A birding outing sharpens students’ power of observation
On a bright and early morning in late April, a small band of students from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health set out for the Fenway and the Muddy River to look for birds.
The excursion was led by longtime birder Rose Goldman, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health. And it wasn’t just about birds. Goldman hoped to boost participants’ powers of observation about other things, such as the interplay between the built environment, nature, and climate change. “Do we look, but really not see?” asked Goldman.
On their way to the Fenway, the group talked about a variety of topics. For example, seeing ventilation stacks atop buildings, they discussed whether there might be unhealthy community exposures. Crossing Longwood Avenue, they talked about safety issues for bikers and pedestrians. They also talked about the Muddy River Restoration Project, which aims to prevent flooding and to create a more liveable space for both wildlife and humans, including nature paths, gardens, and playgrounds. One student who gave feedback said it was “awesome to rediscover a familiar environment in a different way.”
Arriving at the Muddy River, the group pulled out their binoculars and spent the next hour or so birding. They spotted robins, catbirds, woodpeckers, mallard ducks, and mourning doves, to name a few. “These excursions, and birding, help us to see and truly observe,” said Goldman. “These are characteristics that carry over into more of our life’s work and experiences.”
