It's Time to Build a Truly Inclusive Outdoors
As the nation continues to confront racism, the birding community must embrace difficult conversations.
This year #BlackBirdersWeek is from Sunday, May 25 to Saturday, May 31, organized by The Black AF In STEM 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 theme is Grounded in Community. "This is a space where Black birders, scientists, and nature enthusiasts are not just participants but visionary leaders and changemakers, reshaping narratives and demanding equity in every arena."
This year's Black Birders Week Bird Theme is the Sparrow Family—resilient, adaptive, and thriving in connection. Like sparrows, we find power in community, lifting our voices together to transform the outdoors into spaces of belonging and liberation.
Often dismissed as "little brown birds," sparrows symbolize adaptability and community—qualities that deeply resonate with the Black community. Just as sparrows are frequently overlooked in favor of more "charismatic" species, Black birders have historically been underrepresented in environmental and naturalist spaces.
Sparrows represent the theme “Grounded in Community” emphasizing the shared need for visibility, respect, and action for both sparrows and the Black community. Through storytelling, education, and community building, the theme seeks to foster a deeper connection to nature and a more inclusive birding community, celebrating the vital contributions of both sparrows and Black birders to the future of conservation.
The National Audubon Society is proud to support #BlackBirdersWeek2025. Audubon encourages its network and birders everywhere to support the trailblazing work of the @BlackAFInSTEM Collective, uplift Black professionals and voices shared via the hashtags #BlackBirdersWeek and #BlackBirdersWeek2025, and learn more about the Black experience in STEM, the outdoors, and the birding community.
And don't forget to follow along, share, and engage with content through the daily themes outlined in the official flyer. To support the organizers and the movement, follow the handles and websites below:
Bluesky: @blackafinstem.bsky.social
Instagram: @BlackAFInSTEM
Facebook: @BlackAFInSTEM
Website: BlackAFInSTEM.com
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