How many times have you heard a fellow New Yorker talk about how they need to escape the city to be in nature? I know I’ve even said that, myself! Despite New York City not being seen as a nature hot-spot, we are in a spectacular location along the Atlantic Flyway, one of the four bird migration routes in the United States. New York City has the capacity to provide enriching biodiverse experiences for birders all over the world. In Central Park alone, there have been over 270 different migratory bird species spotted in one season.

As our world continues to become more urbanized, the amount of people becoming less connected to nature increases. Studies have found that common perceptions of nature in urban youth can include disgust, fear, dirtiness, or danger. Once children have a chance to experience nature and grow in confidence and knowledge, perceptions of nature can be shifted to instill a great passion for nature, a sense of empathy, and a curiosity for learning more.

As someone who has been birding since a child and has seen the joy and wonder that can come from learning about the hundreds of magnificent species that we share our world with, I am eager to pass the knowledge and love of learning to future generations the way my grandparents and parents did for me. By providing resources for urban youth through Little Birders NYC, I want to instill a sense of pride in our unique urban environment, encourage outdoor exploration and bird watching, and connect children and their families to nature.