“I’ve never met a black bird watcher before!”

Biologist, author, and birder John C. Robinson says he’s heard that a lot over the years. It got him wondering why there were so few minorities involved with birding. It’s a topic he explores in his new book Birding for Everyone, Encouraging People of Color to Become Birdwatchers.

During a recent lecture at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Robinson said he believes future efforts to conserve the environment hinge on getting minority and inner-city communities more engaged with the natural world. He points out that in another couple of generations, minority populations collectively will be the majority. If they care about nature and the environment, then they will elect public officials who share that concern.

To set things in motion, Robinson has started the Birding for Everyone Foundation – an initiative to deliver one million free copies of his book, Birding for Everyone, to inner city and minority youth or young adults.

Watch this video to learn more about how Robinson got hooked on science and bird watching along with the importance of having mentors and role models to spread an appreciation of nature to new audiences.

 To learn more about Birding for Everyone, visit Robinson’s web site