WE ARE A DIVERSE, AMBITIOUS, AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY WHO WANTS TO MAKE THE BIRDING WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
Our Mission
The Birding Co-op is a grassroots organization that promotes inclusivity in the global birding community by creating accessible travel experiences that foster meaningful connections among birders and nature enthusiasts while supporting communities through responsible tourism practices, advocating for social liberties, and advancing science-based environmental changes.
How We Do It
Fostering Community
Supporting Each Other
A New Take on Tours
Announcing our first annual Optics Drive
Join Us!
By joining the Birding Co-op, you’ll become a part of our network of members who are working to make the birding world more accessible and inclusive.
Joining the Co-op means you are joining our efforts to better the birding world by fostering meaningful connections and real changes to make our community more accessible and inclusive. In addition, Co-op members will receive discounts on our global Experiences (launching in 2021), receive invites to virtual and in-person member events, and receive exclusive content from our partners. Most importantly, you’ll have opportunities to share your voice and make an impact in the global birding community. We’re proud to offer memberships for just $24/year to cover administrative costs for the Co-op.
Announcing our Newest Partnerships
Icaro Birding
Creating bilingual activities to connect English- and Spanish-speaking birders
Uganda Women Birders
Supplying optics and creating community events to connect with upcoming women birders and guides in Uganda
El Salvador Birding
Supplying optics and creating community events to connect with the emerging birding community in El Salvador
An Innovative Online Community
Using the Power of Conversation to Make Real Changes
We believe that there is power in conversation to connect with others, share ideas, and foster change. Our online community is a space for Co-op members and partners to work together and making the birding world a better place.
Experiences Launching in 2022
A New Take on Birding Tours
What Experiences Are
What They Aren't
The Colombia Experience
With Icaro Birding and Colombia Birdfair
February 2022
The Costa Rica Experience
The Montana Experience
With Glacier Birding Adventures
June 2022
The Oregon Experience
With Hannah and Erik Go Birding
September 2022
Join The Birding Co-op
More Ways to Get Involved
Become a Partner
Make a Donation
Where Your Money Goes
We aim to be completely transparent with how your funds support The Birding Co-op. The Co-op is in the process of receiving 501(c)(3) nonprofit status—meaning that we are dedicated to provide a public benefit, not to maximize profits. Your membership dues first go to our operating costs—including legal and business fees; website, Community, and digital costs; and related bills. Beyond that, we use our funding to provide support to our partners. The Co-op works with our partners in many ways, including support in our community and on-the-ground services on Experience and at festivals, and in some cases, we will provide monetary support, too.
It takes an immense amount of time and effort to build and maintain the Co-op and its partnerships, and we have big dreams for this organization to grow. We are currently volunteer-driven, but we’re aiming to build a small staff in 2021 to make the Co-op the best it can be. Our members and donations will help to fund our future staff to increase our partnerships and the scope of the organization.
The Co-op is for everyone—we mean it. As a nonprofit, the costs of joining help us with operating costs, and extra funds provide support to our partners. However, if the cost of a membership prohibits you from joining the Co-op, you can instead join for free, no questions asked. This is made possible by donations. If you’d like to donate to help others join this community, click here.
The Birders Who Started the Co-op
Andrew
Bird Illustrator, County Lister, Tile Guy
Christina
Bird artist, Writer, Naturalist
Erik
Podcaster, Bird Nerd, Volunteer Firefighter
Erro
Ornithologist, Photographer, Outdoor Enthusiast
Hannah
Podcaster, Hotelier, Tourism Professional
Joshua
Bird guide, Photographer, Science Nerd
Mollee
Consultant, Creator, Bird Nerd
Co-op Board of Directors