Spark birds are a great way for communities to come together and learn more about each other and outreaching to new birders!

Schedule yours today! Programs can be done virtually or in person. They typically last about an hour with about 10-15 minutes to introduce the project then time for attendees and/or selected individuals to share their stories. Depending on the extent of sharing, there can be example stories from spark bird participants and/or discussion of key themes and findings based on what was shared during the program. The program closes with time for discussion of the benefits of birding and opportunities for the birding community as well as questions folks might have about the project. Fees include travel and lodging for in person programs whenever possible but we can also work to coordinate travel with other groups and obligations. An honorarium is appreciated for virtual and in person programs. Alternative arrangements can always be made for small non-profits and donation is waived for young birder groups and partner organizations! Flexible on scope of travel and timing. Interested in learning how to lead a spark bird program? Contact us today!

Virtual Programs & In Person Programs Available

August 2025: The Spark Bird Project will be at the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival. Visit https://tucsonbirds.org/festival/ for more info and to register!

June - December 2025: The Spark Bird Project will lead the Wild America Book Read series for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute! Visit https://rtpi.org/events/wild-america-book-read/ for all dates and books!

May 4, 2025: May the Spark Be with You walk with FBC Buffalo at Forest Lawn! 

Past Programs

• April 3, 2025: The Spark Bird Project was with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

• March 13 & 15, 2025: The Spark Bird Project was at Aradar Galleries in NYC on March 13 and Stubblefield Photography and Fine art in Jersey City on March 15. 

• March 1, 2025: The Spark Bird Project was at the Buffalo Audubon Society.

• February 12, 2025: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with the University of New Hampshire's Field Ornithology class! 

• February 7, 2025: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with Birdability for an artistic workshop with John Muir Laws to create art around spark bird stories! 

• January 27, 2025: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with the SUNY ESF Guy A. Baldassarre Birding Club! 

• January 23, 2025: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with Birdability for a writing salon to create spark bird stories! 

• December 19, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with The Nature Journal Workshop with Wild Wonder! 

• October 27, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was part of Birdability Week 2024! 

• September 28, 2024: TSBP was part of Xperience for All at the Adirondack Experience.  

• Monday, April 29, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was with the Birdability Captains! 

• Tuesday, April 16, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was be part of the Great Salt Lake Audubon's Birds & Bites series. 

• Saturday, April 13, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was part of the first Buffalo Bird Festival at the University of Bufflao. 

• Monday, March 18, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with Feminist Bird Club Chicago. 

• Tuesday, March 5, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with Michigan Audubon. Michigan Audubon members can access the recording of the program through their member portal. 

• Wednesday, January 31, 2024: The Spark Bird Project was virtual with Central Westchester Audubon and Saw Mill River Audubon. It was great to hear the stories from this intergenerational group!

• December 2, 2023: The Spark Bird Project was with Earth Spirit at the Park School of Buffalo for a member's owl prowl event! Earth Spirit & Park School are a central part of the origin story of The Spark Bird Project!

• Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023: The Spark Bird Project was part of the lunchtime paper sessions at the 2023 New York Birders Conference. For more information about the conference visit https://www.nybirders.org/ 

• Saturday, July 15, 2023: The Spark Bird Project was the feature talk of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute Summer Soiree event.
  Saturday, June 3, 2023: The Spark Bird Project was part of the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage! To learn more visit https://www.alleganynaturepilgrimage.com/

• Friday, May 4, 2023: Roger Tory Peterson Institute hosted a virtual program about The Spark Bird Project with a special feature of learning more about the spark bird experiences of artists featured in their “Hope is a Thing with Feathers” exhibit. You can learn more about the event at https://rtpi.org/events/spark-bird-program-with-jennifer-lodi-smith/ and visit https://vimeo.com/827355808 to see the recording.

• August 9, 2022: Hog Island Audubon Family Camp

Interested in having a program about The Spark Bird Project for your organization or event?  Reach out to project director, Jenn Lodi-Smith, at lodismij@canisius.edu to set up in person or virtual programming.