[birdergirl]

This article published yesterday deals with the lack of diversity in birding and ways we can promote more inclusion which can only help birds and conservation. It is written well by the great Kenn Kaufman. Kenn has written about the lack of young women in birding and the sexism women face so it's nice to see him also tackling this issue.

"The Love of Birds knows No Language"
https://www.audubon.org/news/the-love-b ... o-language

A similar article was written in 2014 and published by National Geographic which goes a little more in depth for anyone interested:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news ... t-science/

A blog by an African American Ornithologist named Drew Lanham also offers great insight into the problem
http://wildandincolor.blogspot.ca/2011/ ... eally.html

Cheers,
Mel

[JodyWells]

wow
this is a topic i can honestly say i had not ever even considered
i have been known in my circles as someone who has more of an affection for birds and nature than most but only recently have i begun to become familiar with "birder-dom" .. so my outlook/experience is perhaps very much not typical.
However I would be appalled if I encountered any such ridiculous prejudice or exclusionary attitudes such as were cited.
Oddly enough, of the Birders I have come to be acquainted with in Greater Victoria I would say the ratio of men and women is about 50-50.
Our Racial demographics in Canada are way different than in the US , as well as our history .
So, I would hope that the wisdom of embracing and valuing diversity of perspectives and giftings would prevail.

Alas -that is not always the case,however awareness is always a key for change.

Thanks for putting forth this topic Mel
Cheers
Jody Wells

[birdergirl]

however awareness is always a key for change.

So true Jody.

Thanks for reading,
Mel