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We are so excited about the Birdability Internship Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of national parks for birding enthusiasts of all abilities. Birdability, in collaboration with Environment for the Americas, has created this internship with the National Park Service to foster a more inclusive and accessible environment in our natural spaces.

In celebration of the final day of National Fair Housing Month, celebrated every April, we’re sharing the story of a Birdability Captain and community member, who was forced to navigate the challenges of restrictive housing policies while living with disabilities. Facing the daunting “Income must be greater than 3x rent” rule, Gary Herritz embarked on a remarkable adventure, choosing to embrace nature and birding as home instead. The scarcity of affordable housing across the nation has cast a wide net of hardship, yet its impacts are far from uniform. Those with disabilities face a uniquely daunting challenge in securing housing. Shelterforce shares that “renters with disabilities are often unable to meet the kinds of admission criteria that landlords establish for their properties”, forcing them to make difficult decisions and sometimes leaving them with few housing options. For Birdability Captain, Gary Herritz, it meant choosing a different form of migration.

Spotlight on Cassandra Dean: Empowering Birding for All Abilities In the world of birding, accessibility isn’t always a given. Cassandra Dean experienced that firsthand and it compelled her to take action. Thanks to passionate individuals like Cassandra Dean, the landscape of inclusive and accessible birding is changing. As a Birdability Captain, Cassandra is on a mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy the wonders of birding and nature.

Cat Fribley joined us as Birdability’s Executive Director last fall and we asked her to tell us about herself! Introduction to Birding: When my college roommate pointed out a bird on a tree as we walked to class on an autumn day in 1990, I didn’t anticipate that this moment would mark the beginning of something wonderful. While I can\’t pinpoint whether my spark bird was a red-bellied woodpecker or a yellow-shafted flicker, I can unequivocally say that it was a woodpecker, and it ignited a lifelong love of birds.

Last year, my husband Kyle suffered a massive stroke. In an instant, our lives changed. He became permanently disabled and would need rigorous speech, occupational, and physical therapy, which he continues to this day. One year later, his hard work at rehabilitation has allowed us to live independently and get back to our lives and marriage albeit things look a lot different than before. Kyle isn’t a birder – it is my sole endeavor – but one day he surprised me and said, “I’d like to go birding with you this weekend.” He must have known I was aching to get out!

Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) are an annual community science project, going on 123 years, in which teams of birders collect data on winter birds. The National Audubon Society organizes this event as an effort to track bird population trends and the data is valuable to biologists and conservation! Over the past few years, Birdability has encouraged birders to organize CBCs that are accessible to disabled birders. Historically, birders who experience access challenges were often unable to participate in the Christmas Bird Count, but we are working to create opportunities for these folks to be included in their local CBCs.

When I was invited to be a part of Birdability’s Team Nuthatch at the World Series of Birding, so much of this seemed impossible. How was I going to drive one of the most difficult routes in the country, from Connecticut, around the sprawl of New York City, to southern New Jersey? How could I spend a weekend with a team made up of five people I’d never met in person? How would I deal with the uncertainty of birding at a new place during a large event I was unfamiliar with? But I said yes, anyway.

Interpretive signs can be wonderful ways to learn about and engage with a birding location you’re visiting… if you can access them. Here are some examples of interpretive signs we love (because they’re accessible!) and ones that could use some improvement.

At eight years old I took my first flight lesson. I knew flying was what I was going to do the rest of my life. I was mystified beyond belief. How was I just suspended in the air? My fascination with birds had begun, but I had not realized that. Looking down from the window of the plane, over Atlanta, I could see my whole life: where I lived, where I was born. Places that I had seen so many times, but never from this perspective.

Last week, Birdability founder Virginia Rose and Birdability Coordinator Freya McGregor were birding in Southern California. Here’s a wrap up of why the San Diego Bird Festival, held by San Diego Audubon Society, was a success from Birdability’s perspective. It boils down to the fact that San Diego Audubon, and the festival coordinator Jen Hajj in particular, are wonderful allies.