Breadcrumb
Membership & Benefits
Support birds. Support science. Support the next generation.
Become part of the HOC community.
The Humboldt Ornithology Collective is more than a research program — it's a community of students, alumni, scientists, birders, conservationists, and supporters united by a shared passion for birds. Your membership helps train the next generation of ornithologists, advance avian research, and inspire bird conservation throughout California and beyond.
In return, members enjoy opportunities to stay connected with HOC through seminars, publications, exclusive field experiences, birding events, and behind-the-scenes access to the people and projects shaping the future of ornithology.
Support HOC through a one-time donation or by becoming an annual member.
Not ready to become a member?
One-time donations of any amount directly support HOC's programs, including student internships, bird banding, research, seminars, and outreach.
Supporter — $50/year
- Quarterly HOC publication
- Access to quarterly HOC talks (in person or via Zoom)
Guardian — $100/year
Includes all Supporter benefits, plus:
- Recognition in HOC annual reports
- Invitations to special birding events
- Access to HOC in the Field
Red-tail — $1,000/year
Includes all Guardian benefits, plus:
- Personalized communication with HOC leadership
- Early invitations to HOC programs and initiatives
Flyway Partner — Starting at $2,500/year
Flyway Partners are businesses, organizations, or individuals that invest in the future of birds, science, and conservation. Their support helps train the next generation of ornithologists while advancing research and community engagement throughout California's Pacific Flyway.
Benefits include public recognition across HOC communications, opportunities to sponsor HOC programs and events, invitations to special member experiences, and direct engagement with HOC leadership.
HOC in the Field
Experience ornithology where it happens.
One of the unique benefits of HOC membership is the opportunity to join HOC scientists in the field. Each summer, members are invited to accompany HOC faculty, graduate students, and research staff on select research projects for an insider's look at the science behind bird conservation and ecology.
These small-group field experiences (typically five participants or fewer) offer a rare opportunity to observe active research as it unfolds while interacting directly with the scientists conducting it. Depending on the project, participants might witness bird banding, follow radio-tracked owls, visit seabird colonies, accompany songbird surveys, or see how researchers monitor birds across Northern California's diverse landscapes.
More than just field trips, HOC in the Field is an opportunity to stay connected with the Humboldt ornithology community. Members gain firsthand insight into HOC's current research, meet the people behind the science, ask questions in an informal setting, and build relationships with fellow HOC members who share a passion for birds.
Whether you're a Humboldt alumnus, longtime supporter, birder, or simply curious about the work HOC is doing, HOC in the Field offers an engaging way to experience ornithological research while becoming part of the HOC community.
