Birding to Change the World

A Memoir

By: Trish O'Kane

Narrated by: Cheryl Smith

In this uplifting memoir, a professor and activist shares what birds can teach us about life, social change, and protecting the environment.

Trish O’Kane is an accidental ornithologist. In her nearly two decades writing about justice as an investigative journalist, she'd never paid attention to nature. But then Hurricane Katrina destroyed her New Orleans home, sending her into an emotional tailspin.

Enter a scrappy cast of feathered characters—first a cardinal, urban parrots, and sparrows, then a catbird, owls, a bittern, and a woodcock—that cheered her up and showed her a new path. Inspired, O'Kane moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to pursue an environmental studies PhD. There she became a full-on bird obsessive—logging hours in a stunningly biodiverse urban park, filling field notebooks with bird doings and dramas, and teaching ornithology to college students and middle-school kids.

When Warner Park—her daily birdwatching haven—was threatened with development, O’Kane and her neighbors mustered a mighty murmuration of nature lovers, young and old, to save the birds' homes. Through their efforts, she learned that once you get outside and look around, you're likely to fall in love with a furred or feathered creature—and find a flock of your own.

In Birding to Change the World, O'Kane details the astonishing science of bird life, from migration and parenting to the territorial defense strategies that influenced her own activism. A warm and compelling weave of science and social engagement, this is the story of an improbably band of bird lovers who saved their park. And it is a blueprint for muscular citizenship, powered by joy.

©2023 Trish O'Kane (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Surprisingly good memoir

Memoir of a Katrina-survivor, teacher, economist, bird loving woman who found her way through adversity and loss through a love of birds. The more she learned about the birds the more she saw the need to fight for the protection of their natural habitat. An activist was born!

It surprised me that I stuck with this, but I’m glad I did, as I actually enjoyed it. I have tremendous respect for this woman.

charming story

A pleasant way to learn all sorts of interesting information while becoming engaged in a heartwarming story.

A good book to listen to if you are interested in a peaceful and gentle read.

Wonderful memoir of a woman’s life and nature’s wonder

I really enjoyed listening to the author’s story of how she became an animal and park activist, and all the amazing bird facts along the way. Recommended!

Very persistent nature people

I really like the way the characters in this book worked relentlessly to achieve their goals. I actually listen to it twice because I just like the way the story was told.

Not just for bird lovers but for everyone

I loved this book….great storytelling. A compelling read about the natural world and how to protect it. A great handbook for environmental activism. Thank you Dr O’kane.

Inspiring and instructional

I loved this book. I’m not a birder- I enjoy the beauty of birds, but don’t go looking for them. I deeply appreciate how the author seamlessly combines ornithology with memoir and social and environmental justice. And teaching. I highly recommend this book.

Inspiring and Fun Listening

I’ve loved birds for about 55 years so I could relate to the author’s passion. I am somewhat of an introvert though, so could not be the amazing bridge builder, mentor and community leader that she has been. Still, I hope to apply at least some of what I learned from this book and maybe help make the world a better place for it. I recommend this book!

Great memoir!!

Such a wonderful story - some sad parts - but great to know people like this exist in the world!

Educational, life changing, emotionally uplifting

Immediately I searched for other works by this author and swore to my self I would, even at this later stage of my life, to get out there and get involved.

So much good and interesting information about birds throughout the story.

I want to preface my review with the fact that most of my reading is in the fiction genre. Following the author’s life path, while learning about birds with a spattering of other nature, was an interesting path to take. I very much enjoyed the details of her experience with hurricane Katrina and the initiation of her interest in birds. I think I just found the time in Wisconsin to drag at some points, though perhaps I was looking too much for a story rather than information.