Decolonizing Birding

Instructors: Rachel Katz (rkatz@goldengatebirds.org) and Joe Joseph

Description: Why do we bird? What ethical and historical questions should we consider as birders? How can environmental practices and philosophies derived from communities at the margin enrich our birding?
This class is directed at curious individuals eager to discuss questions like these, which employ a critical and reflective lens on birding. Birders of all experience levels are welcome.
We will pull from an academic framework called “decolonial theory” to guide our process of co-creation; together we’ll build a community birding experience rooted in a critique of the power structures that have emerged from colonization of land and mind.
We will host one 1.5 hour introduction class on Zoom followed by weekly experimental in- person excursions (approximately 3 hours) blending imaginative dialogue with interactive birding. Based on the ideas we will discuss each week, we will have multimedia resources to engage with between classes.
Carpooling will be encouraged, especially when the trips are not bike/transit-friendly. Trips are sensitive to accessibility needs and the instructors are committed to making the class conducive to all.

Classes: One Thursday evening Zoom session, 6 to 7:30 pm: September 5 
             (Zoom link will be provided when you register.)
Five three-hour field trips, Saturdays, 9 am to 12 noon: September 7, 14, 21, 28; October 5.

Group Size: 20 participants max

Price: $200 ($160 for GGAS members, a 20% discount)

Registration opens at 1 pm on Wednesday, August 7 and closes at 11pm on Wednesday, September 4.