Podcast Summary
Celebrating Black Joy in Nature through Birdwatching: During the pandemic, birdwatching and nature have brought joy and relaxation to many, including Daja Perkins, who organizes Blackbirders' Week. This event celebrates black joy in nature and allows participants to connect with birds like the distinctive barred owl, providing a momentary escape from stress.
Nature and birdwatching have become valuable sources of joy and relaxation during the pandemic for many people, including Daja Perkins, an organizer of Blackbirders' Week. This annual event, which started as a response to a controversial incident in Central Park, has evolved into a celebration of black joy in nature. Daja, who grew up with limited exposure to the outdoors but developed a love for urban ecology and birding, shares her fondness for the barred owl. This bird, which can be spotted or heard during the day, has a distinctive call that sounds like "who cooks for you?" Daja finds solace in observing birds like the barred owl, which requires focus and attention, allowing her to momentarily escape the stresses of the pandemic. The weekly event, which encourages people to explore nature and appreciate the beauty of birds, serves as a reminder of the importance of finding joy in simple pleasures during challenging times.
Celebrating the Joy of Birdwatching During Blackbirders Week: Blackbirders Week brings joy, appreciation for nature, and opportunities to learn and advance birdwatching skills for people of all backgrounds.
Blackbirders Week, now in its second year, is an important celebration of joy and appreciation for nature, particularly birds, that is open to people of all backgrounds and experiences. Organized by the group Black AF and STEM, the week aims to expand the reach of birdwatching and highlight the joy and various careers and hobbies related to it. As an urban ecologist and organizer, the joyous moments included achieving a wide reach, focusing on the joy of the outdoors, and leading the first all-BIPOC bird walk in her hometown of Chicago. For participants, moments like these and the opportunity to learn and advance birdwatching skills make for memorable experiences. Overall, Blackbirders Week is a reminder to observe and appreciate the natural world around us, no matter where we live.
Connecting through shared passions: Bird Watching: The 2020 Black Birders Week event brought people together in person and online, fostering connections and building a community based on shared love for birds and the importance of monitoring local neighborhoods. Safety, including from racism and discrimination, is crucial in the outdoors for all communities.
The Internet can bring people together in meaningful ways, even around shared passions like bird watching. The 2020 Black Birders Week event was a powerful example of this, allowing individuals to form connections in person and build a community based on their shared love for birds and the importance of monitoring local neighborhoods. The event was a safe space where people of all ages and backgrounds could come together, laugh, and learn from one another. However, it's important to acknowledge that safety issues in the outdoors extend beyond just environmental concerns. Safety from racism and other forms of discrimination are also crucial considerations, particularly for marginalized communities like Black women in bird watching. The event's organizers recognized this and addressed these issues through the SafeInNatureDay event on Thursday. Overall, the power of community and the importance of addressing all forms of safety in the outdoors were key themes that emerged from the discussion.
Ensuring Safety in Outdoor Spaces for Women: Urban ecosystems play a crucial role in wildlife conservation and addressing climate change. Individuals and organizations must prioritize safety in outdoor spaces for women to encourage participation in activities like bird conservation.
Women face harassment in outdoor spaces, and it's essential for individuals leading outdoor activities to ensure everyone's safety. Institutions and organizations have a role to play in addressing this issue. Deja, an urban ecologist, emphasized the importance of mapping birds in urban areas through her master's project in North Carolina. Birds inhabit cities during migration and year-round, and conserving urban environments is crucial for their survival and for addressing climate change. The conservation movement now recognizes the significance of urban ecosystems and the need to protect the wildlife that inhabit or pass through them.
Redlining's Impact on Urban Environments and Biodiversity: Historical redlining practices led to less tree cover, fewer native species, and higher urban heat in affected areas, disproportionately impacting minority communities and wildlife.
Historical practices like redlining, which were used to limit minority homeownership, continue to impact urban environments and biodiversity in significant ways. Redlining, implemented in the 1930s and 1940s, led to less tree cover and fewer native species in affected areas, which can negatively impact both birds and people. Urban heat, a growing concern due to climate change, is particularly harmful in redlined neighborhoods. Additionally, wealthier areas tend to have more green spaces and higher species diversity, a phenomenon known as the "biological luxury effect." Blackbirders Week, an initiative to connect people with birds regardless of their neighborhoods, emphasizes the importance of observing and appreciating birds in all communities. By understanding the historical context and ongoing consequences of redlining, we can work towards creating more equitable and sustainable urban environments for both wildlife and people.
New transparency law reveals police misconduct: Extensive research on audio recordings uncovered hidden police misconduct, now made public through a new transparency law.
Important information regarding police misconduct was kept hidden from the public until a new transparency law was passed. This was uncovered through extensive research on audio recordings. For more in-depth discussions on various investment challenges and solutions, tune in to The Bid, a podcast from NPR and KQED, sponsored by BlackRock. In the latest episode, Larry Fink, BlackRock's chairman and CEO, shares insights. Additionally, this Mother's Day, consider gifting Osea's limited edition skin care sets to your mom. Use the code "mom" on osea malibu.com for a 10% discount on your first order.
