The Lawrence Public Library is proud to announce that J. Drew Lanham is coming to speak in Lawrence on May 24. Lanham connects storytelling, wit and land ethics to advocate for greater participation in the natural world — especially among people of color. His presentation, “Range-Mapping: Connecting the Conservation Dots for the Human Animal” will be held at 7 p.m. May 24 at Liberty Hall.

He is a conservation ornithologist, naturalist, and hunter-conservationist; Drew is also an Alumni Distinguished Professor and Alumni Master Teacher at Clemson University in South Carolina.

photo by: Lawrence Public Library Staff

J. Drew Lanham. Photo via the author; background photo via Shirley Braunlich.

Reading his award-winning book, “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair With Nature,” has heightened my awareness that most other people out on the nature trails have white skin like me. Lanham poetically describes the phenomenon of the uncommon black or brown companion birders. He shares lyrically written stories of deep connections to family, his strong sense of place, a passion for nature, optimism and humor, along with the frustration of being the uncommon African-American ornithologist in a predominantly white field.

photo by: Lawrence Public Library Staff

Lanham is a terrific ambassador who inspires more people to enjoy the natural world, yet he also recognizes the empowerment shared by people with similar cultural experiences.

“Birding While Black” is a poignant chapter in his book reflecting fears similar to the negative experiences expressed by the phrase “driving while black”. A black man risks being accused of suspicious activity simply for being out in a remote environment.

Lanham writes:

The wild things and places belong to
all of us. So while I can’t fix the
bigger problems of race in the United
States–can’t suggest a means by which
I, and others like me, will always
feel safe–I can prescribe a solution
in my own small corner. Get more
people of color ‘out there.’ Turn
oddities into commonplace. The
presence of more black birders,
wildlife biologists, hunters, hikers,
and fisher-folk will say to others
that we, too appreciate the warble of
a summer tanager, the incredible
instincts of a whitetale buck, and the
sound of wind in the tall pines. Our
responsibility is to pass something on
to those coming after.

As young people of color reconnect
with what so many of their ancestors
knew–that our connections to the land
run deep, like the taproots of mighty
oaks, that the land renews and
sustains us–maybe things will begin to
change.

This is a rallying cry to help more people connect to the outdoors, and I am inspired by his message. I will be reaching out to be more inclusive in planning future nature-related events. As a board member and volunteer with the Kansas Native Plant Society, I have organized and attended many outings over the last 18 years; almost all the folks who have joined me have been white. We need to be ambassadors to bring more kids and adults together from diverse communities to explore and connect with natural places.

I crave being outside in nature, but I was well into my 30s before I first enjoyed a wild environment. I wish someone had taken me under their wing to share wild places when I was a kid. I will be following Lanham’s lead; when I visit a natural area I will respectfully invite old and new friends of different ages, varied hues and diverse origins to go along. I hope you will join me in this effort, and together we will exponentially increase the advocates for the natural world.

Learn more about Lanham’s talk on May 24 here.

— Shirley Braunlich is a readers’ services assistant at the Lawrence Public Library.