Avian Knowledge Network (AKN): the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How
DoW AKN Regional Training, Cobscook Institute, ME August 11 – 13, 2026

Pre-Training Tasks
What to Bring
Logistics
Local Info

Pre-Training Tasks

  1. Sign up for an AKN account at https://data.pointblue.org/apps/login/register. For “Project you wish to join”, enter “DOD_DEMO”. You will need to have an account to complete the in-class exercises and to test some of the links in the next step. If you already have an AKN account, but do not have access to the DOD_DEMO project, please request access here: https://data.pointblue.org/apps/public/index.php?page=project-request

    You must start this process no later than 24 hrs before the start of class! Your account is not immediately active after you complete registration; you need to be manually approved after we receive an email that you are requesting an account or access to the project.
  2. AFTER your account has been approved, PLEASE verify that you can access the following links (you will need to login first to see if some of them work; the login screen alone isn’t a good indicator). Some DoW computers locally block some of the sites and will require you reaching out to your local admin to unblock them. If they do not work and your admin cannot grant you access in time, you should arrange to use a personal computer for the training so you can fully participate.
    1. https://www.dodakn.org/training-class-website/
    2. https://www.dodakn.org/
    3. https://data.pointblue.org/science/biologists/
    4. https://data.pointblue.org/apps/projectleaders/index.php
    5. https://data.pointblue.org/science/projectmanager/sampling_unit_manager
    6. https://data.pointblue.org/science/projectmanager/protocol_search
    7. https://data.pointblue.org/science/biologists/php/sppsearch.php
    8. https://data.pointblue.org/science/projectmanager/bulk_uploader
    9. https://data.pointblue.org/apps/analysts/
    10. https://data.pointblue.org/apps/rail/
    11. https://data.pointblue.org/apps/downloader/
    12. https://avianknowledge.net/
    13. https://data.pointblue.org/multimap/natnode/
    14. https://data.pointblue.org/apps/phenology_graph/
  3. Complete this pre-training survey so we can learn a bit more about the avian data you collect and we can tailor our instruction to meet your needs: https://www.dodakn.org/dod-akn-pre-training-survey/
  4. Watch the following videos that provide an introductory overview of the AKN tools we will be learning about:
    1. Overview of the Point Blue Science Cloud https://youtu.be/nVwawFpocz4
    2. Protocols in Point Blue Science Cloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ7rYE9w_98
    3. Researchers in Point Blue Science Cloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv1I1zqruSM
    4. Sampling Units in Point Blue Science Cloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4GdWl0rVbg
    5. How to register for the Point Blue Science Cloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0JY7Zo9ddk
  5. If you would like to preview a draft agenda, you can see the latest plan for the week at the class website: https://www.dodakn.org/training-class-website/. Note, this may change slightly but the general topics and timeline will be similar.  

What to Bring

  1. Laptop – you are required to bring a laptop that can access the sites below, as there will be several hands-on exercises during the training.
  2. Clipboard, binoculars, sunscreen, water bottle, hat, etc – we will be spending a morning in the field conducting avian surveys (Wednesday, August 12).
  3. Examples of your data – we strongly encourage you to bring examples of your own datasets to take advantage of the in-person Office Hours we will be holding on Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13. We will be able to help you get started with setting up appropriate protocols and sampling units in the AKN – you may even be able to leave with some of your data loaded! To best prepare for our office hours discussion, please review the questionnaire linked here to get a sense for what we will be asking you about! https://www.dodakn.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/DoDAKN_OfficeHoursQuestionnaire.pdf

Logistics

Location:

Class will begin at 0800 sharp on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at the Cobscook Institute in the Commons building (https://cobscookinstitute.org/).

Cobscook Institute
10 Commissary Point Road
Trescott TWP, ME 04652

Food:

A light continental breakfast will be provided (coffee, juice, yogurt, danishes, bagels, etc.) each day

For lunch, we have only an hour scheduled each day. There are not any restaurants right by the Institute, so we strongly recommend bringing lunch with you! There is a full commercial kitchen available onsite, so you will have access to a refrigerator and microwave.

Field outing:

On Wednesday, we will be going out into the field to conduct bird surveys! Please bring appropriate gear, including binoculars, sunscreen, a clipboard, a water bottle, and whatever else you need to be comfortable. We will not be going through thick vegetation or otherwise difficult terrain.

Local info

Restaurant suggestions:

Machais, ME:

  • The Public House: West Branch Farms 180 West Kennebec Road, Machias ME
  • West Branch Café and Bakery: 125 Dublin Street, Machias ME
  • Helen’s Restaurant: 111 Main Street Machias, ME
  • Mason’s Brewing Company: 78 Main Street, Machias, ME
  • The Anchor: 36 Main Street, Machias, ME
  • River Edge Drive In (Takeout): 95 Main Street, Machias, ME
  • Angie’s Comfort Kitchen (Takeout): 167 Dublin Street, Machias, ME
  • Pats Pizza: 168 Main Street, Machias, ME
  • Hing Garden: 46 Main Street, Machias, ME
  • Boldly Go Burritos: 228 Dublin Street, Machias, ME
  • Subway: 1 Court Street, Machias, ME

Whiting, ME:

  • Whiting Store: 136 US Rt 1, Whiting, ME

Lubec:

  • Fisherman’s Warf Restaurant

Grocery Stores:

  • Hannaford, 149 Dublin Street, Machias, ME

Attractions:

  • Bar Harbor (locally pronounced “Bah Habah!). 1 hr 35 minute drive from Machias. Shops, Restaurants, etc. Typical Downeast Maine tourist town. Great Food though.
  • Acadia National Park – adjacent to Bar Harbor. 1 hr 30 minutes from Machias. https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
  • Cadilac Mountain (hiking, birding, daily Cadilac Mountain Hawk Watch)
  • Downeast Charter Boat Tours, Lubec, Maine: Whale Watching and Birding. https://downeastcharterboattours.com/old-sow-whirlpool-tour/
  • August 14 (Friday) is the Annual Machias Maine Blueberry Festival. This region of Maine produces over 90% of the worlds commercial blueberry crop!
  • Jasper Beach, Machiasport, ME: Jasper Beach in Machiasport, Maine, is renowned as a unique “singing beach” covered in millions of smooth, wave-polished volcanic stones rather than sand. It is famous for the musical, clicking sound the rocks produce as waves recede, alongside its stunning reddish hues, secluded nature, and scenic views of the ocean and nearby bluffs. 
  • Cutler Bold Coast Trail. https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/cutler-coast-public-reserved-land
  • Sunrise Canoe and Kayak Tours: Machias, Maine. Canoe and Kayak rentals for self-guided tours of Machias River and St, Croix River. Guided tours require 2-week advance scheduling. http://www.sunrisecanoeandkayak.com/