
Three Billion Birds Lost, and what to do about it. (natural history)
A recent study revealed that we have lost one in four individual birds since 1970, amounting to nearly 3 billion birds. However, not all species declined and some habitats experience more declines than others. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, will explain how this was estimated, describe trends in the data with respect to species and habitats, and share ways you can prevent further losses in your own neighborhood.
Plants for Birds (natural history, gardening)
Birds are declining in part due to habitat loss. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, will describe how you can make your backyard a wildlife haven by planting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
Water Wars for Wild Wetlands (natural history, environmental advocacy)
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge are two marshes in west-central Kansas that are designated as wetlands of international importance. They abound with migrating ducks, shorebirds, and cranes during migration and host several endangered and threatened species including Whooping Cranes, Snowy Plovers, and Interior Least Terns. Audubon of Kansas Executive Director Jackie Augustine will discuss the ecology of these wetlands as well as how Audubon of Kansas has worked and is working to ensure that these wetlands have the water they need to support wildlife.
Built for Flight (natural history)
Birds are masters of the air. In order to fly, birds must be lightweight, but also strong to provide power for flight. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, is an ornithologist and will describe how birds’ bodies are adapted for the demands of flight.
New data from old birds: The importance of natural history collections (science)
Even before Darwin, scientists were traveling the world and collecting specimens to preserve in museums. Those specimens are now being used to answer questions that the collectors did not even think to ask. Dr. Jackie Augustine will describe some of the new and exciting information that is being obtained from these specimens.
Hmm… The Buzz about Hummingbirds (natural history)
Only found in North and South America, hummingbirds include the smallest birds on the planet. Their unique method of flying and small size invokes a sense of wonder. Jackie Augustine, Executive Director for Audubon of Kansas, will discuss the unique biology of hummingbirds with a focus on Kansas species.
What is nature? (discussion – personal relationship with nature)
People have different perceptions about what is nature. To some, nature can be found in the ditch along a road. Others consider only wildlife in National Parks to be natural. Some scientists consider nothing to be natural because even National Parks are heavily managed landscapes. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, will lead a discussion about these various viewpoints.
Biology of Yellowstone National Park (travel log)
Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, has traveled to Yellowstone National Park twice, once on a family trip, and once with a class. She will describe the habitat, geology, wildlife, and flora of this unique park. She will also give tips for seeing wolves and avoiding crowds.
America’s National Parks (travel log)
Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, has traveled to 20 National Parks in the United States. She will tell stories of her adventures, and show wonderful photos. You will be inspired to start your own National Park quest!
Robots and Drones for science: Not just science fiction (science and natural history)
Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas Executive Director, is a behavioral ecologist who studies the mating behaviors of wild birds. While attending Kansas State University for her doctorate, she fell in love with prairie-chickens, and has now been studying them for nearly two decades. Her current research utilizes robots to study how males attract mates in Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens, two declining species whose ranges overlap in western Kansas. Another project is determining whether drones could be used to survey for prairie-chickens in the future. Dr. Augustine will describe what fascinates her about prairie-chickens during a 1-hour long presentation which will include videos of robots and drones in action.
Field Trip Opportunities
Beginning Bird Watching
Have you ever tried to identify a bird, but forgot what the bird looked like as soon as you googled it? Do you get overwhelmed when you page through your field guide? Do you just want to refresh your basic birding skills? Jackie Augustine, the Executive Director for Audubon of Kansas, has been bird-watching for 25 years. She will talk about how to identify birds by sight, behavior, and location, demonstrate proper use of binoculars, and talk about how apps and field guides can help beginning bird watchers.
We will start indoors learning how to identify birds by a bird feeder, and then apply our newly-acquired skills on a short bird walk. Attendees should bring their binoculars, field guides, or bird identification cell phone apps and be prepared for an optional walk outside.
Birding by Ear
Jackie can lead an introductory birding by ear walk. She will discuss how to describe songs, give memory aids for learning them, and point out other interesting natural history along the way.
Bird Banding
Jackie is a master bird bander with over 20 years of experience. She can catch wild birds at your location (in Kansas), band them, and release them while talking about how that technique has been used by ornithologists to learn about birds.
Prairie-chicken quest
Seeing and hearing prairie-chickens is an adventure. For the best chances of viewing them, you get up before dawn to arrive at a remote area, and listen for that haunting boom of Greater Prairie-Chickens or joyous gobble of Lesser Prairie-Chickens. When winds are calm, you can often hear the birds at a distance of up to a mile. Jackie can lead a car-based survey for prairie-chickens in optimal habitat. She cannot guarantee good views, but you will likely hear prairie-chickens. She is also interested in coordinating groups to survey for prairie-chickens (especially in northwest Kansas), assist local chapters in starting their own survey route, or provide background and logistical information if your chapter has access to a prairie-chicken lek location and would like to view the birds from a blind.