UPDATE: New Professionals Workshops announced for December 2011 and January 2012

posted 4/10/11

"Contemporary Animal Training and Management "

Designed for Professional Zoo Keepers, Trainers, and Wildlife Educators

Our Mission 
To help you reach your goals and realize your full potential in every aspect of animal training and educational programming.

Workshop Includes:

  • Knowledge: Scientific principles and training technology of Operant Conditioning 
  • Practice: Guided hands-on training with a variety of over 50 different species of birds and other animals
  • Programming: Innovative educational programming from design through presentation
  • Community: Strategies for improving staff communication, team performance, and team building
  • Mastery: Limited class size for personal attention in a comprehensive learning environment
For dates, details, and registration information, click here.

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UPDATE: New Companion Parrot Training Workshop announced for January 2012

posted 4/10/11

"Behavior Apps: Training with Art and Science"

This five-day workshop will exceed your expectations in every way. By focusing on the practical application of the science of learning and behavior you will develop skills to shape and modify even the most challenging behaviors. Under the leadership of Steve Martin and Susan Friedman, Ph.D, this workshop offers a balance of insightful lectures and hands-on experience with several birds from our extensive collection, providing the ideal setting to accommodate various training skill levels. Our expert bird trainers lead each team of four participants in hands-on interactions as they put into practice the information they have learned in the lectures.  Working in small groups with teammates from a variety of backgrounds and skill levels allows participants to have the opportunity to achieve both personal training goals and solutions to assigned group behavioral challenges in a stimulating and supportive team environment.

The information in this workshop includes:

  • The Science of Learning and Behavior
  • Arranging the environment for success
  • Creating lasting positive relationships with your bird
  • Increasing and decreasing behavior through consequences
  • Observing and understanding subtle body language
  • Factors influencing motivation
  • Methods to empower your bird
  • The power of Positive Reinforcement 
  • Teaching parrots basic and advanced behaviors
  • Problem solving
  • Replacing unwanted behaviors
  • Group discussion on current behavior topics

For dates, details, and registration information, click here.

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Natural Encounters, Inc. Presents:

"Birds of the World" at the State Fair of Texas

September 30-October 23, 2011

posted 4/4/2011

This fall, Natural Encounters, Inc., will present the "Birds of the World" free-flight bird show at the State Fair of Texas. This will be our 23rd year at the fair, and we look forward to making it our biggest and best show yet! Entrance to the show is included with fair admission.  More information about the State Fair of Texas can be found at http://www.bigtex.com.