The Feminist Bird Club's Birding for a Better World: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Nature

by Sydney Anderson, Molly Adams

“Through the Feminist Bird Club, Molly Adams and Sydney Golden Anderson have walked the walk of inclusive birding; in Birding for a Better World , they talk the talk—this book got me to examine overlooked injustices, in and out of birding.”
—Christian Cooper, author of Better Living Through Birding and host/consulting producer of National Geographic’s Extraordinary Birder TV show
 
“It’s a beautiful package for a beautiful that a shared love of birds could also be a collective learning experience in social and ecological justice.” 
– Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Resisting the Attention Economy

A celebration of birding as an inclusive activity for everyone, from organizing members of the Feminist Bird Club.

Birding is for everyone. That is the sentiment on which the Feminist Bird Club (FBC) was founded in 2016 and the spirit that is celebrated in this original and timely book. In these pages, Molly Adams, FBC founder, and Sydney Golden Anderson offer
The Feminist Bird Club's Birding for a Better World illustrates how anyone can engage in the universally available activity of birding, and support equity and environmental justice at the same time, making an excellent gift or self-purchase for seasoned birders and beginners alike, as well as for nature lovers, social justice activists, and anyone seeking actionable information about accessibility and inclusivity in the birding community.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Birds, Feminism, Animals, Environment, Social Justice

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Rhiannon Johnson]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher




I love watching my hummingbirds at their feeder and trying to identify different birds in my backyard and I subscribe to a bird magazine, but I don't think I'm a "birder." Ok, after reading that sentence I realize that maybe I'm in denial. However, when I saw this as an instant download in Edelweiss, I had to check it out. Full of cute illustrations, this was the most fun and relatable book about birds I have ever read. It also opened my mind to the overlaps and disconnects between social justice and birding. I definitely recommend this book to any birders or people like me who like birds but aren't quite ready to claim the title of "birder" just yet.



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[Michelle Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read - beautiful illustrations. I credit the Chicago chapter of the Feminist Birding Club with leading me to Openlands. I am excited to be volunteering with Birding In My Backyard in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools- a collective learning experience about the love of birding with students.

[Andrew Blok]

A practical introduction to birding and how to do it for the betterment of birds yourself and the world. I'm planning on looking up the Tucson chapter in the New Year.

[Rachel Walter]

Not rating because I always struggle to rate this type of book, however found the information to be super accessible and well put together! I feel like my ideal use for this would be to do it with a middle to high school girls outdoor group (like Girl Scouts). I wish more outdoor organizations would take recommendations from Feminist Bird Club (I’m looking at you “all paces welcome” run clubs which are not in fact welcoming all paces lol). Will keep an eye on their Seattle chapter

[Allison Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a delightful little book that advocates for inclusivity and acceptance in the birding world in a way that is much needed. The beautiful artwork and journal prompts make this a book I will hold on to and enjoy for a long time to come.

[Liberty Araas · Rating 2 out of 5]

95% of the book was how to make the birding community super inclusive, and the other 5% was actually about birding and birds. The book didn’t seem necessary although the art was pretty cool.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geared more towards someone just beginning to learn about DEI and birding.

[Rose Baseil Massa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the read I needed amidst the genocide in Palestine and state brutality against US college students. A reminder that Nature is a means to building community and healing — ourselves, each other, and the world. Highly recommend!

[Stockten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick 1.5 hour read. Iwish there was more to it; all of the information in the book could be presented in a 30 minute presentation. I loved all of the illustrations and learned about a few cool artists and community organizations that I'm happy to have followed on Instagram.

[Carly Philpott · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Birding is for everyone, but the history of birding in colonized North America has not always reflected that truth.”

very interesting book that reflects a lot of conscious work that must be done while engaging in nature

[J Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting. What a great introduction to our place in birding

[Ayicia Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to like this more than I did. I think I was hoping for some fresher ideas in reaching/connecting with people- the ones presented here seemed a bit flat

[Natasha J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant for incredibly niche audience, but I really loved the message. Fans of robin wall kimmerer will find lots to love here

[annamae · Rating 5 out of 5]

birding is for everyone!!!!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

very quick read that made me tear up :’) i loved the art and discussions about intersectionality.

nature is what radicalizes, so get out and watch some birds!!

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been on FBC walks a couple of times and I can say that every FBC walk is along the lines of how it's described in the book. It's a wonderful book (and FBC is a wonderful group!) and I'm so happy to see a quote from Wendy Walker here. It's a first for me where I see a quote from someone I've personally met.

I've had a chance to meet Wendy a couple of times - she helped me sign up as a volunteer with Birds Connect Seattle and I've attended some of the FBC walks she once led. In one of those walks she said something that stays with me - she said how we should try and appreciate all birds regardless of how common or rare they were - it's never "just a crow", "it's a beautiful crow" out there.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers a quick and accessible read with wonderful illustrations that enhance the content. What makes it accessible for me? The font is right-sized, there is plentiful white space, and the text is engaging and uncomplicated.

I don’t consider myself a birder, but I am a Nature lover. I saw this book on the “New” shelf at the public library and selected it as a supportive complement to my current studies on forest therapy and reiki.

The journal prompts are spot on, and the included resources are a helpful addition. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants to become more engaged with Nature or to understand how an appreciation of Nature contributes to our care for all beings on Earth.

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following and appreciating The Feminist Bird Club since I found it on social media - their patches and growing number of clubs across the U.S. make me so happy! And now this book adds to that joy. From the first pages of the book, "One thing we understand is that every prevailing injustice upon the earth and its inhabitants is interconnected, each reliant on the existence of the other. There is hope in knowing that as many of us tug upon our work in the world, it inevitably helps unravel the systems that keep all beings from thriving. This book aims to unravel the threads at the intersection of birding and community."

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful a book! I learned of this title through writer Ed Yong's lovely e-newsletter.
As someone with disabling chronic illness, I found this brief but informative book both affirming and validating, and infused with thoughtfulness, loving-kindness, and joy. The little illustrations of birds sprinkled throughout are especially sweet.

I'm so happy there are people and groups out there, like FBC, who are working to make Nature accessible to all, and with much love and respect, too (for both the participant and for Nature).

Highly recommend, especially if you need something uplifting.

[Katie Ebinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love birding. I love feminism. I just didn't love this book. Don't get me wrong, I'm still glad I read it. I think I was just expecting to learn more about where I can go to join FBC, but there isn't a branch where I live and it's semi complicated to start one myself. This book also felt heavy at times with laying out all the systemic issues in our country and world, leaving me to feel like there's not much I can do about it. I probably wasn't in the right headspace when I read this book, and I'm hoping I'll be more readily available to think about the deep questions posed during the journaling prompts.

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle introduction for novice birders. A bit too self-consciously "woke" for my taste; like mashing up a birding guide and a DEI manual. I've actually found birding to be quite an inclusive community, regardless of gender, age, race or orientation. Not that racism and low-key harassment of a single pretty young woman doesn't exist, and it can be pretty creepy, but in my experience it's been rare.

[Sara J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The actual "book" portion of this is rather short, hence finishing it in just a few hours. But the journal prompts and call to activism and engagement means that one could never finish this book as well. A well laid out, good reminder, and guide to inclusive and welcoming birding experiences. This resonates with me and is a great way to combine my personal hobby and professional life.

[Mike Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When we walk through life with others who make us feel safe, seen, and cared for, we are given permission to compost stagnant parts of ourselves, and shine bright without apology” (131). An important read for a lister like me. Great writing and good balance of info, perspective, reflection, and action.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. It has some really beautiful illustrations in it. There is good information on making birding accessible for all and why it's important. Good information on why nature is important. Had some interesting thoughts about how to make birding more accessible by changing just slight things about it. Overall not a bad boon to flip through and learn from.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. The book is short, and I feel like it doesn't deliver on the promise of the subtitle -- but it shares some ideas for doing better and lots of resources for researching further. The illustrations are beautiful!

[Kelly Knits]

I thought this would be more about the act of birding and it’s much more geared toward setting up clubs and meet ups and a focus on inclusivity. So it’s not what I thought it was gonna be about. That’s on me.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, practical guide to getting started birding, the origins of Feminist Bird Club, and the benefits of community within birding. Includes other resources to check out too.

Thanks to Libro.fm for the librarian ALC.

[Melisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So delightful!

[Susan Behrendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book on the joy of birding and respecting all of the creatures of the world. It's very encouraging to anyone to is happy to be themselves and respect every living thing.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visually stunning, quick primer on birding and community. I wish it went a little more in depth with some of these topics, but it's meant to be a starting point.