Podcasts about black birders week

(Jun 4, 2026) We join a birdwalk in Lake Placid, where organizers say the second annual Black Birders Week celebration is helping more people of color feel welcome in the outdoors; a foster dog in Ogdensburg is in the national Pet Lovers Choice Awards competition; and we remember North Country musician Dan Duggan, who died last week at 69 years old. 

(Jun 4, 2026) Black Birders Week is a time for people of color to stake their claim to the outdoors. We join a bird walk at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid for the Adirondacks' second annual recognition of the event. Also: New Yorkers can expect to see more speed cameras in work zones thanks to legislation included in the state budget.

A decent pair of binoculars can considerably enhance your enjoyment of birds. In this episode, birder and naturalist Dara Miles Wilson shares a crash course on how to use binoculars. This is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate by following the hashtag #BlackBirdersWeek on social media and checking out the full schedule here. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brianna Amingwa, is an environmental educator, co-organizer of Black Birders Week and mom of two little bird-loving boys. For Black Birders Week, Brianna shares moments of fun and learning while birding as a family. This is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate by following the hashtag #BlackBirdersWeek on social media and checking out the full schedule of events here.  More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Harriet Tubman was a heroic abolitionist in the cause to end chattel slavery. She was also an excellent astronomer and naturalist — and an expert birder. She mastered the hoot of the Barred Owl, using it as a signal throughout the Underground Railroad to let freedom seekers know she had arrived. This week is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate in Black Birders Week here and by following #BlackBirdersWeek on social media. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Marcus Rosten shares his involvement in a study of the American Woodcock with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The study revealed the surprising journeys of one of North America's quirkiest birds. One woodcock caught near Buffalo flew nearly 400 miles south without stopping, en route to spend the winter in North Carolina. Migrations like the woodcocks' help connect people all over the continent and highlight the importance of making sure these birds can find safe places to live throughout their range. This week is Black Birders Week. Learn how to participate in Black Birders Week here and by following #BlackBirdersWeek on social media. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

**Celebrating Black Birders and Exploring the Financial Issues Behind Martin University's Closure** This week on the show, we're talking about two fascinating topics that might not be on your radar. First, we're celebrating Black Birders Week, a national week-long program dedicated to uplifting black nature enthusiasts and highlighting their visibility in the outdoors. Our guests, Hyacinth Rucker, Conner Prairie Senior Manager of PR & Communications and Cameron Benbree, Conner Prairie Community Engagement Specialist, join us to share their insights on this important initiative and how it's making a difference in the community. We also dive into a more serious topic, the financial issues behind Martin University's closure. The Mirror Indy Higher Education reporter Claire Rafford shares her in-depth report on the financial problems that led to the university's abrupt closure. We discuss the role of financial aid, the university's reliance on federal funding, and the consequences of mismanagement. Our conversation raises more questions than answers, and we explore the potential for a class action lawsuit to uncover more information. As we explore these topics, we're reminded of the importance of accountability and transparency in institutions of higher education. We also highlight the need for more representation and inclusivity in the outdoors, particularly for black nature enthusiasts. Tune in to hear the full conversation and learn more about Black Birders Week, the financial issues behind Martin University's closure, and the importance of accountability in higher education. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that will leave you with more questions than answers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Masonville Cove in South Baltimore is a special place to study birds. Once a dumping ground for sediment dredged from the Baltimore Harbor, the Cove is now a popular urban wildlife refuge. Community educator and wildlife ecologist Sharon Dorsey is part of a research team that's monitoring bird populations at the refuge with a scientific technique called bird banding. It's a specialized, federally-regulated method to safely catch and release wild birds. The information gathered by bird banders is recorded in a global database. So if the banded bird is encountered again, at another station or during a different season, researchers will know that it once took refuge in Baltimore. This is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate by following the hashtag #BlackBirdersWeek on social media and checking out the full program here. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Birder and naturalist Marcus Rosten loves to watch the American Herring Gulls that flock to Freedom Park in Buffalo, New York. Once a final stop for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, the park is also known for supporting birds that face an uncertain future. For Black Birders Week, Marcus reflects on what we lose when species of conservation concern — like American Herring Gulls – are overlooked and underappreciated.   This is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate by following the hashtag #BlackBirders Week on social media and checking out the full schedule here.  More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, urban ecologist Deja Perkins talks about how many bird species live right within bustling cities. Whether you're on your porch, at your local park, or the parking lot of your favorite store, you can find birds. Deja suggests taking five minutes to focus your attention on birds. Look up in the sky, along power lines and the tops of buildings. Close your eyes and listen — past the sounds of traffic — for the songs of nearby birds. This week is Black Birders Week. Learn how to participate in Black Birders Week here and by following #BlackBirdersWeek on social media. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(May 22, 2026) After 250 years, 44 Continental Army soldiers are being buried in Lake George after their remains were discovered in a construction site; the Great Adirondack Garage Sale is this weekend, spanning more than 200 miles across the park; John Warren checks on outdoor conditions ahead of Memorial Day weekend; and we hear from local organizers about this year's Black Birders Week events in the Adirondacks.

All Ears Episode Description: Marcus Rosten—guest-host of the Bring Birds Back podcast on Bird Note, naturalist, and Grammy Award winner—joins us to share a story of navigating racial harassment while hawk-watching at his local park during the civil rights movements of 2020 In their own words: Marcus Rosten is a naturalist working to protect, connect, and restore the largest remaining tracts of wildlife habitat in Western New York. Since graduating with a degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, he has served as an interpretive park ranger in our national parks and forests, led environmental education and stewardship programs with non-profit organizations, and worked as a fish and wildlife technician, conducting wildlife surveys and managing habitats for state and federal agencies. Marcus is a 30 Under 30 Awardee from the North American Association for Environmental Education and has been featured nationally in Scholastic News, Nike Journal, BirdNote, and on PBS Nature.As the Director of the Western New York Wildway with the Western New York Land Conservancy in Buffalo, NY, he is leading a landscape-scale conservation initiative to create a network of protected lands and corridors from the Allegany Plateau of Appalachia to the Great Lakes and beyond. The WNY Wildway will allow plants and animals to safely roam across the land as they once did, to move as the climate changes, and expand their ranges to ensure their survival. He is also a GRAMMY Award winning musician performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus.This episode supports: Bird Note! Listen to episode featuring Marcus here https://www.birdnote.org/contributed/17548Help us keep making the show: Patreon.com/WeOutHerePodTwitter and IG @TheWeOutHerePodStart learning about whose land you're on and begin taking action https://native-land.ca/

While Dara Wilson was working at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in D.C., she introduced visitors to the Amazonia exhibit. She would describe the song of a bird she'd never had the chance to see in the wild, the Blue-gray Tanager. But when Dara moved to Panama, she heard the song that she knew by heart already. Encountering the Blue-gray Tanager in its natural habitat inspired her to keep learning about birds — and to share that knowledge with others as an educator. Dara helps organize Black Birders Week. Find out how you can participate in this year's event here. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode Description: Marcus Rosten—guest-host of the Bring Birds Back podcast on Bird Note, naturalist, and Grammy Award winner—joins us to share a story of navigating racial harassment while hawk-watching at his local park during the civil rights movements of 2020 In their own words: Marcus Rosten is a naturalist working to protect, connect, and restore the largest remaining tracts of wildlife habitat in Western New York. Since graduating with a degree in Environmental Education and Interpretation from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, he has served as an interpretive park ranger in our national parks and forests, led environmental education and stewardship programs with non-profit organizations, and worked as a fish and wildlife technician, conducting wildlife surveys and managing habitats for state and federal agencies. Marcus is a 30 Under 30 Awardee from the North American Association for Environmental Education and has been featured nationally in Scholastic News, Nike Journal, BirdNote, and on PBS Nature.As the Director of the Western New York Wildway with the Western New York Land Conservancy in Buffalo, NY, he is leading a landscape-scale conservation initiative to create a network of protected lands and corridors from the Allegany Plateau of Appalachia to the Great Lakes and beyond. The WNY Wildway will allow plants and animals to safely roam across the land as they once did, to move as the climate changes, and expand their ranges to ensure their survival. He is also a GRAMMY Award winning musician performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus.This episode supports: Bird Note! Listen to episode featuring Marcus here https://www.birdnote.org/contributed/17548Help us keep making the show: Patreon.com/WeOutHerePodTwitter and IG @TheWeOutHerePodStart learning about whose land you're on and begin taking action https://native-land.ca/

Episode Description: On this Melanin March episode of the We Out Here Podcast, Allison takes the reins as co-host Alexi Grousis recounts a recent story of feeling a deep sense of being in the sky islands.In their own words: For all the folks new to the program my name is Alexi Grousis, a zoo-based herpetologist, an original co-organizers of the first Black Birders Week, a founding member of the Black AF in Stem Collective, and co-creator of The 'We Out Here' Podcast. Over the years I've grown not only in my interest in nature to my understanding of its ubiquity. These days I see no division whether that be among ourselves or between us and the "natural world"This episode supports: The belief in a better worldHelp us keep making the show: Patreon.com/WeOutHerePodTwitter and IG @TheWeOutHerePodStart learning about whose land you're on and begin taking action https://native-land.ca/

Do you need an episode that's the equivalent of a big, deep, inhale and exhale? GREAT NEWS, TEAM, WE HAVE THE EPISODE FOR YOU. Journalist and urban birder Ryan Goldberg joins me talk about the recent spike of interest in birding (particularly amongst young people), but we go a lot deeper than "wow seems like millennials are taking up old people hobbies." We talk about the intergenerational magic of birding clubs, bird list gamificiation (and how to avoid it), and how apps like Merlin have changed birding culture. But the real heart of this episode is what makes people fall in love — and stay in love — with a hobby that's really, at heart, about listening. I'm not a birder, so this episode will be accessible to anyone in my shoes (or who's birding-curious) — and if you are a birder, get ready to nerd out. I hope your blood pressure drops a few points while listening, because my mine sure did while recording.If you're a paid subscriber and haven't yet set up your subscriber RSS feed in your podcast player, here's the EXTREMELY easy how-to .And if you're having any other issues with your Patreon subscription — please get in touch! Email me at annehelenpetersen @ gmail OR submit a request to Patreon Support. Thank you for making the switch with us — the podcast in particular is much more at home here!We're experimenting with producing our own (moderately polished) transcripts. They'll be uploaded here within 24 hours of publishing. Thanks to the sponsors of today's episode!Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/culture and use code culture to get 60% off your first box!Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://trymiracle.com/CULTURE and use the code CULTURE to claim your free 3-piece towel set and save over 40% OFF.Get better sleep, hair and skin with Blissy and use CULTUREPOD to get an additional 30% off at blissy.com/CULTUREPOD Get an exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/CULTURE, promo Code CULTUREShow Notes:Buy Bird City here! Learn more about Ryan's work here — also noting two upcoming events (learn more on his website) An Eastern Towee in action (with its call!) A lovely birding guide to Central ParkJoin the Brooklyn Bird Club! All about the Merlin app Black Birders Week!Feminist Bird ClubThe Macaulay Library of Bird SongsThe hungover birdwatcherWe're currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:WEIRD ENGLISH WORDS (where do they come from!) with Colin Gorrie, who writes explainers like this one on the word DOGQuestions About How to Respond When People Ask/React To the Knowledge That You're Not Having KidsThe Wild Largely Unregulated World of IVF (and IVF Bureaucracy) Audiobooks!!! (with MVP audiobook narrator Julia Whelan)'90s Movie Soundtracks How we think about the morality of money and taxes — who should pay taxes, who shouldn't, who "deserves" money, who doesn't, how we came to decide that religious organizations shouldn't pay taxes (and how that belief is changing), SO MUCH PEOPLE'S NAMES and what they signify (and how it changes with time) Anything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment. You can ask about anything, it's literally the name of the segmentAs always, you can submit your questions (and ideas for future eps) hereFor this week's discussion: Tell me about your experience with birding culture — or something about this episode that made you want to get into it! (I bet it was me laughing like a 5 year old about birds named tits)

Share your Field Stories!Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! On today's episode, we talk with Alex Troutman, Wildlife Biologist about Spark Birds, Lifer Pie, and Becoming the Mirror for Yourself.   Read his full bio below.Help us continue to create great content! If you'd like to sponsor a future episode hit the support podcast button or visit www.environmentalprofessionalsradio.com/sponsor-form Showtimes: 1:17 - Learning from our Guests8:40 - Interview with Alex Troutman Starts15:51 - Favorite Roles 26:40 - Being a role model 41:53 - Field Notes with Alex!Please be sure to ✔️subscribe, ⭐rate and ✍review. This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.Connect with Alex Troutman at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-troutman-aba24828b/ Guest  Bio:Alex is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist and Environmental educator with a passion for sharing and immersing the younger generation into nature. He has a Bachelor of Biology and master's degree with a focus in  Conservation Biology from Georgia Southern University.  Knowing how it feels to not see anybody who looks like you  in your dream career, Alex makes it a point to be that representation for the younger generation.  He is  the co-organizer for several Black in X weeks including Black Birders Week and Black Mammologists Week,  A movement encouraging diversity in nature, and the celebration of Black individuals  scientists, and increasing awareness of Black nature enthusiasts, and diversity in STEM fields.Music CreditsIntro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace MesaOutro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs MullerSupport the showThanks for listening! A new episode drops every Friday. Like, share, subscribe, and/or sponsor to help support the continuation of the show. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and all your favorite podcast players.

(Jun 9, 2025)

(Jun 9, 2025) The end of May was Black Birders Week, an annual national celebration that's working to make birdwatching more accessible and welcoming for people of color. We pick up the binoculars and hit the trail with a group of beginning birders in Lake Placid. Also: Members of a powerful state legislative caucus are calling on lawmakers to pass a slate of prison reform bills before the end of the legislative session.

In this episode, environmental educator and nature enthusiast Nicole Jackson tells the story of an unexpected backyard birding experience when she visited her mom in 2021. When she arrived, Nicole saw typical birds such as robins and jays, but then saw something less common: a brightly colored Blackburnian Warbler! Nicole's mom asked what she was looking at, and Nicole showed her pictures of all the nearby birds on her phone. Nicole helped her mom create an account on Merlin Bird ID and document her first bird sighting.This week is Black Birders Week. Learn how to participate in Black Birders Week here and by following #BlackBirdersWeek on social media.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Deja Perkins, an urban ecologist and co-organizer of Black Birders Week, remembers seeing House Sparrows all over Chicago as a kid. These little brown birds are native to Eurasia and North Africa, but were forced to adapt to many places around the world where they were introduced. Though many people consider House Sparrows to be urban pests, Deja admires them and draws parallels between their natural history and the story of her own ancestors.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Grackles, vultures, and other big black birds are often disparaged by people who'd rather they stay out of sight. But Marcus Rosten, an environmental educator and co-organizer of Black Birders Week, appreciates these birds for the important roles they play in nature and the ways their stories reflect his own experience as a Black birder.This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows while also drawing parallels with the struggles and triumphs of Black birders. Learn more about how to participate in this week's events here.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

When Adé Ben-Salahuddin stopped to help a trapped young bird on his way home from work, he found an unexpected source of help: an older Black woman walking by who had just the skills for the problem at hand.This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows while also drawing parallels with the struggles and triumphs of Black birders. Learn more about how to participate in this week's events here.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

In this episode of Random Nature we explore the captivating worlds of destination birding and backyard birding.  I shout out several other cool podcasts:LifelistHannah and Erik go BirdingBird BanterScience of BirdsBirdJoy PodcastWe highlight incredible locations such as the Pantanal in Brazil, home to over 650 bird species, and Hokkaido in Japan, known for its diverse ecosystems that attract various birds throughout the year. Transitioning to backyard birding, we discuss how to create a bird-friendly environment with feeders, native plants, and water sources, allowing birdwatchers to connect with local wildlife from the comfort of home. Whether venturing into the wild or observing familiar species in your yard, each birding experience enriches our appreciation for nature. I close out to remind everyone of Black Birders Week, then announce that my trade book is available for preorder: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/cultural-heritage-resilience-of-the-great-dismal-swamp-9780761892021/

There are many benefits for birds that form mixed flocks, from safety and survival to care and feeding. We can see the power of community through the actions of birds every day. And it's time we took a note from their book.This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows while also drawing parallels with the struggles and triumphs of Black birders. Learn more about how to participate in this week's events here.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.  

In June 2024, environmental educator and co-organizer of Black Birders Week Dara Miles Wilson traveled to Camden, South Carolina to attend her cousin's funeral. Despite the somber circumstances, two birds surprised her with unanticipated brightness.This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows while also drawing parallels with the struggles and triumphs of Black birders. Learn more about how to participate in this week's events here.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Sparrows are remarkable birds that come in a wide range of brown hues. Just as sparrows are frequently dismissed in favor of more "charismatic" species, Black birders have historically been underrepresented in conservation spaces.This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows while also drawing parallels with the struggles and triumphs of Black birders. Learn more about how to participate in this week's events here.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

We're inviting you to head to one of seven local parks or open spaces for Black Birders Week. We'll hear from an inspired organizer, as well as representatives from Gather New Haven and the Sierra Club about how and why to get involved in all the local Black Birders Week activities.

We're going to open with one of the new voices representing a familiar community partner - Green Village Initiative - which is successfully collaborating to address hunger, farming, and food insecurity in greater Bridgeport. Then, In the next segment of our Mental Health Awareness Month series, For the People is calling on one of the front line leaders of Wheeler's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services to talk about how it's responders are focusing on youth mental health support - and addressing stigmas tied to asking for help. And we'll close inviting you to head to one of seven local parks or open spaces for Black Birders Week. We'll hear from an inspired organizer, as well as representatives from Gather New Haven and the Sierra Club about how and why to get involved in all the local Black Birders Week activities.

Birdwatching has taken off as a hobby in recent years, and for good reason! Birds are vital members of our planet's ecosystems and are major bioindicators when it comes to understanding how climate change is affecting different environments. Joining host Dr. Samantha Yammine today are two passionate birders who use science to understand bird behavior and how we can better support our friends in the sky. Corina Newsome is a wildlife biologist and one of the co-founders of Black Birders Week. She speaks on the importance of birding as it relates to accessibility and environmental justice. Then, senior producer Teresa Carey is joined by Miyoko Chu from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to discuss window collisions and what birds can tell us about the climate. Finally, Sam reads a question from a listener and explains the sociological phenomenon of collective effervescence. Link to Show Notes HERE Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CNX plans to use methane from coal mines to make hydrogen and clean jet fuel. To pay for it, they want to use new clean energy tax credits. Inside a brewing fight over billions of dollars in hydrogen subsidies. Some residents of Greene County want answers from EQT and state regulators about why their well water is giving them rashes after showers. They blame an event two years ago for their dirty water. Plus, we talk with a family participating in Black Birders Week for the first time.  We have news about a whistleblower's claim against EPA's East Palestine clean-up, PFAS in Pennsylvania's water systems and the Mountain Valley Pipeline's approval to begin transporting gas to Virginia.  

Last week saw the fourth year of Black Birders Week, which continues to be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity in the birding and nature communities. To help mark the occassion, we hand over the podcast to the host of Your Bird Story, Georgia Silvera Seamans, who brings our 2024 ABA Bird of the Year artist Natasza Fontaine, a working biologist in addition to being a science illustrator, to talk about her experiences with birds, botany, and whatever other natural "B's" she loves to encounter.  Don't forget to donate to the ABA's Nesting Season Appeal, which raises money for our excellent young birder programs. Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it! And don't forget to join the ABA to support this podcast and the many things we do for birds and birders! Thanks to our friends at Zeiss for sponsoring this episode. For a limited time you can get $200 of all ZEISS Conquest HD binoculars. Visit your local optics dealer or visit ZEISS.com/nature to find a dealer near you.

In this episode, Lillian Holden — a Chicago-based environmental educator — introduces us to the African American Heritage Water Trail, a 7-mile stretch along the Little Calumet River and the Cal-Sag Channel that flows through the south side of Chicago. Highlighting over 180 years of African American history, the Water Trail includes historical sites linked to the Underground Railroad, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the environmental justice movement. It also features ecological richness and abundant wildlife, including many species of birds.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

For her PhD, Deja Perkins is studying datasets generated by the public, also known as participatory science projects. These projects include eBird, a site where anyone can upload bird observations. And they're essential to conservation efforts. But Deja says that not every area is well represented in eBird, because right now the participants are predominantly white and affluent, leading to a gap in what we know about the diversity of birds in many low-income and minority areas. Involving a wide variety of people in reporting bird observations where they live could help close the data gaps and reveal where to put new green spaces for both birds and people.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

While Dara Wilson was working at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in D.C., she introduced visitors to the Amazonia exhibit. She would describe the song of a bird she'd never had the chance to see in the wild, the Blue-gray Tanager. But when Dara moved to Panama, she heard the song that she knew by heart already. Encountering the Blue-gray Tanager in its natural habitat inspired her to keep learning about birds — and to share that knowledge with others as an educator. Dara helps organize Black Birders Week. Find out how you can participate here.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Join Ellen & special guest, naturalist and birder Dara Miles Wilson, about some of the brightest and boldest members of the corvid family: the tenacious and charming blue jays. We discuss the audacity of jays and their amazing hawk impressions, what to put in your birdfeeder and why you might want to add a little spice, why blue jays aren't actually blue, and so much more.Links:Follow Black AF in Stem on social media (linktree here) and check out the virtual and in-person events for this year's Black Birders Week!Follow Dara on Instagram or Twitter!For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website!Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram & Discord!Follow Ellen on TikTok!

Ornithology is defined as “a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds.” The study, at least in America, is often tied to the amateur “father” of the study, John James Audubon. However, Audubon and many like him appropriated the knowledge of black and indigenous contributions and took the credit for themselves. Ornithology is filled with racist ideologies, with many slave-owners and/or white supremacists being rewarded with birds bearing their namesakes. Black naturalists may have been labeled as “amateur”, but their voices cannot remain silenced. Black Birder's week is a celebration of black nature-lovers and a commitment to the larger cause of breaking the colonial ties to greenspaces where everyone should feel welcome and safe. Ms. Nicole Jackson- founder of N Her Nature LLC, nature enthusiast, park advocate, Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Education & Interpretation, and birder-joins us to relight the fire for what we all know is true; the outdoors are for everyone!    Our Sources: Audubon, John James. The Life of John James Audubon, the Naturalist. Edited by Lucy Green Bakewell Audubon. New York: G. P. Putman's sons, 1875. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Life_of_John_James_Audubon_the_Natur/TB2gs7v5se0C?hl=en&gbpv=0. Ellison, Aaron M. et al. “Broadening the ecological mindset.” Ecological Applications, Vol. 31, no. 6, (September 2021): 1-3. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/27092162 Jacobs, Nancy J. “The Intimate Politics of Ornithology in Colonial Africa.” Cambridge University Press, Vol. 48, no. 3 (July 2006): 564-603. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3879437 Mirzoeff, Nicholas. “The Whiteness of Birds.”  liquid blackness, Vol 6, no.1 (April 2022): 120–137. https://read.dukeupress.edu/liquid-blackness/article/6/1/120/299559/The-Whiteness-of-Birds   Mock, Jillian. “‘Black Birders Week' Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors.” Audubon Magazine (June 1, 2020) https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors#:~:text=News-,'Black%20Birders%20Week'%20Promotes%20Diversity%20and%20Takes%20on%20Racism%20in,and%20studying%20the%20natural%20world. Nobles, Gregory. “The Myth of John James Audubon.” Audubon Magazine (July 31, 2020) https://www.audubon.org/news/the-myth-john-james-audubon.   Rhodes, Richard. John James Audubon: The Making of an American. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2006. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=4j2FDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=John+James+Audubon&ots=GTGU7cI5Pk&sig=I0nBHyu6npig6HN8B0skVIF6aBE#v=onepage&q=John%20James%20Audubon&f=false Southern, Keiran. “80 bird species will be renamed ‘to break links with ‘slavery and racism'.” the website for the National African American Reparations Commission. The Times, published on November 02, 2023. accessed on April 11, 2024. https://reparationscomm.org/reparations-news/80-bird-species-will-be-renamed-to-break-links-with-slavery-and-racism/. the National Audubon Society, “Audubon Statement on Incident in Central Park's Ramble,” National Audubon Society, May 2020, https://www.audubon.org/news/audubon-statement-incident-central-parks-ramble the National Audubon Society, “National Audubon Society Announces Decision to Retain Current Name,” National Audubon Society, March 2023, https://www.audubon.org/news/national-audubon-society-announces-decision-retain-current-name   Additional Links: https://people.com/the-true-story-behind-christian-cooper-and-amy-cooper-s-central-park-birdwatching-incident-7510993 https://academic.oup.com/condor/article/125/1/duac047/7026134 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349479882_Growing_a_Community_The_Inaugural_Blackbotanistsweek_Recap_and_Looking_Forward

Join Ellen & special guest, naturalist and birder Dara Miles Wilson, about some of the brightest and boldest members of the corvid family: the tenacious and charming blue jays. We discuss the audacity of jays and their amazing hawk impressions, what to put in your birdfeeder and why you might want to add a little spice, why blue jays aren't actually blue, and so much more.Links:Follow Black AF in Stem on social media (linktree here) and check out the virtual and in-person events for this year's Black Birders Week!Follow Dara on Instagram or Twitter!For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website!Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram & Discord!Follow Ellen on TikTok!

When Adé Ben-Salahuddin stopped to help a trapped young bird on his way home from work, he found an unexpected source of help: an older Black woman walking by who had just the skills for the problem at hand.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

This episode narrated by Marcus Rosten explores the history and the birdlife of the Niagara River Corridor. Just downstream from the falls, Long-tailed Ducks and Bonaparte's Gulls call out near the site where the Haudenosaunee and other Native American groups would portage around the falls. Niagara's churning rapids prevent ice from forming, making it a year-round fishing spot for half the world's species of gulls. The rapids were also the final hurdle for Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad journeying to Canada.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

In this episode, neuroscientist Lola Neal explores how birds are used as models to understand many neural processes, as they have cognitive abilities comparable to those of the cleverest mammals. Studying vocal learning and imitation in songbirds like Zebra Finches has helped  researchers explore how language is acquired, an important topic in human infant development and beyond.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

In this episode, Nicole Jackson and Emma Brittain announce the fifth year of Black Birders Week, a week-long celebration with events and activities that highlight the achievements and contributions of Black birders, amplify their experiences in nature, and raise awareness about the importance of diversity in birding and conservation. Stay tuned to BirdNote Daily for a week of shows produced by Black Birders Week organizers and learn how to participate in the week's events.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. 

In this episode of Quakers Today, we ask, What does bird watching have to do with Quakers? After the show notes, you will find a complete transcript of this episode below. Lessons from Birds about Nature, Community, and Racial Justice Birdwatching may seem like a serene, perhaps even solitary activity, but in the latest episode of the Quakers Today Podcast, we discover it's a window into much larger conversations about community, justice, and spirituality. Rebecca Heider, a white birder from Philadelphia, shares her Quaker guide to birdwatching, revealing the profound lessons she has learned from birding. Her concept of a 'spark bird' – the one that ignites a birder's passion is a beautiful anecdote and a metaphor for those transformative moments in life that guide our paths. Rebecca Hieder discusses her article, "A Quaker Guide to Birdwatching: Eight Lessons for Friends and Seekers." This discussion also highlights the importance of respecting nature and the profound joy that can be found in everyday moments of observation. Miche McCall crafted the sound design. #BlackBirdersWeek Tykee James, a Black birder also originally from Philadelphia, opens up about the joys and dangers of birding while Black. In May 2020, a video from Central Park's "The Ramble" went viral, showing a white woman, Amy Cooper, calling the police on a black birdwatcher, Christian Cooper (no relation) after he asked her to leash her dog as required by park rules.  Despite his calm approach, Amy escalated the situation by threatening to report an African American man was threatening her life. The incident, captured on video and viewed over 40 million times, sparked widespread discussions about racial bias and the history of false accusations against black individuals.   This incident led Tykee and other Black birdwatchers to create Black Birders Week, an event that celebrates diversity in birdwatching and challenges the stereotypes and racial injustices that still exist in outdoor activities. Tykee views the week as a celebration of joy, resilience, and diverse experiences within the Black community. Tykee shares how his experiences with urban birding as a teen exposed him to community connections and the stark realities of racial and environmental injustices. These observations led him to co-found Amplify for the Future and become the president of the DC chapter of the Audubon Society. Tykee is currently part of a campaign to rename the Audubon Society to better reflect its values, acknowledging its historical context. The theme for the 2024 Black Birders Week is "Wings of Justice: Soaring for Change," and it is hosted by Black AF in Stem. You can hear a longer version of Tykee's interview on Episode 59 of Citizens Climate Radio.  Reviews and Recommendations In this segment of the Quakers Today podcast, Miche McCall and Peterson Toscano delve into recent book reviews from Friends Journal. Peterson shares his enthusiasm for Ruth Todd's new book Exploring Isaac Penington: Seventeenth-Century Quaker Mystic, Teacher and Activist. He highlights Penington's influential role in early Quakerism and his spiritually led writings, noting Todd's unique approach, including metaphors from nature and experiential exercises for readers. Miche shares their intrigue with Altar to an Erupting Son by Chuck Collins, a novel that challenges notions of pacifism through its provocative opening scene and subsequent exploration of the impact of violence. This leads to a broader discussion on pacifism and activism within the context of creating a better world. Additionally, Peterson is curious about Daybreak, a cooperative board game focused on climate change solutions, emphasizing the game's community-building aspect and eco-friendly design. Miche shares their recommendation of the Headspace app's Sleepcasts, particularly those with a Star Wars theme, highlighting their effectiveness in aiding relaxation and sleep. Find more reviews at Friends Journal online.  Question for next month When you walk into a new space, what do you see, hear, or experience that makes you feel welcome? What might be present that leads you to conclude you may not be welcome? The space may be a library, a place of worship, or someone's home. It might be a town, a business, or a school.  Leave a voice memo with your name and the town where you live. The number to call is 317-QUAKERS, that's 317-782-5377. +1 if calling from outside the U.S. You can also send an email: podcast @ friendsjournal.org Quakers Today is the companion podcast to Friends Journal and other Friends Publishing Corporation (FPC) content online. It is written, hosted, and produced by Peterson Toscano and Miche McCall. Season Three of Quakers Today is sponsored by American Friends Service Committee.  Do you want to challenge unjust systems and promote lasting peace? The American Friends Service Committee, or AFSC, works with communities worldwide to drive social change. Their website features meaningful steps you can take to make a difference. Through their Friends Liaison Program, you can connect your meeting or church with AFSC and their justice campaigns. Find out how you can become part of AFSC's global community of changemakers.  Feel free to send comments, questions, and requests for our new show. Email us at podcast@friendsjournal.org. Call our listener voicemail line: 317-QUAKERS. Music from this episode comes from Epidemic Sound.

Episode Content Warning: Natural disasters; home/family/community devastation; sound effects of home destruction; brief discussion around family death and pet injury Herpetologist, artist and graduate student from the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Caribbean: Chelsea Connor joins the podcast on this ALL EARS FRIENDLY episode with a story of a community surviving the storm of Hurricane Maria. Chelsea has worked on the diet overlap between the native and invasive species of anole on my home island as an undergrad and I am excited to continue her work as a grad student looking at Caribbean biogeography and Lesser Antillean reptiles. Chelsea is one of the co-founding members of BlackBirdersWeek with BlackAFinSTEM. Learn about anoles by following the hashtag "#DidYouAnole?" on Twitter. Join the Patreon at Patreon.com/WeOutHerePod Twitter https://twitter.com/TheWeOutHerePod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/TheWeOutHerePod/ Start learning about whose land you're on to begin taking action by visiting https://native-land.ca/ Aid the Recovery of Native Hawaiian Communities in Maui by donating at https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpmauirise How to Prepare for Hurricanes NOAA.gov/hurricane-prep --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/weoutherepod/message

We chat with Danielle Belleny about birding, writing books, and including people of color in wildlife management in this episode.  Learn about birding in cemeteries, Black Birders Week, and more! Email us at wildpodcast@tamuk.edu For more information: https://www.audubon.org/black-birders-week https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/danielle-belleny/this-is-a-book-for-people-who-love-birds/9780762475971/?lens=running-press https://www.ckwri.tamuk.edu/media/talk-wild-side-podcast   https://www.rotarycc.com/harvey-weil/

For her PhD, Lauren Pharr took on a challenge: studying Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, which make their nests high in pine trees. But as a Black woman working as a field biologist in the rural South, Lauren says she faces higher levels of risk than her white colleagues. Lauren co-founded an organization called Field Inclusive that raises awareness about how to promote the safety of people from marginalized backgrounds in the field.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Harriet Tubman was a heroic abolitionist in the cause to end chattel slavery. She was also an excellent astronomer and naturalist — and an expert birder. She mastered the hoot of the Barred Owl, using it as a signal throughout the Underground Railroad to let freedom seekers know she had arrived.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

When Adé Ben-Salahuddin stopped to help a trapped young bird on his way home from work, he found an unexpected source of help: an older Black woman walking by who had just the skills for the problem at hand.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

The Red-winged Blackbird is the theme bird for this year's Black Birders Week. Deja Perkins, who helps organize the event, introduces us to this species and what the bird represents to her and to Black Birders Week. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

In 2020, the first Black Birders Week celebrated the contributions of Black birders and called for greater inclusivity in the outdoors. Later that summer, the first Black Botanists Week premiered. Georgia Silvera Seamans, an urban forester, helped organize the event. Now in its third year, the week helps foster a community of Black people passionate about plants and highlights the importance of making green spaces accessible to everyone. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.