In 2009, 59,813 participants took part in 2,124 individual counts — an all time high — and reported a total of 65,596,663 birds of 2,126 species.
The volunteer-generated data that are a result of these counts have become an important part of the U.S. government’s Natural History Monitoring Database.
Thus, the CBC is a great opportunity for bird enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to make a significant and useful contribution to science.
The CBC began in 1900 when 27 birders in 25 separate locations in North America posed an alternative to the “Side Hunt,” a Christmas day tradition in which participants chose sides and shot as many birds and mammals as possible throughout the day.
Instead, this small group led by scientist Frank Chapman counted and recorded all birds detected and founded what is now considered the world’s most significant citizen based conservation effort.
So come take part in this fun, day-long event.
Be in the American Memorial Park parking lot at 6 a.m. on Dec. 23 with water, snacks or food, paper, pencils or pens, and binoculars and field guide if you have them. It’s OK if you don’t own binoculars, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife may have a few field guides on hand for use.
As you’ll take part in both roadside and walking surveys, come appropriately attired.
A participation fee of $5 will be required, which covers the cost of data compilation and of the annual Christmas Bird Count publication that all participants will receive.
Paul Radley of DFW will be leading and organizing the count.
If you have any questions or are interested in taking part in the counts on Tinian, Dec. 20, or Rota (date yet to be determined), call or e-mail Paul at 664-6011 or [email protected].
Learn computer basics at NMC
(NMC) — Northern Marianas College is offering short-term classes to interested individuals who wish to improve their computer application skills. The courses are facilitated by the Community Development Institute, a program under the Division of Community Programs and Services.
The courses are also offered as part of the college’s mission to provide customized, continuing educational and professional development opportunities in response to community needs.
Additionally, the classes, which are designed to improve individual knowledge and specific skills, are geared around actual workforce needs and experiences based on course surveys, community needs assessments, and interviews with employers.
The December/January schedule and course fees are listed below.
For a more detailed description of each course, contact CDI at 234-5498 ext. 1005 or log on to www.nmcnet.edu.
• How to Properly Use a Keyboard (Keyboarding)
Dec.14-17
Schedule: Mon-Tues (5pm-8pm), Wed-Thurs (5pm-7pm)
Room: TBA
Fee: $70
• Understanding Personal Computers and How They Work
Dec. 21-23 (5pm-7pm)
Room: TBA
Fee: $35
• E-mail: The Best Way to Communicate
Dec. 29-30 (5pm-7pm)
Room: TBA
Fee: $25
• How to Use Word Processing Applications
Jan. 4-8 (5pm-8pm)
Room: TBA
Fee: $90
• How to Use Spreadsheet Applications
Jan. 11-15 (5pm-8pm)
Room: TBA
Fee: $90
• Creating Digital Presentations
Jan. 19-22 & 25 (5pm-8pm)
Room: TBA
Fee: $90
CDI will also be offering its customer service and administrative training courses in January running into February.
For a schedule of these classes, log on to www.nmcnet.edu.
Interested individuals must register at least seven days prior to the first day of class.
Certificates of competence will be awarded to registered students who complete all course requirements.
Full payment is required for admission to a class.
To register or for information about these classes, visit the CDI office in Building P on the NMC campus in As Terlaje or call Les Ogumoro-Uludong at 234-5498 ext. 1010 or e-mail [email protected].
Homeland Security will allow NMC to enroll foreign students
(NMC) — The Department of Homeland Security has approved Northern Marianas College’s application to enroll foreign students under the Department’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
An approval from Homeland Security means that NMC meets the requirements to admit and enroll nonimmigrant students.
As a result, the college can now issue foreign students Certificates for Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, or the Form I-20, a document required to apply for “F” (academic programs) and “M” (nonacademic vocational programs) student visas.
The approval from Homeland Security also means that the college will help assume the responsibility for monitoring, tracking, reporting, and recordkeeping of nonimmigrant foreign students and ensure that international students are maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status.
The request to enroll foreign students under the federal system was originally submitted by the college last June, and it was followed by a visit from DHS officials in October.
“Through NMC’s acceptance into the SEVP, the college will be able to continue offering a first-rate education to students from other countries throughout the world,” said NMC President Carmen Fernandez.
“Foreign students contribute to the diversity of cultures, ideas, and perspectives here at the college so it is important that their ability to enroll at the college is continued,” added Fernandez.
To obtain a student visa, foreign students will need to have been accepted at NMC in either an academic or nonacademic vocational program.
Student visa applicants will then meet with college officials to receive the necessary documents required for enrollment into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
SEVIS is a web-based information system that keeps track of foreign students and other exchange program participants, and allows information sharing among various institutions and government agencies that students and exchange visitors are involved with during their journey to the United States and their stay in the country.
This new process primarily applies to foreign students who are not already students at Northern Marianas College.
Those who are already enrolled should contact the NMC Office of Admissions and Records at [email protected] for more information.
Student visa applicants must pay a fee to be enrolled in SEVIS, and they will need to retain their proof of payment for presentation during their visa interview at a U.S. embassy in the country of student’s origin
The fee varies according to the type of study or exchange program they are participating in and the type of visa they are applying for.
The SEVIS fee for most students is $200.
For more information on SEVIS enrollment requirements, visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html.
Student Visa applicants would need to make an appointment for a visa interview by contacting the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. That information is available at www.usembassy.gov. Visa processing procedures can vary, depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but all student visa and exchange visitor visa applicants are given priority.
