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‘I had no one to bird with who wasn't 20 years older than me’: Meet the Gen Zers who transformed grandma’s hobby into an analog craze
Ian Bell was 15 the first time he went looking for birds in Central Park alone in 2021, waking most mornings before school to walk the park with a pair of binoculars, oftentimes the only teenager doing so.
TL;DR
- Birding participation among 25-to-34-year-olds has quadrupled since 2016.
- Technology, like the Merlin app, is making birding more accessible to beginners.
- Young people are drawn to birding for its sense of community and mentorship, often citing 'spark people' rather than 'spark birds' as their initial motivation.
- The National Audubon Society has seen a surge in young supporters and a growth in campus chapters.
- Birding offers a way for young people to connect with nature and find belonging in a digital age.
- Existing birders often mentor newcomers, creating a welcoming environment that fosters learning and camaraderie.