Community Speaker Series
Grow | Center | Connect
The Community Speaker Series is Birds Connect Seattle’s quarterly in-person and live-streamed events that host inspiring guest presenters highlighting their diverse perspectives and experiences with nature, birds, conservation, and environmental justice.
Upcoming Events:
Check back for new Speaker Series events.
Past Events and Recordings:
Aaron Yoon: Avian Astronomy - Birds in the Celestial Sky
Aaron Yoon, Sirius Astronomy
As birders, we are often looking towards the sky. Humans for millennia have also been fascinated by what’s further overhead, in the celestial realm. Aaron Yoon from Sirius Astronomy helped us learn about the birds that are present in the stars and the amazing deep sky objects that can also be found.
Dr. Olivia Sanderfoot: Out of the Fire, Into the Smoke: How wildfire smoke is impacting the health and behavior of birds
Wildfire activity is intensifying globally, exposing people and wildlife to more frequent and intense smoke pollution. Birds are likely to be especially vulnerable to increased smoke disturbance due to their sensitive respiratory systems. Yet, we have much to learn about how wildfire smoke is impacting birds and the ways in which smoke could be contributing to the decline of avifauna. In this talk, Dr. Sanderfoot will share what we know so far about how smoke impacts avian physiology, behavior, and reproductive success and highlight opportunities for you to get involved in critical research on this urgent conservation topic.
This engaging presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Sanderfoot.
___________
Dr. Olivia Sanderfoot (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science and Program Director of Project Phoenix. Olivia is studying the effects of wildfire smoke on birds and other wildlife. Olivia is currently exploring how wildfire smoke impacts bird behavior and shapes species distributions.
Olivia was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin and is proud of her Midwest roots. Olivia is driven by her passion for environmental policy and conservation, her love for birds, and her strong belief in the Wisconsin Idea – the philosophy that a university’s research should be applied to solve problems and improve the health, well-being, and environment of the community it serves.
Angelina Moneir: Climate Anxiety and its Impact Workshop
This fun, interactive workshop and collaborative group conversation was held on May 19, 2025. Participants explored the impact of climate anxiety on our lives and mental well-being. Together we shared and uncovered powerful tools and heartfelt strategies aimed at helping us navigate the waves of climate anxiety that many of us face. This is more than just about coping; it is about building our emotional strength and creating a supportive community full of aspirations as we work towards a sustainable future.
___________
Angelina Moneir is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor – Associate, Art Therapist, and Eco Therapist passionate by the transformative power of art and nature. She believes that the harmonious union of psychology, ecology, and art is imperative in balancing and nurturing our mental well-being while fostering a connection with the earth and a more authentic sense of self.
Dr. Lisa "Cali" Crampton: "Vanishing Voices" film and conversation
This presentation was held on March, 24, 2025, and included a viewing of “Vanishing Voices: Saving Our Hawaiian Forest Birds”. After the film, we were joined by Dr. Lisa “Cali” Crampton, project leader at the Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project for a Q&A and conversation.
Alejandro Rico-Guevara and Alyssa Sargent: Hummingbird Ecophysics
For the final Community Speaker Series event of 2024, we welcomed two University of Washington biologists, Alejandro Rico-Guevara and Alyssa Sargent, who allowed us to explore the extraordinary adaptations that make hummingbirds so remarkable.
Presented at the El Centro de la Raza Centilia Cultural Center on Thursday, November 14, 2024
Purchase a recording of this event here.
Alison Mariella Désir: Athlete, Activist, Television host, and Author
Athlete, activist, television host, and author of Running While Black
at MLK Fame Community Center
Taha Ebrahimi: Street Trees of Seattle
On Thursday, May 16th, Taha Ebrahimi, author and street tree expert presented at the Birds Connect Seattle Community Speaker Series event at South Seattle College Olympic Lecture Hall.
Attendees had the opportunity to consider how Seattle street trees are an important part of both bird and human health in our city.
To purchase your copy of the recording please click here.
Demarus Tevuk: Sustainability from an Indigenous Perspective
On Wednesday March 13th, Birds Connect Seattle welcomed environmental educator Demarus Tevuk to Day Break Star Indian Cultural Center to share her traditional ecological knowledge of native plants and pollinators.
This presentation challenged and broadened our understandings of urban conservation, habitat restoration, and our relationship to native and non-native species in the city. After the presentation, attendees connected with one another to help contextualize the material presented and discussed how some of these new perspectives can be imbedded into the work that we do every day for birds and nature in the city.
To purchase your copy of the recording please click here.
Special Thanks and Sponsors:
The Community Speaker Series is made possible thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous and dedicated member of our community, as well as sponsorship from Anderson Sobel Cosmetic, and Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC. Find out more about how you, or your company, can sponsor an upcoming Speaker Series event. Contact Carol Roll, Director of Development for more information at carolr@birdsconnectsea.org.
Questions and Comments:
Hanae Bettencourt, Community Engangement Manager coordinates the Community Speaker Series. Please email hanaeb@birdsconnectsea.org for questions, commments, or accomodations.