Each spring, nature lovers, scientists, and outdoor enthusiasts come together to celebrate Black Birders Week—a vibrant, weeklong event that uplifts Black nature enthusiasts and challenges stereotypes about who belongs in the outdoors.
Black Birders Week was founded in 2020 by a group of Black scientists, naturalists, and birders known as the BlackAFinSTEM collective. It began in response to a viral incident of racial profiling involving Christian Cooper, a Black birder in Central Park. But more than a reaction, the movement is a celebration—an assertion of joy, identity, and the right to explore nature safely and freely.
Held annually in late May or early June, the event includes virtual panels, live birding events, educational content, and social media campaigns that highlight Black voices in natural sciences. Each day of the week focuses on a different theme, such as science communication, conservation, birding, or community building.
Birding might seem like a peaceful, solitary hobby, but access to green spaces—and feeling safe in them—is not equally distributed. Black Birders Week draws attention to these disparities while showcasing the passion, expertise, and diversity within the Black outdoor community.
It also challenges outdated notions of what a birder “looks like.” Representation matters. When Black youth see people who look like them in fields like ecology, ornithology, or environmental education, it broadens the sense of possibility. It helps create a more inclusive culture both in science and in recreational outdoor spaces.
You don’t have to be a seasoned birder to participate. Whether you’re picking up binoculars for the first time or you’re a long-time nature advocate, there are plenty of ways to join in:
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Follow and share content from the official Black Birders Week hashtag (#BlackBirdersWeek) on social media.
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Attend local bird walks or online events hosted by participating organizations.
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Support Black-led environmental groups and educators.
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Learn about Black scientists, conservationists, and nature advocates—past and present.
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Explore your local parks and trails while advocating for equitable access to green space.
Black Birders Week is more than a celebration of birds—it’s a call for awareness, inclusion, and equity in outdoor spaces. It reminds us that nature is for everyone, and that when we amplify diverse voices, the environmental movement becomes stronger, smarter, and more just.
So grab your field guide, listen to the birdsong, and join the movement. Because everyone deserves to feel at home in nature.
