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Black Birders Week 2024
Learn more about BirdNote's content for this year's Black Birders Week
© Black AF in STEM
The fifth annual Black Birders Week will take place on May 26th to June 1st. The event's organizers explain that the week "celebrates Black birders, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts, highlighting their contributions to the natural world and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the birding community." This year's theme is "Wings of Justice: Soaring for Change," which will put the week's focus on environmental justice and the many points of connection between birds and people. Learn more about the week's events and how to participate here. Below, find info about shows co-produced by Black Birders Week organizers and BirdNote, as well as a virtual event and a blog post.
Virtual Event: Heat Islands and Summer Birding
Join BirdNote and Black AF in STEM on Tuesday, May 28th at 12pm PST/3pm EST for a special Black Birders Week Virtual Event on Heat Islands and Summer Birding. The event will shed light on crucial aspects of urban bird and wildlife conservation against the backdrop of summer birding and rising temperatures. Moderated by Dara Miles Wilson, panelists Nicole Jackson, Ela Carpenter, Ph.D and Sharon Dorsey will discuss the impacts of heat island effect on both birds and people in urban environments and the need to safeguard urban wildlife refuges, feeding changes in birds and the importance of water during the summertime, along with safe birding in the summer and how to best take care of ourselves and birds as temperatures continue to rise.
Black Birders Week on BirdNote Daily
Listen to a week of shows co-produced by Black Birders Week organizers and BirdNote!
Sunday, May 26th: "Introducing Black Birders Week 2024" by Nicole Jackson and Emma Brittain
In this episode, Nicole Jackson and Emma Brittain announce the fifth year of Black Birders Week, introduce the event's theme, and preview what's in store for the week on BirdNote.
Monday, May 27th: "If Someone Calls You 'Birdbrain,' Say Thanks" by Lola Neal
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.
Tuesday, May 28th: "What the Niagara River Means to Birds and People" by Marcus Rosten
Naturalist Marcus Rosten highlights the history and the birdlife of the Niagara River Corridor, a biodiverse region that acted as a crossroads for Indigenous peoples and served as a crucial stop for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad.
Wednesday, May 29th: “The Robin Rescue,” by Adé Ben-Salahuddin
Adé Ben-Salahuddin reflects on an unexpected source of help when he was trying to save a trapped young robin.
Thursday, May 30th: "Spark Bird: Dara Wilson and the Blue-gray Tanager"
Dara Wilson shares how she learned a bird’s song by teaching people about it at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and how that knowledge took on a new meaning when she traveled to Panama.
Friday, May 31st: "Deja Perkins on Gaps in Bird Observations"
For her PhD, Deja Perkins is studying datasets generated by the public, also known as participatory science projects. However, these projects do not represent all areas well, because the current participants are predominantly white and affluent. Read Deja's full Q&A with BirdNote in a blog post.
Saturday, June 1st: "The African American Heritage Water Trail" by Lillian Holden
Lillian Holden 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 and includes sites linked to the Underground Railroad, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the environmental justice movement.