Birdability Presents: The Joy & Empowerment of Accessible Birding

Discover how birding can be accessible, welcoming, and rewarding for people of all abilities. In this session, you'll learn how accessibility can expand opportunities to connect with nature, what to look for in accessible outdoor spaces, and how to use the Birdability Map to find birding locations that meet a variety of access needs. We'll also explore adaptive birding equipment, mindful birding practices, and ways to create a more inclusive birding community. Birdability, an REI Fund grant partner, is a nonprofit organization that works to make birding and outdoor spaces more welcoming for people with mobility challenges, visual or hearing impairments, and other health concerns. Whether you're an experienced birder or just getting started, you'll gain practical tools and perspectives for enjoying nature and helping others do the same. About our speaker: Virginia Rose is the founder of Birdability and a passionate advocate for accessible outdoor recreation. After becoming paralyzed in a horseback-riding accident at age 14, she discovered birding more than two decades ago and was inspired to help make the birding community more inclusive and accessible.