Bring Birds Back | BirdNote

Like many birders, host Tenijah Hamilton discovered her love of birds during the pandemic. Now she invites listeners to join her in appreciating the beauty and mystery of the birds all around us and taking action on their behalf. As Tenijah speaks with bird enthusiasts from many different backgrounds, identities, and communities, listeners learn with her how to bring birds back.

A graphic with the Bring Birds Back artwork on the right side and a photo of Bill McKibben on the left side.

On Time, Age and Climate Change with Bill McKibben

July 5, 2023

This season has been all about the mutual impact birds, humans and nature have on each other. To close it out, Bill McKibben joins us for an honest chat about the future of this dynamic, which inevitably includes the planet Earth. His book debut, “The End of Nature,” first sounded the…

Listen Now

Reimagining Prison Pt. 2: Rehabilitating Butterflies and Minds

June 28, 2023

This is part two of our series on the Sustainability in Prisons Project. We encourage you to listen to Part 1 before listening to this episode. Tenijah learns all about Sustainability in Prisons Project’s most successful program to date: rehabilitating the federally endangered Taylor’s…

Listen Now

A graphic with the Bring Birds Back artwork on the right side and a photo of Lauren Kuehne

Reimagining Prison Pt. 1: Acoustic Birding and Sustainability

June 21, 2023

The American prison system is complex and there are so many reasons as to why and how it could be improved. For nearly two decades, the Sustainability in Prisons Project (a collaboration between Evergreen State College and Washington state’s Department of Corrections) has been doing just…

Listen Now

A graphic with the Bring Birds Back artwork on the right side and a photo of Dudley Edmondson on the left side.

Finding Belonging in the Great Outdoors

June 14, 2023

Nature author, photographer and self-taught birder Dudley Edmondson shares how embracing the great outdoors as a child changed his life for the better. With over 30 years of experience, Dudley has dedicated much of his career encouraging Black and Brown people, especially, to venture into…

Listen Now

Artwork for episode 4 Bring Birds Back, featuring a photo of Isaiah Scott and an illustration of Tenijah Hamilton

Let’s All Go to Gullah Geechee Sea Islands with Isaiah Scott

June 7, 2023

This episode’s guest may be too young to remember the 90’s children’s show, Gullah Gullah Island, but he’s certainly influencing the next generation the same! Isaiah Scott, a rising Gen-Z bird-influencer and ornithologist, reconnects with Tenijah to dish all about his journey into birding…

Listen Now

Artwork for episode 3 Bring Birds Back, featuring a photo of Tony Suffredini and an illustration of Tenijah Hamilton

No Birds Were Harmed in the Making of this Podcast

May 31, 2023

Childhood nostalgia, anyone? Tenijah reminisces about her favorite bird moment in a film and learns all about how it came to be! Our guest this episode is Tony Suffredini, a bird trainer and master falconer, but the real stars are all Hollywood trained professionals – his birds! Tony…

Listen Now

Artwork for episode 2 Bring Birds Back, featuring a photo of Katie Umekubo, Susan Downey, Garry George and an illustration of Tenijah Hamilton

A.I. for Birds: A Lesson on Wind Farms

May 24, 2023

Artificial intelligence is all the rage these days – for better or for worse. Luckily, in the case of our feathered friends, it’s good news! In this episode, Tenijah speaks with three experts (starting with Garry George and Katie Umekubo) about the great environmental gains of wind energy…

Listen Now

Artwork for episode 1 Bring Birds Back, featuring a photo of Corina Newsome and an illustration of Tenijah Hamilton

The Zero Sum of it All with Corina Newsome

May 17, 2023

In the season four premiere, we’re joined by wildlife advocate, ornithologist and (social media star) birder, Corina Newsome! Tenijah speaks with Corina about the latest findings in the State of the Birds report, the impact of environmental racism on urban communities and birds, and the…

Listen Now