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Black Birders Week

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Black Birders Week
TypeEnvironmental
SignificanceIncrease the visibility of Black birders
EndsFirst week of June
DateLast week of May
FrequencyAnnual

Black Birders Week is a week-long series of online events to highlight black nature enthusiasts and to increase the visibility of black birders, who face unique challenges and dangers when they are engaged in outdoor activities.[1] The event was created as a response to the Central Park birdwatching incident and police brutality against Black Americans. The inaugural event ran from May 31 to June 5, 2020. The week of events was organized by a group of STEM professionals and students known as the BlackAFinSTEM Collective.[2]

Origin

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Black Birders Week was announced on Twitter on May 29, 2020.[3][1] The initiative was prompted in part by the Central Park birdwatching incident and the murders of African Americans such as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd.[4][5][6] According to co-founder Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, the goal of the initiative is "normalizing the fact that Black people exist in the birding and natural sciences community".[7] Black people have historically been excluded from academic and professional spaces and lack visibility and representation in the natural sciences community and among birders in particular.[7][8]

The week-long event was conceived and organized by members of a group of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals and students known as BlackAFinSTEM collective. In addition to Opoku-Agyeman, other co-founders include Jason Ward, Sheridan Alford, Danielle Belleny, Chelsea Connor, Joseph Saunders, Kassandra Ford, Armand Cann, Nicole Jackson, Corina Newsome and Tykee James.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

History

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The first event series ran in 2020 from May 31 to June 5 using the #BlackBirdersWeek hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. Through these events and others, the series highlighted research carried out by Black birders, the happiness they find in nature, the racism experienced, and the importance of inclusivity in the outdoors.[17] Furthermore, the series drew attention to several Black birders and naturalists, including Birds of North America's host Jason Ward, wildlife biologist J. Drew Lanham, wildlife conservationist Corina Newsome, National Audubon Society's government affairs coordinator Tykee James, and herpetologist Earyn McGee.[18][19] The series was endorsed and promoted by advocacy groups, conservation organizations, and government agencies including: the National Audubon Society,[20] the American Birding Association,[21] the American Bird Conservancy,[22][23] the US National Park Service,[24] and the Ecological Society of America.[25] Additionally, it garnered attention from various science and mainstream media outlets.

Co-organizer Corina Newsome with Tony, a hyacinth macaw, in 2017

In 2021, the week was continued.[26][27][28]

In 2022, Black Birders Week was continued. The Smithsonian Institution hosted several programs to support the week's effort to increasing representation in bird watching communities.[29] The National Museum of Natural History hosted a panel with Chelsea Connor, Lynette Strickland and Amelia-Juliette Demery with opening remarks by Dara M. Wilson.[29]

Both institutions continued holding Black Birders Week events in 2023.[30] In New Hampshire, for example, the event continued previous years' focuses on nature awareness, accessibility, and equity.[31] Events continued in 2024.[32]

Response

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In response to the 2020 series, the National Wildlife Federation planned to dedicate part of their Conservation Fellowship and Intern Programs[33] to young biologists of color.[34] The organisers intend to continue the series in future years.[4] The event also inspired other similar week-long events celebrating Black people in various STEM fields, #BlackInAstro week, #BlackBotanistsWeek, #BlackInNeuro, and #BlackInChem.[35][36]

References

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  1. ^ a b Mock, Jillian (June 1, 2020). "'Black Birders Week' Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors". Audubon Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  2. ^ O'Toole, Hillarie (Fall 2020). "#BlackBirdersWeek: Listen, Learn, and Act" (PDF). The Urban Audubon. XLI: 8.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Coming to your screens May 31st - June 5th #BlackBirdersWeek organised by #BlackAFinSTEM". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-05-30. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Sloat, Sarah (2 June 2020). "Black Birders Week responds to racism with a celebration of Black naturalists". Inverse. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  5. ^ Froelich, Paula (June 6, 2020). "Viral video of Central Park 'Karen' Amy Cooper spawns #BlackBirdersWeek". New York Post. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  6. ^ Qaiser, Farah (June 2020). "#BlackBirdersWeek highlights Black nature enthusiasts and scientists". Massive Science. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Willingham, AJ (3 June 2020). "These Black nature lovers are busting stereotypes, one cool bird at a time". CNN. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Kormann, Carolyn (19 June 2020). "Corina Newsome and the Black Birders Movement". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  9. ^ "What is #BlackBirdersWeek and why does it matter". Earth Touch News Network. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "BlackAFinSTEM". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-05. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  11. ^ Kutz, Cat. "#BlackBirdersWeek: Celebrating and Encouraging Diversity in Conservation". www.smithsonianmag.com. Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-06-05. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  12. ^ Lambert, Jonathan (June 4, 2020). "A #BlackBirdersWeek cofounder aims to amplify black nature enthusiasts". Science News. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  13. ^ International, Living on Earth / World Media Foundation / Public Radio. "Living on Earth: #BlackBirdersWeek". Living on Earth. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  14. ^ Berman, Ali (2020-06-29). "Reflections from Black Birders Week: Birding, Racism, and Inclusion in the Outdoors". Portland Audubon. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  15. ^ "Nicole Jackson | Bird Academy • The Cornell Lab". academy.allaboutbirds.org. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  16. ^ Hou, Kathleen (2020-06-04). "Black Birding Is About Hope". The Cut. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  17. ^ Thompson, Andrea. "Black Birders Call Out Racism, Say Nature Should Be For Everyone". Scientific American. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  18. ^ "Black birders week". insidehighered.com. 5 June 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "Black Birdwatchers Face Racism Too". Voice of America. 5 June 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  20. ^ Mock, Jillian (June 1, 2020). "'Black Birders Week' Promotes Diversity and Takes on Racism in the Outdoors". Audubon Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  21. ^ "This is an amazing initiative. Please follow, support, and spread the word about #BlackBirdersWeek". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-05-29. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  22. ^ "American Bird Conservancy is proudly supporting the inaugural #BlackBirdersWeek this week. It's not too late to follow the hashtags to celebrate and support the diversity of all those who enjoy birds". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  23. ^ Mendenhall, Matt (2020-06-03). "#BlackBirdersWeek Aims to Raise Awareness, Grow Community". American Bird Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2020-06-13. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  24. ^ Willingham, AJ (3 June 2020). "These Black nature lovers are busting stereotypes, one cool bird at a time". CNN. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  25. ^ "It's #BlackBirdersWeek and today's Q&A day!". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-02. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  26. ^ "Black Birders Week 2021 Schedule". Black AF In STEM. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  27. ^ "Black Birders Week | BirdNote". www.birdnote.org. 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  28. ^ "Black Birders Week 2021". Audubon. Archived from the original on 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  29. ^ a b Tamisiea, Jack (4 May 2022). "Celebrate Black Birders Week and More Natural History Programs This May". www.smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  30. ^ "Black Birders Week STEM Day 2023". National Museum of African American History and Culture. 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  31. ^ Barndollar, Hadley (May 30, 2023). "NH marks Black Birders Week, and organizers aim to educate about lived experiences". New Hampshire Public Radio. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  32. ^ Bayles, Tom (2024-05-28). "Black Birders Week exploring culture, community, environment". WUSF. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  33. ^ "Fellowships - EcoLeaders". National Wildlife Federation. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  34. ^ "#BecauseOfBlackBirdersWeek, the National Wildlife Federation is expanding its Conservation Fellowship". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  35. ^ "Black In Neuro Week is coming to a timeline near you". The British Neuroscience Association. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  36. ^ Mallenbaum, Carly. "#BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackInNeuro: Black scientists, physicians are using hashtags to uplift". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
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