Black Birders Week 2026
Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Saturday, May 30, 2026
Ticket Price: Free, but space is limited. Registration required.
Age: All Ages
Founded in 2020, Black Birders Week is an annual celebration that highlights the intersection of birds, people, and environmental justice. The annual event celebrates Black birders, naturalists, scientists, and outdoor enthusiasts, and advocates for the inclusion, safety, and visibility of Black people in birding and outdoor spaces.
This year’s theme, Flyways & Freedom: Advocacy, Action, and the Future, honors the pathways birds have always followed and the freedom of movement they represent. It asks us this important question: what could freedom look like if we moved through the world without barriers?
Join us in May for a week of birding programs that explore this idea through learning, community, and exploration!
FREE, but space is limited. Registration required.
1. Black Birders Week Kickoff Talk & Boat Tour
Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Saturday, May 23, 8 am – 9:30 am
Learn about Black Birders Week, then take a boat tour on the Anacostia River.
Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Wednesday, May 27, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Join a park naturalist for a birdy-ful evening paddle through wetlands and tributaries along the Anacostia River.
3. Beaks, Feet, & Feathers Boat Tour
Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Saturday, May 30, 2 – 3 pm
Board our pontoon boat to explore common birds in the Anacostia Watershed.
4. Bird Research: M.A.P.S
Patuxent River Park
Saturday, May 30, 9 – 10 am
Join hands‑on bird research with wildlife experts working to protect breeding bird populations along the Patuxent River.
Watkins Nature Center
Saturday, May 30, 1 – 1:45 pm
Learn about raptors during a live training and flight demonstration.
Contact Info:
Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Email: Bladensburgwp@pgparks.com
Call: 301-779-0371
