Linking Birds and People of Color in February

I reported last week that February is National Bird Feeding Month. When I think about February, however, I usually think of it as African American History Month. This month-long celebration of African Americans has been happening in the United States since 1976 (and its predecessor, Negro History Week, started way back in 1926). I remember it being a big part of our curriculum when I was in elementary school. Thanks to African American History Month, I had my first taste of peanut soup as a 4th grader when our school cafeteria made it in honor of George Washington Carver.

Thinking about February as National Bird Feeding Month and African American History Month reminded me of an intriguing book I read last year, Birding for Everyone: Encouraging People of Color to Become Birdwatchers by John C. Robinson. Robinson's research showed a very disproportionate nonparticipation of African Americans in birdwatching activities. One of the big reasons for this pattern he found was what he called a "don't loop": if you don't meet others who are involved in birdwatching (or any other activity), it is not likely that you will take interest yourself. Being introduced to birding by a friend or family member is what usually gets people involved in birdwatching. He found that few African Americans hold membership in birding clubs and conservation organizations.

I am proud to say that we have a couple of Master Naturalist chapters making headway on reaching people of color with their nature education programs. For example, the Riverine Chapter partners with the Richmond Audubon Society on the RAS Kids program, designed to give inner-city youth outdoor experiences. The Arlington Regional Chapter is partnering with a local nature center on a roving naturalist program that takes nature exhibits to soccer games and other locations in the parks where minority populations gather on the weekends. They have recruited bilingual Master Naturalist volunteers to translate materials and serve as roving naturalists in an effort to reach Spanish-speaking populations.

Even more powerful, though, would be making personal connections. With both of these month-long celebrations, what better time than February to invite someone new to birdwatching to join you at a bird club meeting, a Master Naturalist event, a Great Backyard Bird Count, or just on a bird walk around your neighborhood? Read Birding for Everyone, and pass along your copy to a person of color who might like to get involved in birdwatching. The first half of the book is an introductory birding manual, with information on bird ID, binoculars, and Robinson's own personal story on how he became a birder. If this topic interests you, I also recommend Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places by Dudley Edmondson.