Growing up surrounded by profound ignorance in the Deep South showed me firsthand how science often fails to reach those who need it, and I had to personally unlearn the biases of my environment by seeking truth through science and nature. I was fortunate enough to have a mom who was involved in environmental work and who actively facilitated my pursuit of a career in conservation, but there are many systemic, privileged barriers blocking people from pursuing the same path. Therefore, I care deeply about sharing knowledge, passion, and discoveries about the natural world with communities the forefront of conservation efforts, as well as increasing equity, diversity, and inclusion in science.
This is particularly important because my research will partly involve studying prairie dog towns on the tribal land of the Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) and Nakoda (Assiniboine) Nations. Although the ongoing pandemic presents challenges, I have set a goal engage indigenous students in outreach about community ecology and bird conservation, while listening to and valuing their traditionally informed perspectives on the animals I study.
Watch this space for updates about outreach efforts (local and broad) as my research progresses. In the meantime, please check out two environmental outreach groups I founded: the Inclusive Birding Club at NIU and the Morning Flight Group on Facebook.
The purpose of the Inclusive Birding Club is to create a safe, welcoming, and judgement-free space for interested students at NIU to get involved with birdwatching, where all experience levels, identity groups, and cultural backgrounds are actively encouraged. We aim to support student mental health by fostering a connection to the local environment, advocate locally for conservation of birds and their habitats, and provide a path for career development in relevant fields of study, such as ornithology, ecology and evolutionary biology, and conservation.
Even though my current research isn't focused on migration, I'm passionate about communicating the joy that migration inspires. This group is dedicated to sharing and discussing information about "morning flight," where migrating birds "re-orient" in large concentrations while migrating in response to geographic or weather barriers.
Morning flight has remained poorly known by the North American birding community due to its ephemeral nature and the specific conditions that produce it, but it has come into greater prominence and recognition in recent decades thanks to dedicated study from field birders. This group serves as a vehicle to increase awareness about morning flight and to build our knowledge about this incredible phenomenon that stands at the "cutting edge of birding."
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