Join BirdNote tomorrow, November 30th!
Illustrator David Sibley and actor H. Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction!
Every bird has a journey, and so do the people who help protect them.
On May 26th, BirdNote and Black AF in STEM hosted a special conversation with passionate volunteers who shared what it looks like to show up for birds. From dimming city lights during migration to monitoring nests and tracking seasonal movements, these conservationists are making a real impact, and in this talk, they dived deep into how you can, too.
They explored these topics and shared more about how anyone can get involved, including efforts such as:
- Lights Out Campaign – helping migratory birds navigate safely through city lights
- Window collision monitoring or recovery – documenting or rescuing birds after building strikes
- Nest Watch – tracking nesting success and fledgling rates
- Project FeederWatch – counting winter birds at your backyard feeder
- Migration tracking – monitoring the movements of birds during spring or fall migration
Hear their stories and walk away with real ways to take action and become part of something bigger!
About our Panelists
Jayshaun Talbert
Jayshaun Talbert (He/him) is an undergraduate student studying Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University. He's been interested in animals before he could remember and fell into loving birds in his late teens. He's had the privilege of being a part of several avian projects ranging from seabirds, raptors, songbirds, sage-grouse and more! In fact, he's currently doing an undergraduate thesis studying Northern Saw-Whet Owl populations. His long-term career goal is to become a wildlife research biologist. When he's not doing anything wildlife-related, he enjoys adventuring with his friends, reading, watching tv shows, going to the gym, and dying hair.
Susanna Hermanns
Susanna is an educator, organizer, and bird lover. As an MA Candidate in Environmental Studies, her academic career focuses on the lives of the resident birds of southern Ontario and the effects of urban ecosystems on bird behaviour and distribution. Growing up working class and entering university through a non-traditional path, her first engagement with ornithology research came through citizen science. As a lifelong birder, she aims to share her journey and meanwhile help to overcome barriers to research for Black and working-class birders.
Nia Williams
Nia Williams is a D(M)V native, a writer, and an incoming veterinary student at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Her work centers on the intersection between the wellbeing of animals, the environment, and marginalized humans -- particularly in cities. She is a former staff member and volunteer of NYC's only wildlife hospital, and is passionate about bringing more kin folk into the animal and conservation fields.
Nicole Jackson (moderator)
Nicole Jackson (she/her) is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Education. A nature enthusiast, park advocate, and birder, she loves spending time outside and has a passion for getting people from underserved communities connected to the wonders of the natural world. Nicole currently works as a nature connection coach and environmental education consultant, helping both individuals and organizations develop inclusive programs that teach youth and families how to cultivate a healthy relationship with nature. She is also a member of the Black AF in STEM Collective, an organizer for the Black Birders Week Planning Team, and the founder of Black in National Parks Week.