Due to Covid19 gathering restrictions, this event has been restructured to an online format

Back-up Plan: roughly 1 hr

RSVP to get the link to join the event. If you can not make the live event, you will be sent a recording afterwards.

Join Sonya Richmond and Sean Morton for this online presentation that is an introduction to the world of birding. Learn about birds in your own backyards - who are they and what makes them so special? Sonya will also discuss iNaturalist and Seek as a means for youth to utilize their cell phones to collect data and connect with nature. This is a family friendly event with time for a Q&A session.

Short Biography and Synopsis

Sonya Richmond completed an undergraduate degree in Biology and Environmental Resource Science, as well as a MSc in Watershed Ecosystems Management at Trent University before going on to earn a PhD from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto.  After this she completed her post-doctoral research at Birds Studies Canada and began work as a Geographic Information Systems Analyst. She has presented at professional and academic conferences, published peer reviewed articles and more recently has worked on analyzing the Bird Breeding Atlases for British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. 

Sean Morton is a professional landscape and architecture photographer who has had his images published in trail and nature magazines across Canada, and won a number of photography awards.  His current project is photographing the length of the Great Trail, showcasing Canada’s culture diversity and natural beauty. 

Between 2014 and 2018 the two of us have hiked across Ontario on the Bruce Trail, ventured across Spain on the Camino Frances, trekked across France on the Via Podiensis, and hiked the length of Portugal on the Camino Portuguese.

Staring on June 1^st, 2019 we began hiking across Canada along the 24,000 km long Great Trail, formerly the Trans Canada Trail, promoting diversity in outdoor activities and striving to inspire youth to reconnect with nature through birding and Citizen Science.  So far we have trekked more than 3300 km across Newfoundland, Cape Breton and Nova Scotia, as well as Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and into Quebec!   Throughout 2020 we will be continuing our #hike4birds along The Great Trail resuming in Riviere Du Loup and trekking through Quebec, Ontario and into Manitoba. 

In our presentation we share stories of our time on The Great Trail, the world’s longest recreational trail, and we highlight how easy it is to get outdoors, be an explorer, and enjoy nature – whether in your own backyard, the backwoods, or in the Boreal Forest.  In addition, we talk about Important Bird Areas, share six steps people can take to help birds, and note a few free Apps, such as iNaturalist, that people can use to become involved in conservation through Citizen Science.  In particular, we highlight Citizen Science as a way for youth to bridge the divide between their digital landscapes and the natural one, and focus their screen time towards making a difference to birds and wildlife. Finally, offer some suggestions to nature groups on how to improve their outreach, diversify their membership, and engage younger participants.

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