The importance of Black Americans in conservation and environmentalism is GREATLY underrepresented and it requires some digging to learn about the significant past and current Black contributors and advocates of birding, conservation, and environmental justice.
As part of its mission, CAS is committed to increasing diversity in birding and conservation locally. To accomplish this, we are building a resource catalogue of important diverse voices for birding and conservation, including Black authors, advocates and social media influencers. We’ll be adding to this catalogue regularly, so follow us on social media or check our home page for updates.
Another important initiative in increasing diversity in birding is through our Birdwalk Leader Training. (Look for this again next year.)
Video Presentations
CAS hosted Jaeda Branch, Deja Perkins and Audrey Peterman - here are videos of their fascinating presentations.
The Making of the Douglass Park Bird-themed Mini-golf Course, Jaeda Branch
Jaeda Branch, Community Programs Lead, Lincoln Park Zoo discusses working with local artists and the community around Douglass Park to create a mini-golf course for all ages that inspires conservation through play.
Books
In 2020, CAS hosted a Racial Equity book Club, starting with The Home Place by Drew Lanham, which was highly recommended by all participants. We followed it up with White Spaces, Black Faces by Carolyn Finney.
We encourage you to purchase books from a Black-owned bookstore:
Semi-colon - 515 N Halsted St, Chicago
AALBC - a guide to Black-owned book stores in IL
Film/Video
Podcasts
Here are a few of our favorite podcasts that focus on Black birding.
Drew Lanham “I Worship Every Bird That I See” On Being with Krista Tippett
American Birding Association: #BlackBirdersWeek and its impact with Corina Newsome & Tykee James
Social Media
A few great follows have local ties: black.people.outside and kweenwerk