Vivian Nguyen

My Birding Journey: From Burnout to Building Community

Many (MANY) moons ago, I started my bird journey on the beaches of Cape Cod, interning with the USFWS to teach the public about shorebirds long before birds became cool on TikTok ;). The changing seasons took me across the country, counting birds in Colorado to Arizona to Montana—until I hit a wall. I was burnt out and broke, and I stopped birding almost entirely. So I traded in my binoculars for a cubicle. The lesson was clear: sometimes turning your passion into a paycheck can drain the joy right out of it.

When I moved to DC in 2019, I spent time thinking about how I could actively contribute to this vibrant community in a way that works for me—without burning out, feeling too cynical about the current state of politics, and actually doing something that has an impact.

Last year, I found Feminist Bird Club (FBC), and everything just took flight!

You don't have to attend every protest, donate to every cause, and sign every petition on the internet to be in community. Because being a part of FBC is not traditional activism, it's something more rooted, more sustaining. Our community is about connecting through mindfulness, joy, and love for the wonders of the world (both big and small). It’s a space where you can help build a better world through birding, and you don't have to sacrifice your spirit to do it.

Feminist Bird Club helped me fall in love with birds again—not as work, but as a way to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty around me. This spring, I joined the leadership team to help grow the very community that helped me get back outside!

I'm excited to be a part of Feminist Bird Club's Birdathon for Birders of Palestine! Birders of Palestine is an independent project fundraising to support Palestinian birdwatchers.

Please help me reach my goal by leaving a flat donation or making a pledge to support my birding efforts! It's small, but my goal is to see at least 25 bird species during the Birdathon. Your support will help provide critical funds to birders and their families as they try to survive genocide and ethnic cleansing, and encourage their love for birding.

You can also support the Palestinian birders and their families directly by purchasing a print on the Birders of Palestine website. Submit your receipt here and note that your purchase is to support my fundraising campaign!

Thank you for considering and stay tuned for my birding updates! 🐦