What we’re about
We will be walking and watching birds, while also learning to foster deeper, healthier connections to ourselves, others, wildlife, and the earth. Watching birds can lead to greater human satisfaction, happiness, and health. By being aware of birds, we can also grow our ability to focus and to rest in the current moment, as well as grow our compassion and justice centered behaviors to help care for ourselves, others, and the planet. Birds, humans, and the earth are in trouble and with strong connections to the living community around us, we can save ourselves and all life.
These walks aim to grow our ability to transform ourselves and our world by watching birds as an intentional mindfulness practice. This is enhanced by an emphasis on our relationships and connections to the humans who join us for the walk and the other species with whom we will interact.
Though led by renown avian conservationist, Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, the hope is that we build a just and compassionate community together made up of those who respond to this form of mindfulness practice.
Our walks will be open to spontaneous conversation, identifying birds, and enjoying their behavior while also following LoraKim's facilitation with questions, readings, and gentle nature practices.
As I am new to Iowa I'd enjoy meeting others who enjoy and know about the birds in this area.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Bird Walk Celebrating Winter SolsticeBill Riley Trail, Des Moines, IA
This is our second Birding for Life Walk celebrating our fall and winter residents and visitors. Our theme for this walk will be winter and darkness as this day is the Winter's Solstice and the shortest day of the year. We will be thinking about how birds survive the winter (and us too!). Perhaps, again like us, they know that Spring is coming!
During the walk we will have time for conversation, reflections, and quiet, as well as seeking to identify as many birds as possible. There will be plenty of opportunity to learn about birds, and practice the spiritual aspects of watching birds which is without a doubt a wonderful mindfulness practice.
We will do about a 1.5 mile walk, most of it on pavement.
This walk will be led by renown avian conservationist, Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, who is a community minister at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines (https://www.ucdsm.org/) and Codirector of One Earth Conservation ( https://www.oneearthconservation.org). Donations (suggestions of $5) are much appreciated to help cover costs of the Meetup Group. All donations will go towards bird conservation in the Americas. You can donate at the One Earth Conservation donation page: https://www.oneearthconservation.org/donate.
To attend, please make reservations here. Bring comfortable walking shoes, binoculars if you have them, and water and nourishment as needed. Do not attend if you are ill.
We will meet at the “Centers Trails Access” which is the parking lot at the Greenwood Ashworth swimming pool at 102 45th Street. Check back here for any updates if we need to change plans due to the weather. If you can't find us or get lost, you can contact LoraKim at: +19143259574.
We hope you will come because watching birds can lead to greater human satisfaction, happiness, and health. By being aware of birds, we can also grow our ability to focus and to rest in the current moment, as well as grow our compassion and justice centered behaviors to help care for ourselves, others, and the planet. Birds, humans, and the earth are in trouble and with strong connections to the living community around us, we can save ourselves and all life.
Birding for Life walks aim to grow our ability to transform ourselves and our world by watching birds as an intentional mindfulness practice. This is enhanced by an emphasis on our relationships and connections to the humans who join us for the walk and the other species with whom we will interact.
- A Spiritual Retreat and Bird Walks with Sandhill Cranes in Kearny NebraskaKearny Nebraska, shelton, NE
This weekend will have a variety of events and you can come to any or all. Please reserve here and we will contact you with the exact schedule as March approaches. We begin on Friday evening with a shared meal in Kearny, Nebraska. Our first crane encounter will be very early Saturday morning, March 15th. We will then breakfast together and afterwards visit various areas to see birds and reflect on the abundance of life. Sunday morning will be an optional time to see birds as well (depending on the weather). There are also other events by other groups during this weekend.
If you are interested you should reserve a hotel now as this is a popular destination during the month long Crane Festival in March (for both people and cranes!). Around 500,000 sandhill cranes migrate to the Platte River in Kearney, Nebraska each year. This migration is considered one of the most spectacular in the world. The cranes arrive in the area from mid-February to mid-April to prepare for their long journey north to their breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska
Every birdwalk has a theme, and today's will be how watching birds can connect us to life, and how the abundance of beauty can help us live in gratitude with a sense of awe and wonder.
During our times together we will have time for conversation, reflections, and quiet, as well as seeking to identify as many birds as possible. There will be plenty of opportunity to learn about birds, and practice the spiritual aspects of watching birds which is without a doubt a wonderful mindfulness practice.
These bird encounters will be led by renown avian conservationist, Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, who is a community minister at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines (https://www.ucdsm.org/) and Codirector of One Earth Conservation ( https://www.oneearthconservation.org). Rev. Dr. Meredith Garmon, Interim Minsiter at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, and Zen Buddhist teacher will also offer insights. Donations (suggestions of $5) are much appreciated to help cover costs of the Meetup Group. All donations will go towards bird conservation in the Americas. You can donate at the One Earth Conservation donation page: https://www.oneearthconservation.org/donate.
To attend, please make reservations here. Bring comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing, binoculars if you have them, and water and nourishment as needed. Do not attend if you are ill. Please reserve here so we can send you updates and inform you if there is inclement weather.
We hope you will come because watching birds can lead to greater human satisfaction, happiness, and health. By being aware of birds, we can also grow our ability to focus and to rest in the current moment, as well as grow our compassion and justice centered behaviors to help care for ourselves, others, and the planet. Birds, humans, and the earth are in trouble and with strong connections to the living community around us, we can save ourselves and all life.
Birding for Life walks aim to grow our ability to transform ourselves and our world by watching birds as an intentional mindfulness practice. This is enhanced by an emphasis on our relationships and connections to the humans who join us for the walk and the other species with whom we will interact.
