March 31, April 13,  April 28

Watching birds can lead to greater human satisfaction, happiness, and health. By being aware of birds, we can also grow our ability to focus and to rest in the current moment, as well as grow our compassion and justice centered behaviors to help care for ourselves, others, and the planet. These walks aim to grow our ability to transform ourselves and our world by watching birds as an intentional mindfulness practice. This is enhanced by an emphasis on our relationships and connections to the humans who join us for the walk and the other species with whom we will interact. Our walks will be open to spontaneous conversation, identifying birds, and enjoying their behavior while also following Rev. Dr. LoraKim's facilitation with questions, readings, and gentle nature practices. Walks are in the morning, usually on the weekends, ranging from 1-2 hours.

March 31st:  Sunrise Celebration Bird Walk, Gray’s Lake, 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

This is our first Birding for Life Walk of 2024. We will be celebrating the coming of Spring, the Equinox, Ostara, and Easter by greeting the sun as she rises over all the earth. As we gather, we will see the fading morning starts and be able to hear and see the first birds of the morning. During the walk we will have time for conversation, reflections, and quiet, as well as identify as many birds as possible. There will be plenty of opportunity to learn about birds and practice the spiritual aspects of watching birds which is without a doubt a wonderful mindfulness practice.

We will do about a 2-mile walk, most of it on pavement, but we might walk some very short segments on grass. If you'd like to participate but aren't sure about how you'd do, please contact me so we can make other arrangements.

Watching birds can lead to greater human satisfaction, happiness, and health. By being aware of birds, we can also grow our ability to focus and to rest in the current moment, as well as grow our compassion and justice centered behaviors to help care for ourselves, others, and the planet. Birds, humans, and the earth are in trouble and with strong connections to the living community around us, we can save ourselves and all life.

Birding for Life walks aim to grow our ability to transform ourselves and our world by watching birds as an intentional mindfulness practice. This is enhanced by an emphasis on our relationships and connections to the humans who join us for the walk and the other species with whom we will interact.

This walk will be led by a renowned avian conservationist, Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, who is a community minister at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines (https://www.ucdsm.org/  ). and Codirector of One Earth Conservation (http://www.oneearthconservation.org). Donations are much appreciated to help cover costs of the Meetup Group - all donations will go towards bird conservation in the Americas. You donate at the One Earth Conservation donation page: https://www.oneearthconservation.org/donate.

To attend, please make reservations here. Bring comfortable walking shoes, binoculars if you have them, and water and nourishment as needed. Do not attend if you are ill.

 We will meet at the Grays Lake Concession Stand on the southwest side of the park at 6:30 a.m. Check back here for any updates if we need to change plans due to the weather. If you can't find us or get lost, you can contact LoraKim at: 914-325-9574.

April 13th Birding for Life Walk at Bill Riley Trail, 9:00-10:30 a.m.

This is our second bird walk of the spring season 2024. We will meet at the “Centers Trails Access” which is the parking lot at the Greenwood Ashworth swimming pool at 102 45th Street.

April 28th Birding for Life Walk at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, 7:30-9:00 a.m.

We will meet at the lower parking lot off of Druid Hill Drive. The congregation is located at 1800 Bell Drive, Des Moines.