Let's Go Birding Together: Birding Paddle

In honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, join Montezuma Audubon staff for a special birding PADDLE in celebration of the diversity and inclusion of both birds and people. We will explore the many birds that call the Montezuma Wetlands Complex home while taking a 1-mile leisurely paddle along the Erie Canal. Just as all kinds of birds and wildlife are welcome at our center so are all people!

 

June marks the arrival of Pride Month. A time to celebrate and remember the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and many more that make up our beautifully diverse human ecosystem. Celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, and, in the case of Audubon, bird outings! For us that is a kayak paddle! Our Let's Go Birding Together series was founded and organized by Jason St. Sauver, the Community Education Director at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center in Denton, Nebraska. From then on Audubon centers, sanctuaries, and societies across the hemisphere have joined Jason in creating inclusive birding events. 

 

Let's Go Birding Together walks, and paddles, are for everyone who loves birds and the outdoors. We welcome those who identify as LGBTQIA+, allies, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy an inclusive outdoor experience. Why do we do this? Because the outdoors has historically not been a welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ people and Audubon is striving to change that. For more information on these efforts please visit   https://www.audubon.org/news/lets-go-birding-together.

 

We have expanded our equipment library so more participants of varying ability levels can join us, including modified tandem and single kayaks. These modified boats provide outriggers, paddle posts, and adaptive seat accessories. Outriggers (floats attached to the sides of the kayak) enhance stability, great to steady paddlers who have trouble with balance. They make entry/exit safer and reduce the risk of tipping. The paddle posts allow for one-arm control of the kayak and provide support to completely remove the weight of the paddle from the paddler's arms when using both arms. Our adaptive seats add extra lumbar and side wing support for stabilizing the trunk of the paddler and extra comfort while paddling. We also have a transfer bench to provide a flat, smooth transfer surface for seated transfers. 

 

Program Fee: All tickets are $15 and includes the use of our kayaks, personal floatation devices, paddles, binoculars, and bird guides. 

 

Recomended for ages 13 and older. We launch from Rivers Crossing Campground and Marina, 508 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146. Parking is on the grass in front of the launch and boat rack. Multiple bathrooms and a shower are available on site if necessary. 

 

If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know how we can better assist you by reaching out to our Inclusion Point of Contact, Cassidy Attanasio, and cassidy.attanasio@audubon.org.

Please call (315) 365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org for any other questions.