In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Nina Hale, a Minneapolis-based artist and activist who transforms birdsong into hand-beaded bracelets.

Nina shares her art and passion for birding, as well as her experience living in Minneapolis during the recent federal immigration surge, which has brought thousands of ICE agents into the city. As communities mobilized in response, Nina became actively involved by joining neighborhood patrols, supporting local networks, and using her art not only to remember the birds that have been lost but to stand with those fighting for justice now.

(Pictured above: The Ivory-billed Woodpecker Birdsong Bracelet Nina shared during the episode.)

Links & Resources from This Episode

🧵Discover Nina's handcrafted designs and the birds behind the beads at the Birdsong Bracelets website.

📸 See her latest designs on Instagram @birdsongbracelets.

📱Follow Nina's personal Instagram account @helenahandbskt for more birding content and community updates.

📝The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal representation in Minnesota and North Dakota.

💜Stand With Minnesota offers a vetted directory of organizations supporting the people and communities directly impacted. If you're unable to donate, consider sharing these efforts, talking with your community, and staying informed.

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Mel Julien, the Community Engagement Director for the NYC Plover Project.

Mel shares how the Piping Plover became her spark bird after rediscovering the beach near her childhood home during the pandemic. What began as a curiosity about shorebird nesting signs soon led her to volunteer with the NYC Plover Project and eventually join the team working to protect these endangered birds on New York City's beaches.

Links & Resources from This Episode

📸 Follow Mel's birding and conservation journey on Instagram at @meldjewels and connect with her professional work on LinkedIn.

🏖️ Learn more about the NYC Plover Project, whose mission is to protect endangered Piping Plovers and other beach-nesting birds on New York City's beaches through education, community, and volunteer engagement.

📱 Stay up to date with the NYC Plover Project's work and shorebird updates by following them on social media–Instagram (@nycploverproject), Facebook, X, and Threads.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Angela Schumpert, also known as The Berd Nird! What began as casual backyard birding turned into a moment that sent her reaching for her first field guide.

Drawing on her background in the Air Force and law enforcement investigation, Angela shares how attention to detail, patience and observation naturally translate from her career into the art and joy of building The Flock.

Links & Resources from This Episode

🦜 Join Angela's online birding community, The Flock, for meetups, contests, and birding trips!

🌿 Learn more about Angela and explore her resources at her website, The Berd Nird.

📸 Follow Angela's birding adventures and humor on Instagram @the_berd_nird.

🎥 Watch more of her content on TikTok at @berdnird4

▶️ Subscribe to her YouTube channel, @theberdnird.

👍 Connect with Angela on Facebook.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski