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Lilli Holden on Birding with Students in Chicago
Seeing the history of segregation reflected in local environments
© Raed Mansour
Lilli Holden is an emerging environmental leader in Chicago. She visits local schools and leads students outside to see birds. Lilli says the students’ enthusiasm while birding is contagious. But while visiting various neighborhoods in Chicago, she sees stark differences in access to nature, tied to the history of segregation and divestment in Black communities. She says that people’s needs for viable forms of public green space should receive more attention going forward.
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Lilli Holden on Birding with Students in Chicago
Jonese Franklin: This is BirdNote.
[Chicago soundscape with birds]
Lilli Holden is an emerging environmental leader in Chicago. She visits local schools and leads students outside to see birds. Lilli says the students’ enthusiasm while birding is contagious.
Lilli Holden: The intention is to inspire advocates for nature at an early age through bird walks and outdoor exploration. I've had some really great experiences in the field, especially when we go outdoors walking, they just eat it up. It's just, it's lovely. I think the students cherish the moment a lot.
[Common Grackle calling and taking off]
But while visiting various neighborhoods in Chicago, she sees stark differences in access to nature. So while in Edison Park she sees large trees and yards with bird feeders—
Lilli Holden: In North Lawndale, there are a plethora of vacant lots, and it is severely lacking in tree canopy. It was just like, this is interesting. I wonder why.
Lilli says these differences are tied to the history of segregation and divestment in Black communities. She says that people’s needs for viable forms of public green space should receive more attention going forward.
Lilli Holden: Divestment is layered. It's not just public housing. It covers a myriad of public goods. There isn't always a conversation around access to nature being a public good. If more individuals had access and awareness of nature, they would have just more holistic wellness, for themselves and others.
Lilli also helps organize Black Birders Week. To learn how to participate in the week’s events, follow the hashtag Black Birders Week on social media and visit BirdNote dot org. I’m Jonese Franklin.
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Senior Producer: John Kessler
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Managing Editor: Jazzi Johnson
Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
Content Director: Jonese Franklin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Common Grackle ML224879931 recorded by Matthew D. Medler.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2023 BirdNote 2023
Narrator: Jonese Franklin
ID# holdenl-01-2023-06-02 holdenl-01
Jonese Franklin
Writer Narrator