It's Time to Build a Truly Inclusive Outdoors
Field NotesAs the nation continues to confront racism, the birding community must embrace difficult conversations.
The kick off to summer in the Northern Hemisphere also brings the second annual #BlackBirdersWeek from Sunday, May 30 to Saturday, June 5, organized by The BlackAFInSTEM Collective – a collective that “seeks to support, uplift, and amplify Black Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics professionals in natural resources and the environment through professional development, career connection, and community engagement.” According to the organizers, “This year’s event will showcase the many unique ways Black people connect in the outdoors.”
While not an official organizer, Audubon is proud to be a partner of #BlackBirdersWeek2021. Audubon will Facebook livestream the #SafeInNature discussion with Monique Pipkin, M.S. and Dr. Amelia Demery, M.S. on fieldwork safety on Thursday, June 3, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET.
We encourage the Audubon network and birders everywhere to support the trailblazing work of the @BlackAFInSTEM organizers, uplift Black professionals and voices shared via the hashtag #BlackBirdersWeek2021, and learn more about the Black experience in STEM, the outdoors, and in the birding community. Follow along, share, and engage with content the daily themes of #BlackBirdersWeek2021 outlined in the official flyer below. To support the organizers and the movement, follow the handles and websites below and consider other Black-led organizations to support during the week and beyond:
Twitter: @BlackAFInSTEM
Instagram: @BlackAFInSTEM
Facebook: @BlackAFInSTEM
Website: BlackAFInSTEM.com
Black-led organizations to consider supporting:
As an organization, Audubon has a lot of work to do to ensure Black individuals and the Black community are respected, honored and valued within our own house and in the birding community. (Audubon Board Addresses Workplace Culture.) We are dedicating this time to reflect, to humble ourselves, and to elevate the voices, perspectives and experiences of the Black community. This requires a culture shift within the organization well beyond this week – the work is ongoing. We are committed to building a workplace environment that is respectful and kind and where Black, Indigenous, people of color, women and everyone across the gender spectrum are respected for their expertise and valued as human beings with multi-layered experiences who enrich our work.
Find events throughout the Audubon network to celebrate #BlackBirdersWeek2021 on the Audubon events page. (These events are independent and not official @BlackAFInSTEM events.)
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