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Sofia Barboza on Becoming More Aware of Birds
Developing a stronger bond with birds in the middle of Manhattan
© Sofia Barboza
When climate scientist Sofia Barboza was living in New York City, she found it challenging to connect with the outdoors the same way she had growing up in Pennsylvania. Returning to live in Pennsylvania as an adult, Sofia brought along her new awareness of birds and their effects on mental health.
This week is Latino Conservation Week. Learn more about the week’s events and how you can participate here.
BirdNote®
Sofia Barboza on Becoming More Aware of Birds
Written by Conor Gearin
This is BirdNote.
When climate scientist Sofia Barboza was living in New York City, she found it challenging to connect with the outdoors the same way she had growing up in Pennsylvania.
Sofia Barboza: But luckily I was living like a 10 minute walk from Central Park and a 10 minute walk from Morningside Park. So that was really my refuge.
[Mallard calls, ML552177511]
Sofia Barboza: And so what I saw, really, was birds — ducks or geese. There were these ducks that would come sit in the grass and, like, cuddle together.
[Mallard calls, ML552177511]
Sofia Barboza: I would just sit there and observe, and it just brought me so much peace amidst the bustle of the city. That's kind of when I started appreciating birds a bit more.
When she later returned to live in Pennsylvania, Sofia brought her new awareness of birds with her.
Sofia Barboza: I'm just having an ear for them more now. And instead of like, oh, birds are singing, I feel like I can kind of hear that there's different species.
[Pine Warbler song with other birds in the background, ML619140063]
Sofia Barboza: I think before, I never really gave it too much attention. So I've been really enjoying that, and also like learning about the psychological benefits of it — that birds sing when there aren't predators around. So we've learned that it creates a peaceful and safe feeling for humans as well.
It’s Latino Conservation Week. Learn more on our website, BirdNote dot org. I’m Jonese Franklin.
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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. Mallard ML552177511 recorded by James Rensen, and Pine Warbler ML619140063 recorded by Andrew Spencer.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2024 BirdNote September 2024
Narrator: Jonese Franklin
ID# BarbozaS-2024-09-19 BarbozaS-01
Jonese Franklin
Narrator