In this joyful and thought-provoking episode, Dexter and Jason sit down with Danielle Belleny, a wildlife biologist, birder, storyteller, and co-founder of Black Birders Week. Danielle is known for her ability to blend ecology, joy, and cultural reflection, and she encourages us to see nature in often-overlooked places, particularly cemeteries.

Her celebrated works include *This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds* and *A Junior Birder’s Handbook*, and she is also behind the growing #CemeteryBirdersClub movement. Danielle’s efforts are expanding how people connect with birds, life, and even death.

Episode Resources:

• This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds
• A Junior Birder’s Handbook: A Kid’s Guide to Birdwatching

Connect with Danielle:

Stay connected with Danielle’s latest projects, writing, and birding adventures:

Instagram: @bellzisbirding
#CemeteryBirdersClub

Website: https://dbelleny.carrd.co/

The Bird Joy Podcast is hosted by Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall

Connect with the Pod:

Instagram: Bird Joy Podcast

Birding Club Websites:

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding Club

In this episode, Dexter and Jason are joined by Nicole Jackson, environmental educator, urban birder, nature photographer, and co-organizer of Black Birders Week. Nicole shares her journey into environmental education, the healing power of nature, and her passion for making outdoor spaces more inclusive. From grassroots work in Ohio to national initiatives like Let’s Go Outside! with Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Nicole’s story is a powerful reminder that nature belongs to everyone.

The conversation explores her community-based projects, creative work on an upcoming documentary, and wraps with a fun rapid-fire round that offers a glimpse into what brings her Bird Joy.

Highlights:

• How Nicole’s love of nature began in Cleveland
• Healing from trauma through nature
• The evolution of Black Birders Week and Black in National Parks Week
• Making environmental education accessible through Let’s Go Outside!
• Her upcoming youth-focused birding documentary
• Favorite birds, memories, and books from the rapid-fire Q&A

Resources & Links:

• Nicole Jackson – Instagram
• Let’s Go Outside! – Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Black Birders Week – BlackAFinSTEM
• Black in National Parks Week – #BlackInNationalParksWeek
• BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin
• In Color Birding Club

Thank you for listening!
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In this special on-the-road episode, Dexter and Jason visit the Soaring Eagles of Chase STEMM Academy in Toledo, Ohio, for an inspiring conversation with 6th and 7th-grade student ambassadors. Just steps from Manhattan Marsh, these young scholars are exploring nature, STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine), and their big dreams. Shout-out to Vonda Hogle for helping bring this recording to life! Another big shoutout to the folks at The Biggest Week in Birding for connecting us with this incredible school.

Episode Highlights

1. Welcome – Dexter & Jason share their journeys in science, birding, and the power of outdoor learning.
2. Birding at the Marsh – Students reflect on nature sightings and the magic of having a marsh next to their school.
3. STEMM Spotlights – Student ambassadors talk favorite subjects, proud projects, and future careers in STEMM fields.
4. Flip the Mic – Students ask the hosts about birding, STEMM careers, and staying curious.
5. Final Takeaways – A call to keep exploring—in the classroom, in nature, and beyond.

Key Themes

• Nature as a living classroom
• Birding as a gateway to science
• Empowering the next generation of STEMM leaders
• Joy, curiosity, and connection in education

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And don’t forget: keep asking questions, keep exploring, and keep spreading that Bird Joy. Let’s go!

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding