Celebrating the 2024 Birdability Interns
We are so excited about the Birdability Internship Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of national parks for birding enthusiasts of all abilities. Birdability, in collaboration with Environment for the Americas, has created this internship with the National Park Service to foster a more inclusive and accessible environment in our natural spaces. Here, we introduce you to our dedicated interns, who are making significant contributions to this mission through their passion and hard work. They have been busy creating accessible programming at the National Park where they are working, and have held or are holding soon, World Migratory Bird Day events, focused on accessible events for folks with disabilities and other health concerns.
Meet the Interns
Shane from Massachusetts
Shane (he/him) is a recent graduate from Westfield State University. He loves dirt bikes and woodworking, and is excited about "making National Parks and birding more accessible." Shane is working at Saugus Iron Works and Salem Maritime National Historic Sites and coordinated the World Migratory Bird Day Celebration held at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site a few weeks ago that brought together bird enthusiasts, a group of students from the Carroll Center for The Blind, and the general public to celebrate the beauty and importance of migratory birds along with conservation of local species.
Birdability Intern, Shane, with participants from Perkins School for the Blind, at the World Migratory Bird Day event held May 11, 2024 at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Salem, MA. The participants used a tactile map of the geography of the park as well as 3D tactile bird models in their event.
Macy DeGraw from Utah
Currently based in Washington, D.C., Macy (she/her) is passionate about promoting inclusivity, especially for the Deaf and Disabled communities. She shares, “Being Deaf myself, I’m keen on finding ways to amplify voices and ensure equal opportunities for all. Additionally, I’ve developed a fascination for the avian wonders of Washington D.C. and am eager to learn more about the diverse bird species that inhabit this city.” She finds inspiration in her surroundings and is a student at Gallaudet majoring in Biology. Reflecting on her first four weeks, Macy shared, "I have learned how to advocate and innovate ideas for people who have a disability... the hard work makes it worthwhile for that person's accessible experience." Macy’s work is happening at locations within the George Washington National Parkway NPS site!
Birdability Intern, Jordan, with George Washington Memorial Parkway NPS staff.
Jordan from Maryland
Jordan (she/her) is a bird enthusiast and a lover of comic books, video games, and cartoons. They are exploring Maryland’s birdlife at George Washington National Parkway sites and sharing their adventures. Jordan brings a unique perspective, blending various interests to make birding enjoyable and accessible.
Mo from California
Mo (they/them) is interning at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, located on the ancestral and present-day land of the Coast Miwok, Graton Rancheria, and Ohlone people. A third-year undergrad at UC Berkeley studying Conservation and Resource Studies, Mo focuses on Restoration Ecology and Climate Change. Despite chronic pain making it challenging to access outdoor spaces, Mo is dedicated to "reducing accessibility barriers for disabled scientists and nature lovers." Recently, Mo shared their excitement: "I had the opportunity to visit Crissy Field, meet passionate individuals, and identify birds like the greater scaup and great egret. I can't wait to get to know this area and its species better."
Sam from Arizona
Sam (they/them), a junior at the University of Arizona studying public health and Arabic, is focused on making Saguaro National Park more accessible to neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities. With a background in aerospace and biosystems engineering, Sam is eager to grow personally and professionally while exploring the diverse bird species and natural beauty of Saguaro National Park and is excited to "learn more about the beautiful Saguaro National Park" and its diverse bird species.
Birdability Intern, Wooju, using a stroller mapping device to determine grade and slope of a trail at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, in order to provide detailed access information for an accessible bird outing that she and fellow intern, Mo, were planning at Crissy Field.
Wooju from California
Wooju (she/her) recently visited Crissy Field at Golden Gate National Recreation Area with fellow intern Mo to assess the site's accessibility for World Migratory Bird Day. Wooju shared, "At first, it was really hard to focus on birds, but eventually, Mo and I successfully ID'd a couple of birds. Observing our site supervisor, Richard, was special. His attention to detail and passion for accessibility were truly inspiring." Wooju and Mo had an opportunity to reflect on a conversation with Birdability community member and mentor, Paul Miller, a disabled birder, who said, “If you see a bird, it’s a pretty bird.” This simple yet profound statement highlights that birding is about enjoying the moment and not just identifying birds.
These interns share our mission to make birding accessible and inclusive for everyone. Through their efforts, they are enhancing the accessibility of national parks and promoting the joy of birding to a broader audience. Join us in celebrating their work and supporting their journey as they contribute to a more inclusive birding community.
For more information about the Birdability Internship Program and to read more from our interns, visit the Environment for the America’s Blog.
Birdability and Environment for the America’s staff meeting with the Birdability Interns as they learned from Birdability Captain, Kalina, during our weekly webinar.
