In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Pam Lowell, a social worker, watercolor artist, and author. Pam shares her Spark Bird story, describing how sightings of a quetzal and ospreys ignited her passion for birding and transformed her life.

The conversation touches on the mental health benefits of birding, the intersection of art and environmentalism, and the resilience of ospreys. Pam highlights her volunteer work with Mass Audubon, her book My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist's Journey Towards Hope, Community, and Healing Our Planet and the importance of environmental advocacy. Throughout the episode, the detailed experiences with ospreys are discussed, emphasizing their unique behaviors and the hope they represent for ecological recovery.

Resources & Links from This Episode

Pam Lowell’s Work & Socials:

📖 My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist's Journey Towards Hope, Community, and Healing Our Planet – Read more here

🌍 Pam Lowell’s Website – Visit here

📸 Follow Pam on Instagram – @palwrites

Wild America & RTPI Book Discussion:

📅 Join RTPI for an exciting discussion of Wild America and the books it inspired, led by RTPI Scholar-in-Residence Jenn Lodi-Smith. This four-part program is part of RTPI’s exhibition, Art that Matters to the Planet: Wild America, celebrating the 70th anniversary of this environmental classic.

🔗 Learn more & register here

Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome to the Spark Bird Podcast

00:48 Introducing Pam Lowell

02:12 Pam's Spark Bird Stories

06:05 Birding and Mental Health

09:02 Art, Writing, and Ospreys

20:13 Environmental Advocacy and Community

24:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Spark Bird podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome artist and healthcare professional Tina Mullen. Tina shares her 'Spark Bird' story about how the Sandhill Crane ignited her passion for birds. She discusses her work in the Arts and Medicine program at the University of Florida and the importance of integrating creativity into healthcare settings to promote health and well-being.

The conversation explores Tina's art projects, including her series on bird species decline inspired by a poignant letter to Roger Torrey Peterson. Tina reflects on the power of community, storytelling, and the arts in fostering a deeper connection to birds and the natural world.

Resources & Links from This Episode

Tina Mullen & Her Work
🎨 Explore Tina Mullen’s art: Tina Mullen’s Website

📸 Follow Tina on Instagram: @teenmullen

🎭 Learn about the Center for Arts in Medicine at UF: UF Center for Arts in Medicine

🖼️ See Tina’s exhibition Bellwether: The Art of Tina Mullen at RTPI: RTPI Exhibition

Conservation & Environmental Writing
🌙 Lights Out! Cats In! – Protect birds by learning about this initiative: Learn More

📖 Return to Wild America by Scott Weidensaul: Explore the Book

🦜 Ten Birds That Changed the World by Stephen Moss: Get the Book

🌱 The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Find the Book

Poetry & Journalism
📰 Harry Stevens (The Washington Post): Read More

📝 Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves by J. Drew Lanham: Hub City Press | Read the Poem

✍️ Ada Limón’s Poetry: Poetry Foundation

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally converse with Sara Morris, the Executive Director of Shoals Marine Lab and President of the American Ornithological Society.

Sara shares her 'Spark Bird' story about how a family Christmas tradition and a borrowed bird field guide ignited her passion for birding and ornithology at age seven. The discussion explores the impact of mentorship on her career, her birding adventures, and fostering a welcoming birding community.

The episode also explores the link between birding and ornithology, the significance of field guides, and the necessity for ongoing bird conservation efforts.

🌊 Shoals Marine Lab – A leading institution for hands-on marine science education and research. Learn more here.

📖 Scott Weidensaul’s Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding– Dive into the history of birding with this fascinating book: Read more.

🧭 Explore with eBird – Track your bird sightings and contribute to global bird research with eBird.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the Spark Bird Podcast

00:48 Meet Sara Morris: A Passionate Ornithologist

01:31 Sara's Spark Bird Story

04:36 The Importance of Mentorship in Birding

06:39 Birding Community and Inclusivity

17:48 Ornithology vs. Birding: A Symbiotic Relationship

26:03 The Future of Bird Conservation

36:08 Final Thoughts and Reflections

38:21 Conclusion and Credits