08-08: Still Birding to Change the World with Trish O'Kane
Feb 22, 2024
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Trish O'Kane, author of 'Birding to Change the World,' shares her journey from bird enthusiast to activist. She discusses protecting urban parks, engaging city officials, and the transformative power of birding in uniting communities. The podcast also highlights tracking Emperor Penguin colonies and the importance of environmental education.
Satellite technology found new Emperor Penguin colonies in Antarctica, revealing their adaptability to changing environments.
Trish O'Kane's memoir highlights the power of birding in activism, community building, and connecting nature with social justice.
Deep dives
Uncovering Emperor Penguin Colonies
Researchers use satellite technology to discover four previously unknown Emperor Penguin colonies around the periphery of the Antarctic continent. Dr. Peter Fretwell's research sheds light on the population dynamics of these iconic birds, showing their flexibility in adapting to changing environments, such as the tragic loss of the Halle Bay Colony due to rapidly shifting sea ice conditions.
Birding for Conservation and Activism
Trish O'Kane, an environmental educator, shares her journey of activism and community building through birding in her memoir, 'Birding to Change the World.' By engaging with birds and nature, she found solace and a new perspective on environmental issues, leading her to advocate for protecting urban parks and fostering connections between nature and social justice.
Educating Through Nature Exploration
The program 'Birding to Change the World' in Warner Park engaged children and adults in discovering the wonders of nature. By observing birds and wildlife in their urban environment, participants found joy and educational value in appreciating the interconnectedness of all living beings. Trish O'Kane's approach to nature education emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting the natural world.
Community Organizing for Conservation
The success and continuity of the 'Wild Warner' conservation group in Madison were achieved through intentional community organizing and shared passion for preserving the park. By fostering camaraderie, celebrating nature, and actively engaging in local politics, the group ensured that the legacy of advocacy for urban green spaces like Warner Park continued beyond individual efforts, creating a lasting impact on conservation and community involvement.
Way back in 2019, we first spoke with Trish O’Kane about the Birding to Change the World program she had instituted at the University of Vermont, where she is a lecturer and environmental educator, because of an essay she had written for The New York Times. She's back 5 years later to talk about her new memoir, appropriately titled Birding to Change the World, which recounts her journey from nascent bird obsessive to activist to environmental educator through the effort to protect a much-loved urban park in Madison, Wisconsin.
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