Sara’s Story: Healing Grief Through Birding

Photo courtesy of Sara Rocero

by Sara Rocero, Board Member

There are moments in life when grief feels unbearable. For me, that moment came when my sister passed away, leaving behind three young children. Soon after, my mother needed lifesaving surgery. As an undergraduate at UW Bothell, I found myself overwhelmed by loss and struggling to cope.

In the midst of that darkness, I took an ecology class focused on birds. Despite my grief, something sparked. Birding became more than a class—it became a lifeline. Walking the campus trails, I found peace in the rustle of wings and the songs in the trees. Birds offered a sense of calm and resilience I couldn’t yet find in myself.

Each new species I spotted was a small step toward healing. Birding helped me see the world with new eyes—more aware, more connected. And I realized I wasn’t alone. Grief, stress, and burnout are universal, but not everyone has access to the tools that helped me cope.

Today, I serve as a Habitat Restoration Project Manager, and I remain deeply grateful to the birds—and the people—who helped me along the way. That’s why I support Birds Connect Seattle. They make birding accessible to all through free walks, nature outings, and community events, while advocating for conservation rooted in science.

But these programs depend on generous donors like you.

Will you make a gift today to help someone else experience the healing power of birds?

Your donation can help a grieving person find peace, a child discover wonder, and a community come together through nature.

“Birds became my refuge, their presence a reminder that life could continue, even in the face of immense loss.”

-Sara Rocero