Bird Walk Celebrating Migratory Bird Day

Our theme for this walk on May 10th will be Migratory Bird Day which is perfect because May is peak migration for millions of birds coming through Iowa. In April we already had a theme of journeys which we will continue today along with the idea of work as we just passed Worker's Day on May 1. We will meet a bit earlier than usual to give us a chance to see as many birds as we can.

We will meet at Walnut Woods State Park at the circle turnout that leads to the Bird Watching Blind. The address is: Walnut Woods State Park
3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265. If you can't find us or get lost, you can contact LoraKim at: +19143259574.

During the walk we will have time for conversation, reflections, and quiet, as well as seeking to identify as many birds as possible. There will be plenty of opportunity to learn about birds, and practice the spiritual aspects of watching birds which is without a doubt a wonderful mindfulness practice.

We will do about a 1.5 mile walk, on pavement and slightly uneven trails.

This walk will be led by renown avian conservationist, Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, who is a community minister at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines (https://www.ucdsm.org/) and Codirector of One Earth Conservation ( https://www.oneearthconservation.org). Donations (suggestions of $5) are much appreciated to help cover costs of the Meetup Group. All donations will go towards bird conservation in the Americas. You can donate at the One Earth Conservation donation page: https://www.oneearthconservation.org/donate.

To attend, please make reservations here. Bring comfortable walking shoes, binoculars if you have them, and water and nourishment as needed. Do not attend if you are ill.

We hope you will come because watching birds can lead to greater human satisfaction, happiness, and health. By being aware of birds, we can also grow our ability to focus and to rest in the current moment, as well as grow our compassion and justice centered behaviors to help care for ourselves, others, and the planet. Birds, humans, and the earth are in trouble and with strong connections to the living community around us, we can save ourselves and all life.

Birding for Life walks aim to grow our ability to transform ourselves and our world by watching birds as an intentional mindfulness practice. This is enhanced by an emphasis on our relationships and connections to the humans who join us for the walk and the other species with whom we will interact.