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Home For Birders For Teachers Fledging Birders Challenge Programs
| Bringing the joy AND BENEFITS of birding to our youth - to promote their healthy development and bird conservation. |
| Fledging Birders Institute P.O. Box 1774 Bellmawr, NJ 08099 logo developed by aclogodesign@aol.com Osprey, Northern Cardinal, and Great Blue Heron images courtesy of www.scottelowitzphotography.com |
| A Focus on Diversity: Changing the Face of American Birding October 22, 2011 John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Philadelphia, PA |
Check out Blair Underwood's Funny or Die clip to get a sense of what we're looking to
address at the conference! Of course, you could substitute "birder" for "hiker".
address at the conference! Of course, you could substitute "birder" for "hiker".
American birders have over 800 species to satisfy our bird watching desires. From our own
backyards to regional migrant traps to distant niche habitats, the subjects of our avocation can
be found just about anywhere at anytime. They range in size from the Calliope Hummingbird to
the American White Pelican. They can be as colorful as a Painted Bunting or as plain as Clay-
colored Sparrow. The diversity of our North American birds is one of the most compelling
factors that draws so many people to the increasingly popular hobby.
Yet, does our birding community itself reflect a similar diversity within its ranks?
The revered American melting pot has been stewing for generations. As of 2009, more than
35 percent of Americans fall into “non-White” categories such as Hispanic, African-American,
Asian, and Native-American. Yet, even generous measures of demographics show that “non-
Whites” comprise significantly less than 10 percent of the birding community. Clearly, birding
does not look like the rest of America. Such disproportionate homogeneity exacerbates
already problematic threats to the sustainability of the birding community, the birds’ habitat,
and, by extension, the birds themselves.
The purpose of the “Changing the Face of American Birding” conference is to initiate honest
and productive communication on the road to a more inclusive community. The conference will
discuss the current status of the birding community, examine factors that limit participation of
various demographic groups, and facilitate effective outreach to new birding audiences in an
effort to promote a broader appreciation of nature, a more effective bird education movement,
and a stronger public conservation ethic.
backyards to regional migrant traps to distant niche habitats, the subjects of our avocation can
be found just about anywhere at anytime. They range in size from the Calliope Hummingbird to
the American White Pelican. They can be as colorful as a Painted Bunting or as plain as Clay-
colored Sparrow. The diversity of our North American birds is one of the most compelling
factors that draws so many people to the increasingly popular hobby.
Yet, does our birding community itself reflect a similar diversity within its ranks?
The revered American melting pot has been stewing for generations. As of 2009, more than
35 percent of Americans fall into “non-White” categories such as Hispanic, African-American,
Asian, and Native-American. Yet, even generous measures of demographics show that “non-
Whites” comprise significantly less than 10 percent of the birding community. Clearly, birding
does not look like the rest of America. Such disproportionate homogeneity exacerbates
already problematic threats to the sustainability of the birding community, the birds’ habitat,
and, by extension, the birds themselves.
The purpose of the “Changing the Face of American Birding” conference is to initiate honest
and productive communication on the road to a more inclusive community. The conference will
discuss the current status of the birding community, examine factors that limit participation of
various demographic groups, and facilitate effective outreach to new birding audiences in an
effort to promote a broader appreciation of nature, a more effective bird education movement,
and a stronger public conservation ethic.