FLOCK TOGETHER: THE BUDDING BIRDWATCHERS EXERCISING AGENCY AND RECONNECTING WITH NATURE
Art/Culture
FLOCK TOGETHER: THE BUDDING BIRDWATCHERS EXERCISING AGENCY AND RECONNECTING WITH NATURE
Lockdown has rendered us all with more time on our hands, for some this has meant time to get out there a bit more, to explore what we have right on our doorsteps. For Flock Together, that’s exactly the case, they’re a POC birdwatching collective that’s reconnecting young Londoners with the wealth of wildlife awaiting them across the capitals’ parks and open spaces.
The collective has big goals, from inspiring underprivileged children to setting up global foundations across other metropolitan areas, the sky is the limit for a group encouraging us to Flock Together. But underpinning it all is a sense of agency and a desire to increase the representation of nature lovers of colour in the media and in society. We caught up with founders Ollie and Nadeem to learn more about the group, their motivation for setting it up, and their goals for the future.
Words:
Luc Hinson
Imagery:
Zaineb Abelque & Tom Shotton
BB: Why did you two decide to start Flock Together?
FT: We started Flock Together because nature is amazing and our people feel, for whatever reason, that it is a space not to be occupied by us. Flock Together actively challenges that notion which is rooted in racial preconceptions.
BB: Bird-watching and nature in general in this country are overwhelmingly white spheres, why did you feel the need to start Flock Together?
FT: You’ve answered your question there, it is incredibly important to have visibility in all of these areas so we can make sure these spaces are accessible as possible. No single person or group owns the great outdoors.
BB: Lockdown has driven us all to look a bit closer to home for inspiration and peace, was the lockdown a catalyst behind getting Together We Flock Started?
FT: The lockdown afforded time to gain momentum for personal endeavours. Who knows when we would next have such an abundance of time. With that time we were forced to face up to so many global issues, we all need space to gain perspective. It was an opportunity to go again but go better.
BB: Christian Coopers’ experience in a NYC park serves in part as a harrowing reminder to us all how white these spaces are, how do you think we can best improve access to, and the representation of POC in wildlife?
FT: By being visible. Media representation of people in the outdoors must be diversified and we must also, as a people, be comfortable in branching out beyond the possibilities many of us have become comfortable with.
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WE HOPE TO NORMALISE NON-WHITE PEOPLE IN COUNTRYSIDE AND RURAL AREAS AS WELL AS PROVIDE A SUPPORT NETWORK FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE PRESSURES OF “URBAN” LIVING
PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAINEB ABELQUE
PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAINEB ABELQUE
PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAINEB ABELQUE
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THROUGH BRINGING POC TOGETHER WE GAIN UNITY AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PROGRESSION OF ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING
BB: What has been your favourite sighting to date? Where was it, why was it your favourite?
FT: Our favourite sighting, as a group, must be the Great Spotted Woodpecker, in Richmond Park. This was the first time the group collectively stalked a bird and did nothing but admire it for minutes on end. A very special moment.
BB: What are you hoping to achieve through Flock Together?
FT: We hope to normalise non-white people in countryside and rural areas as well as provide a support network for people affected by the pressures of “urban” living. Through bringing POC together we gain unity and this is something that is fundamental to the progression of absolutely everything. We have big plans.
BB: Have you got any tips on how to get started for the budding nature enthusiast out there?
FT: Any budding naturalist should begin in their garden. Even the smallest of outdoor spaces can support a number of species. Insect habitats are always a good place to start.
BB: What are your hopes as a group for the rest of 2020 and beyond?
FT: We hope to be able to extend ourselves to underprivileged children and young people across the capital as well as setting up a global foundation for other cities to do the same.
BB: How do we go about attending a Flock Together nature walk? When do they happen and where?
FT: Follow us on Instagram @flocktogether.world and hit the DM. We are always happy to hear from newcomers.
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