Christina Burnham

I bird because it’s fun! Birding cuts through the noise of daily life and offers an alternative rhythm that rewards patience and observation. It gives truth to the old adage, “the slower you go, the more you see.” Bird-A-Thon offers a chance to connect people to conservation through the joy of birding. It shows how paying attention to birds can open a door to understanding bigger environmental changes and inspire action.

Growing up in North Carolina, I learned early how much birds can tell us about the landscapes we share. Their songs marked the changing seasons, and their presence or absence reflected the condition of the habitats around me. Their beauty and behavior bewitched me then, but what continues to inspire me now is their sheer tenacity! I have followed birds across continents and into some of the harshest climates on Earth, most recently Antarctica with Point Blue. There, I study population dynamics, foraging behavior, and the impacts of climate change, using penguins and other birds as vital indicators of ecosystem health.

I am thrilled to be participating in Point Blue's 47th annual Rich Stallcup Bird-A-Thon! The goal is to identify as many bird species as possible in a 24-hour period between September 15 and October 15. Please consider helping me reach my fundraising goal by making a donation or by pledging a dollar amount based on the number of bird species I see.

Thank you for your generous support and help in spreading the word. To learn more about Point Blue Conservation Science and their climate-smart conservation initiatives, visit their website at www.pointblue.org.

You can make a pledge per bird species or a one-time donation on my individual fundraising page. You can donate online by clicking "donate" above, or mail a check made out to Point Blue Conservation Science to ATTN: Rich Stallcup Bird-A-Thon, Point Blue Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Dr STE 11, Petaluma, CA 94954 (please include my name in the memo line).