(by Zoe Dawson)
February is Black History Month – a time to honor and reflect on hundreds of years of Black history and heritage throughout the United States.
New Hampshire’s African and Black heritage is estimated to date back to the mid-1600s, particularly based in Portsmouth, with some people here as slaves and others navigating free society. This is an often-overlooked part of our state’s history; learn more by visiting experts at the Black Heritage Trail in Portsmouth for a tour, program, or exhibit viewing. Engage virtually with a large variety of their resources including articles about NH Black History Stories and the film Shadows Fall North that challenges viewers to examine “New Hampshire’s history of slavery, segregation, and the neglect of African American history.”
Consider further immersing yourself in Black History Month contemplations by visiting the African Burying Ground Memorial Park in Portsmouth, where you can engage in urban birding activities while reflecting on the intersectionality of the environmental world with social injustices that continue to happen to the Black community. For example, you may be familiar with the incident involving Christian Cooper, an avid birder in New York City who was harassed because of his race while trying to enjoy and protect nature in Central Park. He wrote about this experience in “Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World, ” now available in our nature stores.
NH Audubon recognizes that people of color may not feel safe or welcome in nature, and we are striving to remove barriers to make nature inclusive, accessible, and joyful for all people. We hope you’ll explore these resources to celebrate and learn about Black history, this month and beyond, as we do the same as an organization. Stay tuned for information about our annual birding outing for Black Birders’ Week in May!