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!
Subscribe, rate, and review the Bird Joy Podcast. Follow us on social media for new episodes and bonus content.

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

Resources & Mentions:

• 📚 Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places by Dudley Edmondson
• 📖 People the Planet Needs Now
• 🎥 PBS: America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston
• 🖼️ Minnesota Marine Art Museum – Northern Waters

Connect with Dudley Edmondson:

• Website: www.dudleyedmondson.com
• Instagram: @dudleyedmondson

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin: bipocbirdingclub.org
In Color Birding Club: incolorbirding.org

We’re celebrating Black Birders Week with a very special guest: Corina Newsome — wildlife biologist, conservation scientist, and one of the original co-organizers of the first Black Birders Week in 2020. In this inspiring episode, Corina joins Dexter and Jason to talk about her journey from zookeeper to passionate advocate for environmental justice, and how she’s helping reshape who feels welcome in the outdoors.

Corina reflects on the moment she fell in love with wildlife, the movement-building behind Black Birders Week (founded by Black AF in STEM), and how becoming a mother is deepening her connection to nature. This episode is full of heart, humor, and real talk—from favorite birding snacks and awe-filled moments to the ongoing work of creating inclusive spaces in science and nature. It’s a celebration of joy, justice, and unapologetic presence in wild places.

Instagram: @hood_naturalist
LinkedIn: Corina Newsome
Website: www.corinanewsome.com

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin: bipocbirdingclub.org
In Color Birding Club: incolorbirding.org

🎧 Subscribe to Bird Joy wherever you listen to podcasts and follow @thebirdjoypod for more episodes celebrating birds, community, and belonging.

In this episode, Dexter and Jason sit down with Kojo Baidoo — a 23-year-old birder, Princeton graduate, and self-proclaimed vulture enthusiast — to explore how one young conservationist is flipping the script on one of the most misunderstood birds in the skies.

Kojo shares how his birding journey began in Maryland and took flight during his time studying Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Princeton. He opens up about his experiences navigating the birding world as a young Black birder, the mentors who shaped him, and how he’s using social media to educate and inspire. From viral reels to fieldwork with The Nature Conservancy, Kojo’s mission is clear: even the “ugly” birds deserve joy.

The conversation also touches on Kojo’s recent trip to witness the Sandhill Crane migration, his current work as a Hubbard Fellow, and advice for aspiring birders who feel like outsiders in the outdoor space. Kojo’s blend of humor, heart, and scientific insight makes this episode a powerful reminder that birding can be a tool for joy, community, and change.

Instagram: @kojobirder
Learn more about Black Vultures here

Subscribe, rate, and review Bird Joy wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on social @thebirdjoypod for more feathered joy and behind-the-scenes content!

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding

In this inspiring episode of The Bird Joy Podcast, Jason and Dexter sit down with Shane Alden Edwards, better known online as The Wild Dryad. A self-taught illustrator and botanist, Shane has captured the hearts of over half a million nature lovers through his vibrant educational content centered on plants, ecology, and outdoor learning.

From early creative roots in aquaponics and drawing, to leading community workshops in partnership with The Conservation Foundation and The Field Museum of Natural History, Shane shares how art and education can work together to nurture a deeper relationship with the natural world.

We talk about the joy of native plants, the importance of experiential learning, and how community and creativity can foster healing for both people and the planet.

Topics Covered:

• Shane’s journey into botany through art and aquaponics
• How acting and improv shape his unique teaching style
• Building inclusive, community-centered environmental education
• The importance of native plants for birds, biodiversity, and ecosystems
• Memorable experiences studying ecology in North America and Southeast Asia
• What it’s like to grow an online community of over 500,000 nature lovers
• Tips for beginners who want to start exploring plants and botany
• Hopes for the future of conservation, education, and environmental justice
• Finding joy through connection with plants and nature

bipocbirdingclub.org

incolorbirding.org

The second episode of The Bird Joy Podcast features hosts Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall in conversation with their "dream guest," Dr. J. Drew Lanham, a distinguished wildlife ecologist, professor, poet, and author. The episode delves into Dr. Lanham's deep connections to nature, starting with his childhood on The Home Place and the influence of his grandmother.

The discussion explores themes of land, identity, and belonging for Black individuals in landscapes with a history of slavery, referencing Dr. Lanham's book The Home Place. It also discusses the realities of "Birding While Black," including the experience of being watched and the question of safety, while also touching on the progress and necessary changes brought about by initiatives like Black Birders Week.

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the concept of "Joy as Justice," the title of Dr. Lanham's latest poetry collection. They explore why joy is central to his work and its meaning as a form of resistance. They also discuss navigating grief alongside the wonder of nature.

The hosts and Dr. Lanham touch upon the power of storytelling in conservation, blending science with poetry, and the impact of his writing, referencing his BirdNote episode "For Lindsay." The episode concludes with a discussion on legacy, advice for young Black and Brown nature enthusiasts, and Dr. Lanham's hopes for the future of birding and the outdoors.

The hosts thanked Dr. Lanham and provided information on where listeners can find his work before signing off. They also shouted out relevant organizations and called listeners to action.

bipocbirdingclub.org

incolorbirding.org