IDEA: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. (The access part is important!)

This is what Birdability is all about, but we’re not alone! There are many other groups and organizations working on improving this in the birding community and the outdoors. They create safe spaces for people from often under-represented groups to enjoy nature and share the joys of birds.

‘A Good IDEA for Birding’ was the name of one of the panels held during Birdability Week 2021. We talked with representatives from some of these groups about what makes other birders, birding organizations and online birding communities more welcoming and inclusive for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and disabled birders. Check out their work and support them, and the other organizations and initiatives doing this work, below! It’s a Good IDEA for Birding!

If you’re part of a group working intentionally to support beginner birders, women birders, BIPOC birders, LGBTQIA+ birders, birders with disabilities and other health concerns, or another group of often overlooked and under-represented birders and would like to be included here, please contact us!

Anti-racist Collective of Avid Birders

The Anti-racist Collective of Avid Birders is an inclusive, progressive, intergenerational birding group based in so-called Western Massachusetts. We center and celebrate the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other birders of color; birders of all genders and sexual orientations; and birders with disabilities. Our work is dedicated to making the outdoors—and birding in particular— accessible and safe for people who find themselves under-represented or unacknowledged in traditional birding communities. Follow us on Instagram @antiracist.avid.birders

BIPOC Birding Club of WI logo.jpg

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

The BIPOC Birding Club of WI is a community of people of color who love the outdoors and the birds and beauty of natural Wisconsin and wish to connect with others who share the same passion. While the BIPOC Birding Club of WI seeks to promote outdoor birding activities and outdoor experiences for people of color, anyone who shares and supports our values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access for all are welcome to join this group. Check out our website, follow us on Instagram @bipocbirdingclubofwi and join our Facebook group.

Feminist Bird Club

With chapters across the US, the Feminist Bird Club holds bird outings specifically to create safe spaces for women, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ birders. We also fundraise to support social justice organizations. Our goal is two-fold: Make birding and the outdoors inclusive and affirming to people who may not have safe access to it, and leverage people’s passion for the environment and social justice to help create lasting social change. More simply put: There is no reason why we can’t celebrate birds and support our most cherished beliefs in equity and justice at the same time. For us, it’s not either/or. Check out our website and follow us on Instagram @feministbirdclub

Philly Queer Birders

Philly Queer Birders started in March 2021 as a way to create queer community, learn about our feathered friends, and explore all the great birding that Philadelphia has to offer. We welcome all skill levels, even if you have never been birding before! It's important to create LGBTQIA+ spaces in the outdoors and we strive to make Philly Queer Birders welcoming, accessible, and fun for all those who appreciate birds. Check out our website and follow on Instagram @phillyqueerbirders

Urban Bird Collective

The Urban Birders Collective was started to support birders of all different skill levels in leading walks in our own neighborhoods in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. We are working to create safe and welcoming spaces for all communities to come out and explore birding, including Native Americans, People of Color, immigrants, the LGBT communities and more. Check out our website and join our Facebook group!

More organizations and initiatives to support

These efforts are working specifically towards inclusion, diversity, equity and access in birding and the outdoors. This is the list of groups and resources shared in the chat during the panel.

Folks you can go birding with:

  • Flock Together: Hold bird outings and classes for People of Color in the US and the UK. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram @flocktogether.world

  • In Color Birding Club: Hold bird outings in Philadelphia, PA for BIPOC birders and their allies. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram @incolorbirdingclub

  • Latino Outdoors: Hold outdoor events for Latinx folks across the US. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram @latinooutdoors

  • Outdoor Afro: Hold outdoor events for Black folks across the US. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram at @outdoorafro

  • Outdoor Asian: Hold outdoor events for Asian and Pacific Islander folks across the US. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram at @outdoorasian

More groups to support:

  • Black AF in STEM: The creators of #BlackBirdersWeek. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram @blackafinstem

  • Amplify the Future: Run the Black and Latinx Scholarship Fund and Freedom Birders. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram @amplifythefuture and @freedombirders

  • Bird Names for Birds: Encouraging the American Ornithological Society to change common English bird names, especially those that are named after (often white, racist) people. Check out their website and follow them on Instagram @birdnames4birds

  • The Galbatross Project/Female Bird Day: Encouraging birders, conservation organizations and research scientists to pay more attention to female birds. Check out their website.

  • Always Be Birdin’ podcast: Amplifies the experiences of BIPOC birders. Check out their website and subscribe to their podcast, and follow them on Instagram @alwaysbebirdin

More resources mentioned during the panel