Ga. Audubon job aids community engagement

Georgia Audubon recently announced the hiring of Corina Newsome, one of the organizers of the #BlackBirdersWeek movement, as the new Community Engagement Manager.

In this role, Newsome will work in collaboration with Georgia Audubon’s senior leadership to cultivate strategies and deliver programs that engage diverse communities from across Georgia in the enjoyment and conservation of birds.

“We are delighted to welcome Corina to Georgia Audubon and are eager to begin working to break down barriers that make it difficult for BIPOC, LGBQT+, and other underserved communities to access birding and the outdoors,” said Jared Teutsch, executive director. “Georgia Audubon is committed to making birding more equitable and inclusive …”

Newsome was one of the organizers of #BlackBirdersWeek, a five -day virtual event that was fledged earlier this year in response to the Christian Cooper incident in New York’s Central Park. #BlackBirdersWeek was created to help educate the birding and outdoor-loving community about the challenges that Black birders face, and to encourage increased diversity in birds and conservation.

Having experienced the hurdles faced by people of color, Newsome has founded several programs to encourage young people from underrepresented demographics to consider careers in wildlife sciences. According to Newsome, her ultimate goal is to eliminate the systemic barriers that have prevented marginalized people from participating in wildlife conservation and exploration of the great outdoors.