The Intermountain Bird Observatory had the privilege of hosting a remarkable group of visitors today: 30 fellows from the Mandela Washington Fellowship for young African leaders. These individuals, aged between 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders within their communities and countries. Boise was selected as one of the host sites for this fellowship, and our Diane Moore Nature Center location provided the perfect setting for a day filled with insightful discussions and mutual inspiration.
During their visit, we had the chance to visit with the fellows, exchanging ideas about our respective programs, and exploring the connections that birds foster among people across different landscapes. The group had the opportunity to see a number of birds at the banding station: young fledglings, new moms, and fattened adults preparing for migration. Talking about bird migration sparked many discussions as we related to the idea that birds and their movements connect us all, and the habitat they rely on provides the foundation for all of these connections.
A highlight of the visit was introducing the Mandela Washington Fellows to our side channel restoration project. They asked thoughtful questions about our collaborations with local communities, and the ways in which we use school kids and community volunteers to support our conservation efforts. We discussed the importance of community involvement in environmental education, connecting both urban and rural youth to nature and habitat protection through hands-on restoration initiatives. Our team really enjoyed finding these common grounds and learning what these young leaders are doing all around the world to tackle these shared challenges in their own countries.
The fellows concluded their day with a visit to our partners at the Golden Eagle Audubon Society and a trip to the Boise River ReWild habitat restoration site. Here, the fellows helped plant seedlings and saw community-driven conservation efforts in action.
We hope that sharing our work left a lasting impression on these young leaders, inspiring them in their future endeavors. Their enthusiasm and insights certainly inspired us!
