Researchers at the University of Toronto/Rotman Research Institute are studying neuroplasticity and lifespan learning. They are currently seeking participants across Canada and the US for a short online study examining how birding and citizen science activities contribute to cognitive and brain health. They've worked with various groups to develop this line of research (e.g., naturalists, gardening, musical interests), most of which focuses on nature and learning in the domains of natural science.
The study is open to anyone 18+, takes ~15 minutes, and requires no prior birding experience. Participants can choose to enter a raffle for a gift card, or one of several pairs of binoculars from our sponsors.
At the population level, they're exploring how trends in species prevalence correlate with geographic trends in how people perceive and categorize birds. At the smaller scale, they have a line of neuroimaging research looking at beneficial changes to brain structure and function that result from decades spent learning about birds.
More details about the study as well as links to past publications and articles can be found at the study website, www.birdingstudies.com.
Learn more in this Audubon Magazine article that provides a brief overview of this research area, including some of the team's past work: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/spring-2023/yes-birding-does-change-your-brain