Audubon to expand Christmas bird count.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - National Audubon Society

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), the longest-running citizen science wildlife survey in the world, is undergoing several significant changes. Fees to take part in the count have been dropped to encourage greater participation by bird watchers, and the annual published report, "American Birds," will go digital in 2013, saving more trees for the birds. Christmas Bird Count information will be available online in Spanish for the first time, while Audubon will begin to extend conservation-focused observation efforts throughout the seasons.

"The Audubon Christmas Bird Count harnesses volunteer power to gather knowledge that shapes conservation policy at enormous scales in this country," says David Yarnold, president and CEO. "I couldn't be prouder of the volunteers who contribute each year. This is the largest, longest-running animal census on the planet and, with the elimination of fees, we're looking forward to even mere people having a role in this adventure."

From Dec. 14, 2012, to Jan. 5, 2013, volunteers will add a new layer to data. "This is not just about counting birds," points out Gary Langham, Audubon's chief...