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Illustrator David Sibley and actor H. Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction!
When Clemson professor and wildlife biologist, Dr. J. Drew Lanham, agreed to do a video for BirdNote, we had no idea of the reach the story would have. Based on a column that originally appeared in Orion Magazine, “Rules for the Black Birdwatcher” sparked a conversation that continues a year and a half later.
Drew introduces birding to second-graders, in a video produced by daughter Alexis Lanham
It's a message not to be missed. As Dr. Lanham says, “Conserving birds and their habitat is a moral mission that needs the broadest and most diverse audience possible to be successful.”
When the video first appeared on BirdNote's Facebook page in February 2015, the response was amazing – the single-most liked and shared of any BirdNote post ever.
It prompted comments such as this one from EveG:
This video is important. It raises an important issue with a touch of humor. As a woman, I have to be careful about birding alone so I understand how he is vulnerable. So important to bring young people into nature. The future of the earth depends upon them. Thank you for making this video and raising awareness.
And this one: Very interesting. Well presented, and sadly, I believe it is absolutely true.
And: As a white woman married to a black man and both of us being birders, I can attest to this being funny, shameful and true!
There's a lot more to the story!
KPLU’s Bellamy Pailthorp interviewed Drew Lanham about his journey from a childhood in nature to his adult occupation – and preoccupation – with birds and birding. Listen to the interview.
Read the original "9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher" from Orion Magazine.
Q&A with Drew: The story behind the video
Drew spoke with Audubon Magazine about why he became a birder. Read the article.
Jackie Sojico, an independent producer, was quite taken by BirdNote's video with Drew. So she interviewed him for a deeper story and included excerpts from the video. Listen to Jackie Sojico’s interview with Dr. Lanham on the podcast, "Finding the Sweet Spot.”
There's more: Behind the Binoculars - Drew leads a group of aspiring young birders on a field trip to Assateague Island
A video about Drew as a naturalist, including several students who have been inspired by him, from Clemson Urban Ministries. Watch the video.
BirdNote SoundCloud clips, featuring Dr. Drew Lanham:
Drew Lanham at Magee Marsh in Ohio
Drew Lanham: We Don't All See Trees in the Same Way
Audio Postcard: A Flock of Dunlin Flew Between Us
Additional resources:
Trail Posse/High Country News
Outdoor Afro
Latino Outdoors
Young Birders Network
For teachers - a lesson plan for high school students
Birdwatching Through the Lens of Diversity
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Funding for this video comes from the Chris Peterson Fund for Creative Storytelling.