Each year, New York State Parks’ New York City region collaborates with partners BlackAFinSTEM, NYC Audubon, Latino Outdoors, Feminist Bird Club, and Outdoor Afro to convene Black Birders Week events. Together, these local organizations have created a network of support for historically marginalized people in communities that call this diverse and populated metropolis home, and our state parks are proud to serve as venues for some of the week’s activities.

Black Birders Week is just one example of how an injustice can inspire a community of people to come together to advocate and inspire change. On May 25, 2020, Christian Cooper – a Black man – was birding in Central Park when he encountered a white woman with her dog in the Ramble and politely asked her to put her dog on a leash so as not to disturb nesting birds. In response, the woman called 911 and asserted that a Black man was threatening her and her dog.

The video of this encounter went viral, making national news and demonstrating the challenges Black people face when engaging in outdoor activities. The incident, and others like it, led to the creation of Black Birders Week, now in its fourth year. The week itself aims to celebrate and uplift budding Black birders, expert Black birders, and all birders in between.

Join us in celebrating Black Birders Week with a full slate of events at three New York City parks named after historic Black and Afro-Caribbean leaders: Marsha P. Johnson State Park, Shirley Chisholm State Park and Roberto Clemente State Park.

Joining the Flock

BlackAFinSTEM created Black Birders Week to promote diversity and inclusion by uplifting those who have been marginalized in nature-based professional fields and recreational activities. The BlackAFinSTEM Collective seeks to support, uplift and amplify Black STEM professionals in natural resources and the environment through professional development, career connection and community engagement. They also aim to inspire new audiences to engage in nature and to share the stories of Black conservationists from across the African diaspora.

NYC Audubon, soon to be named NYC Bird Alliance Inc., is a grassroots organization of community scientists and volunteers dedicated to protecting and conserving wild bird habitats in the five boroughs. Throughout the year, they provide free recreational and educational programs for the public.

For the past two years of New York State Parks-sponsored Black Birders Week events, NYC Audubon has provided Black birder program facilitators so that we celebrate the week as intended – by uplifting Black nature professionals as role models and leaders. In the spirit of Black Birders Week, NYC Audubon is once again helping State Parks reach Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) facilitators to lead this year’s birding events.  

This year, for the first time, Latino Outdoors is collaborating with State Parks on a bilingual bird walk for Black Birders Week at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx. The namesake of the park, Roberto Clemente, was Afro-Puerto Rican and the first Latino to be inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. With the majority of the Bronx population being Latino and Black, New York State Parks and Latino Outdoors aim to embrace intersectionality and provide inclusive recreational opportunities by conducting the program in English and Spanish.

Each year, Black Birders Week has a theme. This year’s theme is “Wings of Justice: Soaring for Change.” State Parks’ New York City environmental education team not only cares about the natural environment, but environmental justice as well. Social and environmental issues are connected, with BIPOC people historically facing the worst environmental circumstances.

Black and brown people have historically had unequal access to green space.  But we can be the change we want to see in the world. Hosting annual Black Birders Week programs helps State Parks build inclusive and safe spaces that create connections between organizations in New York City and the city’s vibrant communities where it is needed the most– out in nature and in state parks.

If you or your group would like to work with New York State Parks for future events, email Shirley Chisholm State Park at SCSPeducation@parks.ny.gov or Marsha P Johnson State Park and Roberto Clemente State Park at NYCEE@parks.ny.gov.

2024 Black Birders Week Events

Don’t miss the list of Black Birders Week events below! All programs are free and material will be provided, including binoculars and bird guides. We’ll see you out there! Nos vemos afuera!

Beginner Birding
Marsha P Johnson State Park
Sunday May 26
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
 All ages
 Binoculars provided
 Registration is encouraged

If you are interested in learning about birds, but don’t know where to start, join us for a walk to learn the basics of bird identification. Birders of every level and every age are welcome.

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Feathered Friends: Live Bird Demonstration
Shirley Chisholm State Park – Pennsylvania side at Hendrix Creek Patio
Sunday May 26
1 PM to 3 PM
All ages
This is a drop-in program. Registration not required!

Ever wanted to meet some of New York’s fiercest predators? Join Long Island’s Environmental Educator Marc, get up-close and personal with his wildlife ambassadors, and learn about these feathered friends at Hendrix Creek Patio.

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Bikes and Birds with NYC Audubon and Outdoor Afro
Shirley Chisholm State Park– Fountain Ave side at the Bike Library Monday, May 27
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
All ages
Binoculars provided
Registration is required

Join us and Outdoor Afro to discover the incredible birds of Shirley Chisholm State Park on a bike. Whether you’re an expert birder or just curious about our feathered friends, there is always something fun to discover on the trails.

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Latino Outdoors NYC | Bilingual Sunset Birding & S’mores
Roberto Clemente State Park
Tuesday, May 28

Sorry, this event is sold out.

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Sunset Birding with Feminist Bird Club
Shirley Chisholm State Park– Fountain side 
Wednesday, May 29
 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
 Ages 8 years and older 
 2-3 miles on gravel trails with gradual incline
 Binoculars provided
 Registration is required

Sunsets are a great time to go birding, as many birds are active at dawn and dusk! Join Feminist Bird Club’s Akilah Lewis and discover the joys of urban birding as the sun sets over Manhattan.

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Puppets at the Park House: Karen Cardinal’s New Neighbors
Marsha P. Johnson State Park
Thursday, May 30
3 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM
 All ages
 Registration is encouraged

Diversity is important, even in nature! Puppets at the Park House presents an original show in honor of Black Birders Week: “Karen Cardinal’s New Neighbors!” When some migratory birds settle into Karen Cardinal’s neighborhood, she learns that our differences are what make us special and that there is space for birds of all colors and sizes.

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Birds and Brews: Sunset Birding and a Tour of Brooklyn Brewery
Marsha P. Johnson State Park
Friday, May 31
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Ages 18 and older
Binoculars provided
Registration is required

Come to our sunset birding with special guest facilitator Roslyn Rivas from NYC Audubon. Spot songbirds as the sun sets behind the Manhattan skyline. After the program, you can attend a free tour of the nearby Brooklyn Brewery offered specifically for participants and receive a drink voucher for a beer, wine, or soda. Learn about the connections between birds and beer, while making new connections with other birders. Birders of all experience levels are welcome!  

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Feathered Friends: Live Bird Demonstration
Marsha P. Johnson State Park
 Saturday June 1
 1 PM to 4PM
 All ages
 Registration encouraged

Silent Wings Rehab and Education will give us an up-close introduction to their wildlife ambassadors, including owls and kestrels! Meet some feathered friends while we discuss the many different species of birds of prey native to New York and their interesting adaptations!

-Written by Jenna Otero, Environmental Educator