Taking Flight
Founded in 2019, Taking Flight is an educational initiative to foster an environmental ethic among youth to inspire the next generation of leaders.
We harness multimedia approaches to bridge the diverse ornithological perspectives of students, scientists, artists, architects, writers, photographers, podcasters, and more. In our society, the stereotype of a birder is an elderly, white, affluent, cisgender male, obsessed with an eccentric, esoteric pastime. Taking Flight strives to radically transform this image by making birding accessible, exciting, popular, and, most importantly, a path to climate action. We envision a world where anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere is a birder—a world where every birder is a climate activist.
This is a grassroots mission to revolutionize the future one young birder at a time. Soar with us!
Finalist in The World Around’s Young Climate Prize Cycle 02
Meet the Team
Karinne Tennenbaum
Founder, Executive Director
karinne.tennenbaum@new.ox.ac.uk
Karinne is a scientist, educator, and storyteller. She fell in love with the world of birds in second grade through the elementary Science Olympiad event “Feathered Friends.” In high school, she joined her local birding chapter. She strives to empower young birders, raise awareness of avian conservation, and strengthen science communication efforts worldwide. She hopes Taking Flight can spark a cultural change in the birding community and make a difference to young birders globally.
Erica Yu
Associate Director
Inspired to go into ecology and earth sciences while volunteering to do avian surveying at Freshkills Park in Staten Island, New York, Erica believes that birding is one of the many gateways into the natural world. Although she is currently working to understand other parts of Earth, birding will always have a special place in her heart. Erica hopes that, through Taking Flight, other young birders can see how beautiful the world really is.
Shannon Hong
Operations Lead
Shannon’s love for birds began in middle school when she discovered that such tiny feathered creatures are living descendants of dinosaurs during a field trip. Since then, her fascination with all things avian has grown into a passion for research, conservation, and science communication. In high school, she pursued the ornithological division in Science Olympiad, bird research projects, environmental center volunteering, and wildlife rehabilitation in Nassau County. Through Taking Flight, Shannon hopes to share her love of birds and encourage others to see the value in conserving avian populations.
Past Leaders:
Michelle So
Michelle has been birding since middle school and loves spending her early mornings listening and learning from these beautiful creatures. She believes conservation should be a priority for human and planetary health and looks forward to seeing Taking Flight soar.
Why are birds important?
Birds are beautiful sentinels of ecosystem health that captivate us all with their incredible diversity and fascinating behavior.
Tragically, seven years ago, a Science paper reported that in the last 50 years, we’ve lost three billion birds—nearly one-third of the planet’s birds.
What can we do?
Habitat loss is the greatest threat, which is exacerbated by climate change. To bring birds back, we need everyone’s help.
We also have a few other ideas…
Projects
Explore our 13 projects, past and present, below:
- Young Birders United Conference (YBUC)
- Young Birders United (YBU)
- The Bower
- Rockin’ Robin Benefit Concert
- Perch N’ Pour
- Birdability Week 2025 at Yale
- Cranes of Yale
- Taking Flight in Print
- “Birding 101” Workshops
- Bins 4 Birders (B4B)
- Michigan Young Birders Network
- Ornithological Society of Pioneer (OSP)
- Taking Flight Podcast
Young Birders United Conference (YBUC)
Location: Virtual
We are thrilled to share that the inaugural Young Birders United Conference (YBUC) will take place on Saturday, August 29th at 11 AM – 6 PM EST (8 AM – 3PM PT | 10 AM – 5 PM CT).
The YBUC is a free virtual gathering of young birder representatives to celebrate, connect, and collaborate in the establishment of young birder chapters. We have three wonderful Keynote Speakers: Mackenzie Hollender, Isaiah Scott, and Lorena Patrício.
The conference will feature presentations from state chapters and workshops on building community and ensuring sustainability. All are invited—young birders with/out chapters, parents of young birders, young birder supporters… There is no limit on the number of young birders that can participate from a single chapter or state. Here is the registration form. It is due Saturday, August 22nd. All individuals must register to participate.
We have a limited number of state chapter presentation time slots and will be prioritizing chapters who asked to present in our previous interest form (due July 22nd). All other slots will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Thus, if you are interested in presenting on behalf of your chapter, we encourage you to select “Yes” on the corresponding question in the appropriate registration section and submit the form soon. We will do our best to accommodate as many chapters as possible. Additional details on presentations are listed in the registration form. Please note that presentation slides are due by Saturday, August 15th.
Follow us on Instagram @takingflightproject for updates.
Young Birders United (YBU)
Location: United States of America
Approximately 96 million people in the US (>35% of the nation’s population aged 16 and over) closely observed, fed, or photographed birds; visited public parks to view birds; or maintained plantings and natural areas around the home for the benefit of birds. That means that a third of American adults are birdwatchers.
However, the world’s youth are the next environmental decision-makers—the planet’s first responders. Yet, according to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, less than 14% of American birdwatchers are under 25.
In June 2026, we launched Young Birders United (YBU), our most ambitious project yet. YBU is a campaign to establish young birder chapters nationwide. First, we created a map of young birder chapters across the country. It is live with 36 active chapters across 26 states.
We are working to launch new chapters in states without groups. Please let us know if you would like to add your group to the map and/or update your group’s location/biography. If you and/or your members are willing, please reach out.
Also, we are always looking to feature young birders and their stories on the YBU map site. If you are interested, please send us the following:
- Headshot (optional)
- Brief biography (including state, age, club/group/Audubon society affiliation)
- Personal quote (e.g., about your start in birding, your chapter, what birding means to you, advice for young birders)
The Bower
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
There are 23 species of bowerbirds across 8 genera, all of which build bowers, nest-like structures used for courting females. Male bowerbirds often collect shiny, colorful objects to decorate the bowers. Interested female bowerbirds sit inside these structures, while the males perform in front of them.
In December 2025, we created a storytelling exhibit featuring a human-sized bower and community-donated romantic symbols to reflect on the meaning of attraction in both the avian world and society today. The project was supported by a Morse College Creative and Performing Arts Grant ($500) and conducted with guidance from Lawrence Wilen and Jason Nuttle, staff at the Yale Center for Engineering, Innovation, and Design.
We created a bower fit for humans using wood, copper wire, and pillows. We then invited students to obtain a bird’s-eye view by sitting in the bower and reflecting on their own beliefs about romantic traits. Students also contributed to a “What Attracts You?” wall of sticky notes. The notes included “sweetness,” “kindness and consideration,” “ambition,” “love songs,” “smiles,” “good sense of style,” “confidence,” and “hope.” On the first day of the exhibit, we held a reception with 20+ visitors who sat inside the Bower, “danced” for their friends, and shared stories about their loved ones.
Rockin’ Robin Benefit Concert
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
Photos by Elio Wentzel, Yale College ’27
In November 2025, we coordinated a musical group charity performance centered on birdsong(s). The concert included performances from Yale Gospel Choir, Cadence at Yale, Yale Mariachi, Yale Russian Chorus, Yale Klezmer Band, La Orquesta Tertulia and the Yale Spizzwinks.
“One of the first things that really inspired the concept was that birds sing, people sing, can we do something with that?…We decided to bring those elements together because we know people here are excited about music, so let’s make them excited about music and just add in the element of being excited about birds.”
Erica Yu, Yale College ’28, as reported in the Yale Daily News
We reached out to musical and a cappella groups on campus to volunteer their time to raise money for the Menunkatuck Audubon Society, New Haven’s local chapter of the National Audubon Society. All groups performed two to three numbers, with at least one piece involving birds, whether in the form of a lyric or the song title. In place of tickets, attendees donated at least three dollars to Menunkatuck. During intermission, a member of each group participated in a bird calling challenge. Bird calls from an array of different species would be played, and the members had to best replicate them.
“I knew that this year, I wanted Yale Gospel Choir to be more service-oriented so we were looking for more gigs for either benefit concerts where we would just show up and sing…This was a good cause aligned with our vision, so I thought it’d be great for us.”
Iyanu Nafiu, Yale College ’27, as reported in the Yale Daily News
In total, we had 76 performers, an audience of 133, and raised $550 for the Menunkatuck Audubon Society.
Check out the program and watch the full concert below.
The project was also featured in the Yale Daily News.
Perch N’ Pour
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
In November 2025, we laser-engraved bird-trivia-themed coasters for distribution in butteries, late-night campus cafes, to engage students in avian conservation efforts. The project was supported by a Saybrook College Creative and Performing Arts Grant ($500). We placed five unique coasters in all 14 residential colleges (70 in total).
Students could submit their answers via QR codes on the back of the coasters to be named “Perch N’ Pour” champion. Dahlia Kordit, Yale College ’28, won. Due to their popularity, the coasters were donated to the butteries.
Birdability Week 2025 at Yale
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
In October 2025, in collaboration with students from the American Sign Language program at Yale University, we led an American Sign Language bird walk for Birdability Week 2025—one of only two events in the state. We also conducted the first Birdability survey in New Haven, Connecticut, documenting accessibility of Grove Street Cemetery.
We learned some new signs for birds!
Cranes of Yale
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
In April 2025, in collaboration with the Yale Birding Student Association and the Japanese American Students Union, we led “Cranes of Yale,” a month-long interdisciplinary program bridging Japanese culture and crane conservation. The project was funded by the Environmental Humanities Grant Program ($1,000), an effort by Yale to engage a wider public on environmental issues through humanities-oriented projects.
According to Japanese legend, if you fold 1000 origami cranes, you’re granted one wish (Senzabazuru, 千羽鶴). We have two wishes: (1) bring birds back and (2) connect people to birds. And so, we set out to fold 2,000 cranes. Cranes of Yale consisted of four main parts: an origami workshop, a global crane conservation workshop, late-night public folding tables, and a campus-wide scavenger hunt.
Origami Workshop:
Natsume Wu, Yale College ’26 and then secretary for the Japanese American Student Union, led the origami workshop in the Poorvu Center, the hub of teaching and learning at Yale University. In Japanese culture, cranes are considered to be auspicious creatures and an international symbol of peace and hope in challenging times. She taught interested students about the Japanese origins of origami and demonstrating how to fold the paper cranes.
Global Crane Conservation Workshop:
On April 15th, we invited Katie Fernald, wetland and rangeland ecologist from the International Crane Foundation, to lead the global crane conservation workshop at the Yale Peabody Museum. Of the 15 crane species worldwide, four are threatened. Fernald works in Texas on the wetland habitat of Whooping Cranes, working specifically with private landowners to create hospitable spaces to promote the conservation of this species.
You can watch the full workshop below.
Late-Night Public Folding Tables:
For ten days, through both workshops, we ran late-night public folding tables where students could help us reach our crane count. We also launched an Instagram page (@cranesofyale) to spread the word.
Campus-wide Scavenger Hunt:
On April 20th, we hid a total of 1,330 cranes across 27 different buildings for a scavenger hunt to encourage students to explore new parts of campus. We also hid golden cranes, each worth 25 “standard” cranes. Five teams of five students competed and all participating students won prizes—field guides, artwork, online birding courses, merchandise, and binoculars—donated by our generous partners, including the International Crane Foundation, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Bird Collective, the Yale Peabody Museum, Wild Birds Unlimited, and Claire’s Corner Copia.
Karinne was invited to discuss the project at the Spring 2026 Welcome Back Reception and Humanities in Action Panel.
The project was also featured in the Yale Daily News.
“I feel that Cranes of Yale is so important in helping raise awareness about endangered birds and what role they play in our lives…Engaging a bunch of people with a scavenger hunt is such an awesome way to show people both the cultural significance of cranes across the world and also expand the idea of birds and birding to a broader audience.”
Zakariya Bouzid, Yale College ’28, as reported in the Yale Daily News
Taking Flight in Print
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
In March 2025, in collaboration with the Yale Birding Student Association, we hosted “Taking Flight in Print,” a week-long photography exhibition featuring work by student birders. The exhibition was supported by a Saybrook College Creative and Performing Arts Grant ($500). A reception was held on the first night of the exhibition to celebrate participating students and create space for them to share stories behinds the photos.
See the featured photos by Daniel Havlat, Julien Amsellem, Max Steinberg, Karinne Tennenbaum, Paloma Lenz, Michelle So, Isabel Rancu, and Helen Shanefield below.
“Birding 101” Workshops
Location: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
Since 2023, through Splash at Yale, we have led biannual, hour-long workshops on birding basics to middle and high school students. We have run eight classes thus far, reaching 178 middle and high school students in the Greater New Haven area.
Next workshop:
“Birding 101” on 25 July 2026, 4-4:50pm EDT, grades 8-12, hosted virtually through Rainstorm Summer 2026 (Teachers: Erica Yu, Karinne Tennenbaum) (total: 20 students, teacher: Erica Yu, Karinne Tennenbaum)
Past Workshops:
“Build-A-Bird” on 15 November 2025, 2:30-3:30pm EDT, grades 7-10, hosted in-person through Splash at Yale (total: 15 students, teachers: Karinne Tennenbaum, Erica Yu, in collaboration with the Menunkatuck Audubon Society)
“Birding 2.0” on 15 November 2025, 11:10am-12:15pm EDT, grades 6-9, hosted in-person through Sprout at Yale (total: 16 students, teachers: Karinne Tennenbaum, Erica Yu, Owen Robertson)
“Birding 101!” on 4 October 2025, 10-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, 1:15-2:15pm, 2:30-3:30pm EDT, grades 7-10, hosted in-person through Splash at Yale (total: 39 students, teachers: Karinne Tennenbaum, Erica Yu, Owen Robertson)
“Birding 101: DIY Birdfeeders” on 5 April 2025, 2:10-3:10pm EDT, grades 8-12, hosted in-person through Sprout at Yale (total: 12 students, teachers: Karinne Tennenbaum, Erica Yu, Michelle So)
“Birding 101: DIY Birdfeeders” on 2 March 2025, 2:30-3:30pm EDT, grades 7-10, hosted in-person through Splash at Yale (total: 20 students, teachers: Karinne Tennenbaum, Erica Yu, Michelle So)
“Birding 101!” on 9 November 2024, 10-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, 1:15-2:15pm, 2:30-3:30pm EDT, grades 7-10, hosted in-person through Splash at Yale (total: 40 students, teachers: Karinne Tennenbaum)
“Birding 101!” on 5 October 2024, 11:10am-12:10pm, 1-2pm EDT, grades 6-8, hosted in-person through Sprout at Yale (total: 16 students, teachers: Karinne Tennenbaum, Erica Yu, Michelle So)
“The Sky’s the Limit: An Introduction to Birding!” on 11 November 2023, 10-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, 1:15-2:15pm, 2:30-3:30pm EDT, grades 7-8, hosted in-person through Splash at Yale (total: 20 students, teacher: Karinne Tennenbaum)
Bins 4 Birders (B4B)
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
In January 2022, in collaboration with the Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance, we launched “Bins 4 Birders” (B4B) through the Sustaining Ann Arbor Together (SA2T) Grant Program ($2,000). The grant enabled the purchase of seven Vortex Diamondback binoculars, a Vanguard Vesta spotting scope, and a Magnus tripod to strive to broaden participation in birding and to eliminate the cost of professional equipment.
Since the launch of this program, the Ornithological Society of Pioneer (OSP) grew to include over 100 members across the school district and engaged Ann Arbor residents in the wonder and joy of birding, encouraging them to engage in environmental sustainability to protect their feathered friends. More students have recruited for and participated in local bird counts like the annual Swifts Night Out, Christmas Bird Count, and May Count. Furthermore, through OSP’s leadership, the binoculars have been fundamental in teaching ornithological principles to both elementary students preparing for the annual Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad “Feathered Friends” event and high school students preparing for their AP Biology exam.
Read our full report below.
Michigan Young Birders Network
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
In June 2021, in collaboration with Jessica Decker, Evan Reister, and Michigan Audubon, we co-founded and co-led the Michigan Young Birders Network, a group of young birders across the state of Michigan. We met for monthly meetings, wrote blog articles, and created social media content (@miyoungbirders). Many young birders in the network participated in the annual Michigan Young Birders Camp.
Ornithological Society of Pioneer (OSP)
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
In September 2020, in collaboration with Sydney Bunce, we founded the “Ornithological Society of Pioneer,” a student-run, districtwide high school club promoting youth birding and avian conservation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Over three years, the club grew from 5 to 115 birders. Weekly meetings were dedicated to learning new birds and preparing for local bird counts. On weekend walks, we recorded our sightings on eBird and posted them on Instagram (@o.s.pioneer). We also conducted the state’s first Birdability surveys and created the curriculum for the 2022 Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad “Feathered Friends” event. The club smoothly transitioned into its second and third generation of student leadership.
“I basically found my way into OSP by just hearing about it. I had been doing bird watching my whole life so I decided to join. When we did the workshop for the elementary feathered friends students, that probably had the most impact, interacting with the students and also being able to teach them more about birds in a fun and engaging way.”
Adeline Munson, OSP President, Pioneer High School Class of 2026
Taking Flight Podcast
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
In June 2020, during the quarantine era of the COVID-19 pandemic, we created a novice birding podcast—also called “Taking Flight.” It brings together bird lovers from novices to fanatics in the hopes of increasing interest in birding and spreading awareness about important issues in the birding community. Specifically, the podcast aims to attract young birders who are looking to expand the role birds play in their lives. Each weekly episode covers a particular birdwatching skill, species group, or a discussion with an exceptional individual in the field.
The podcast has 12 episodes with 880+ listens across 33 countries and 6 continents.
Listen on Pocketcasts, Podchaser, and Spotify.