Local Group Hopes To Expand Ethnic Diversity of Birdwatching Community
TINICUM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) - A small conference next Saturday at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge aims to make a big impact on the complexion of birding.
The "Focus on Diversity" conference wants to change the face of American birding. Organizer Dave Magpiong says that although there's a wealth of diversity in nature, the same can't be said for the birding community.
"In my years of birding I've been out and done lots of trips, and I very rarely see someone of a darker skin tone than mine, and I'm pretty standout myself," he tells KYW Newsradio.
So he's assembled a Who's Who of nature authors, educators, and enthusiasts to address the problem, and find and promote solutions.
"We'll get beyond the theoretical talk of 'Let's get more people of color and more kids and more seniors birding and into nature,' and it'll start happening," he says.
You can get more details on the Focus on Diversity conference at fledgingbirders.org.
Reported by Molly Daly, KYW Newsradio 1060
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