Letter from the President
As the president of Piedmont Virginia Bird Club, I will make a statement with regard to my support for Black Birders. This is in part to provide the background to what I shared this past week about #BlackBirdersWeek on our Facebook page. On Monday, May 25th, Christian Cooper, a birder, and Audubon Board Member, was threatened in Central Park, New York because of his race. This event easily could have led to the kind of situation that occurred when George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery were killed. This is very serious and I believe #BlackLivesMatter. And as relates to birding, it is my fervent desire that our club be a safe and welcoming space for Black Birders. But there is much for us all to learn and improve. Listening to Black Birder’s voices is critical. Listed below is one of the birders who I am listening to and following:
- Dr. J Drew Lanham has conducted a number of great interviews and his book is excellent. https://milkweed.org/book/the-home-place
Sincerely,
Guy L Babineau
Club President
edited Jnuyary 2022
