How Birding Can Change the World: A Panel Discussion on Feb. 23

Monday, February 23, at 7 pm at the Madison Community Arts Center, 10 Kings Road.

If you need proof that birding is a contagious way to make friends and protect open space, look no further than Trish O’Kane’s excellent book, Birding to Change the World. The inspiring memoir, beloved by customers at The Nature of Reading Bookshop, will be the subject of a panel discussion on Monday, February 23, at 7 pm at the Madison Community Arts Center, 10 Kings Road.

The discussion, co-hosted by the Madison Environmental Commission (MEC) and The Nature of Reading Bookshop, will feature local experts who welcome birds into their lives, both personally and professionally.

 The MEC’s Bridget Daley will share her tips on how to turn your yard into a year-round bird feeder by using native perennial plants, trees, and shrubs. Bridget is a native plants garden coach and a Rutgers Environmental Steward.

Tedor Whitman, director of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary in Milburn, will talk about migratory birds and how an ecologically friendly suburban landscape helps them survive their long journeys by providing food and habitat.

Finally, R.J. Curcio, a Drew 2017 grad and an ecologist for the Monmouth County Park System, will discuss how preserving and managing diverse natural habitats for birds builds community. Off-duty, he is a passionate wildlife photographer.

“I’m thrilled that these speakers are joining us,” says Claire Whitcomb, MEC chair. “When I first read Birding to Change the World, our community was trying to protect the Drew Forest from development. The author’s parallel story of saving a park in Madison, Wisconsin, reminded me of R.J. and the many Drew University students whose lives have been changed by falling in love with a forest and its wildlife. To me, this book is as much about community action as it is about birding.”

Hailey Brock concurs. “In this beautiful memoir,” she says, “Trish O’Kane masterfully articulates the values I hold dearest when it comes to environmentalism and our relationship with the natural world: that we cannot heal the planet without seeking justice for the marginalized communities most impacted by climate change. Through expanding accessibility to nature for everyone regardless of socioeconomic status and through cultivating a deep love of nature in future generations, O’Kane’s story shows how when we begin to heal our planet, we also begin to heal ourselves.”

The talk is free, but advance registration is required. Reserve your seat here.