Delaware County-based Natural Lands and the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties are proud to co-host a pay-what-you-wish virtual event at 6:30 p.m. on February 24, featuring Tykee James, co-organizer of the first #BlackBirdersWeek and Government Affairs Coordinator at the National Audubon Society.

Mr. James, originally from Philadelphia, will lead an hour-long, interactive Zoom event to discuss the creation of Black Birders Week, inspired after fellow birder, Christian Cooper, was threatened in New York’s Central Park in a racist incident last spring.

The week-long social media, online, and livestreamed convening brought nationwide attention to the fact that Black birders have a vastly different experience in this country’s parks, nature preserves, and open spaces than their white counterparts.

James has earned a reputation as a charismatic and engaging presenter, moderator, and panelist in online forums over the last year—forced, as we all have been, to all-virtual platforms during the pandemic.

But his original inspiration to find the intersection between environmental and racial justice came in the physical world of West Philadelphia, where he worked as an environmental educator at Cobbs Creek Environmental Center.

“My love of birds starts with the fact that I started birding as a job. It did not start off as a hobby like it does for most people. It did not start off as something my grandparents passed down. The interest grew because that part of my job coincided with my passion for engaging and serving my community.”

Online events have proved to be a great way to keep nature lovers connected to the outdoors and each other over the past year, and to draw audiences from outside the region. Often, participants find themselves inspired to get outside.

“Celebrating Black birders is a valuable way to encourage our watershed constituents of all backgrounds to explore nearby outdoor spaces, particularly Tacony Creek Park and our restoration projects,” says Julie Slavet, executive director at TTF Watershed Partnership. “Here at TTF, our mission is to improve the health of our watershed by connecting our residents and communities to their creeks. Birding programs have always been a foundation of our community engagement. We have published a Bird Guide in English and Spanish, and all of our bird walks are bilingual.”

“All of us in the conservation space—whether we’re involved because of careers or because of passion, or both—have much to learn from an advocate like Tykee. Equity and inclusion in natural spaces must become the norm,” says Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to the public and to have found more ways to work closely with the stellar staff of TTF.” In addition to co-hosting this event, Natural Lands and TTF have partnered on a variety of projects to help municipalities and non-profits better protect water quality and manage stormwater in their communities.

 “Birding is a coalition builder,” says James. “The way it brought me to the table on environmental issues is the same way I hope it brings people to the table on racial progress.”

Click Here to register.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Natural Lands website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from Natural Lands and Like them on Facebook.  Click Here to support their activities.

Natural Lands has preserved more than 125,000 acres, including 43 nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres.

Visit the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership website to learn more about their programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved.

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[Posted: February 10, 2021]

2/15/2021