Podcast Summary
Discovering Unexpected Bird Encounters: Bird enthusiast Daja Perkins shares her passion for various species, inspiring the host to appreciate birds in her own backyard and the importance of observing their gathering behavior, known as a 'kettle', where turkey and black vultures can fly together.
The BBC provides valuable information and inspiration through storytelling, encouraging listeners to think deeply about the world around them. During an interview with birder and researcher Daja Perkins, the host Ritu Chatterjee shared some intriguing insights that didn't make it into the episode. Daja, who has a passion for birds, mentioned her favorite species, including sandhill cranes, pileated woodpeckers, and an initial encounter with the latter in rural Minnesota. This sparked the host's curiosity, leading her to discover that she had been hearing pileated woodpeckers in her own backyard in Virginia. Another fascinating tidbit from their conversation was Daja's explanation of vultures and their gathering behavior, known as a "kettle." She noted that both turkey and black vultures can form a mixed kettle when they fly together. Although the host is more of a bird feeder watcher than an avid birder, she was inspired by Daja's philosophy to appreciate birds wherever they are found. So, whether you're in a dense city or the heart of the woods, take a moment to enjoy the beauty and wonder of birds in your life.
Celebrating Black Connection to Nature: Blackbirders' Week shifted from safety concerns to a joyful celebration of nature, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of birdwatching and the importance of embracing the natural world.
Blackbirders' Week, an annual event celebrating black connection to nature, transitioned from a response to safety concerns to a celebration of joy and appreciation for the outdoors in its second year. Daja Perkins, one of the organizers, shares her personal journey from a curious observer to an urban ecologist and birder. Her favorite bird, the barred owl, is a daytime creature with a distinctive call, making it an intriguing subject for birdwatching. Tayshia emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of birdwatching during the pandemic, encouraging focus and observation, which can lead to a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Overall, Blackbirders' Week highlights the importance of embracing nature and finding joy in observation, no matter where you live.
Apple Card rewards and Blackbirders Week joy: Apple Card rewards up to 3% daily cash on purchases, while Blackbirders Week celebrates joy in birding community, offering memorable experiences
Apple Card offers daily cash rewards of up to 3% on various purchases, with different percentage rates for purchases made at Apple, with Apple Pay, and with physical or virtual cards. The organizer of Blackbirders Week, an event celebrating the joy of birding in the Black community, shared her pride in the event's reach and focus on joy during its second year. As a participant and urban ecologist, she led an all-BIPOC bird walk in her hometown for the first time, creating a memorable experience. The Apple Card rewards program and the joyful Blackbirders Week event showcase the potential for everyday experiences and community connections to bring pleasure and financial benefits.
Bringing People Together Through Bird Watching: The first Black Birders Week event brought individuals together online and in person, forming a diverse community spanning generations and locations. However, safety concerns, including those related to race, were addressed through the SafeInNatureDay initiative.
Technology can bring people together in meaningful ways, even around shared passions like bird watching. The first Black Birders Week event was a powerful example of this, as it allowed individuals to connect online and then in person, forming a community that spanned generations and geographic locations. However, the outdoor experience also comes with various safety concerns, not just from the environment but also from other people. These issues, particularly those related to race, were highlighted during last year's event and addressed through the SafeInNatureDay initiative. Overall, the event showcased the importance of creating safe spaces for diverse communities to connect through nature and shared interests.
Discussing safety and inclusion in outdoor spaces, particularly for women and underrepresented communities: Emphasizing the importance of safety, inclusion, and conservation in urban outdoor spaces for everyone, including women and underrepresented communities, and recognizing the value of urban environments for wildlife and climate change mitigation.
Ensuring safety and inclusion in outdoor spaces, particularly for women and underrepresented communities, is crucial for everyone involved. This was emphasized in a discussion about the experiences of harassment in the outdoors and the responsibility of institutions and organizations to address this issue. Deja, an urban ecologist, shared her experience of mapping birds in urban areas through her master's project in North Carolina. This work is essential as cities are important habitats for birds during migration and year-round residency. By focusing on urban conservation, we can protect wildlife and contribute to addressing climate change through increasing tree cover. Overall, it's important to recognize the value of urban environments and prioritize safety, inclusion, and conservation in these spaces.
Historical practices impact urban environments, affecting birds and people: Historical practices like redlining led to less tree cover and fewer native species in marginalized communities, contributing to urban heat and negatively impacting birds and people. Green spaces provide a 'biological luxury effect' and it's essential to recognize their value in creating inclusive and equitable cities.
Historical practices like redlining, which were used to limit minority home ownership in the past, continue to impact urban environments today. Redlined areas, which are predominantly inhabited by Black and other marginalized communities, have less tree cover and fewer native species due to lack of green spaces. This not only negatively affects birds but also contributes to urban heat, which can be detrimental to both birds and people. Urban heat islands, caused by the absence of trees and green spaces, can lead to higher temperatures, making cities hotter and less habitable. Moreover, higher-income areas, which have more green spaces, enjoy a "biological luxury effect," having higher species diversity. Blackbirders Week, an initiative to inspire the next generation of bird enthusiasts, emphasizes the importance of connecting with birds in all neighborhoods and highlights the various ways people can enjoy them. It's crucial to recognize the value of green spaces in urban environments for both birds and people as we work towards creating more inclusive and equitable cities.
Insights for businesses and investors: EasyCater simplifies food management for businesses with a vast restaurant network and budgeting tools, while The Bid by BlackRock offers market insights from industry leaders for retirement planning and understanding global capital markets
Both EasyCater and BlackRock's The Bid podcast offer valuable insights for different audiences. EasyCater, a corporate catering solution, simplifies food management for businesses of all sizes with its extensive network of over 100,000 restaurants and budgeting tools. On the other hand, The Bid by BlackRock provides investors with market insights from industry thought leaders, addressing challenges related to retirement and the role of global capital markets in finding solutions. Larry Fink, BlackRock's CEO, discusses these issues in the latest episode. Overall, these resources offer practical solutions for businesses and investors looking to streamline their operations and make informed decisions.
