The Peter Beck Bird Watching Club invites students to explore local wildlife while continuing the legacy of Peter Beck, a St. Edward’s environmental science and policy professor who died in the summer of 2023. The club was formed that summer in honor of his death and his contributions to the St. Edward’s environmental science and birding community. His influence inspired the creation of a space where students could carry forward his passion for environmental awareness and community.
Beck’s influence on the university’s environmental science program inspired students to create a space where they could connect with nature and each other. His legacy now lives on through weekly bird walks and other birding themed events on campus.
Lauren Saman / Hilltop Views
Seniors Vel Jimenez and Megan Gomez now lead the club, inviting all students to join their weekly bird walks around campus.
“I realized that this is a way to get people to connect with each other and the campus,” Jimenez said. “Oftentimes, people see the food forest and campus garden or other green spaces for the first time through our club. That connection to nature is really important.”
Each Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., members meet to observe and label birds while contributing their findings to citizen-science databases, such as iNaturalist. The walks encourage curiosity, mindfulness and appreciation for the biodiversity that thrives on campus.
Senior Bart Vallejo, a first-time bird watcher, said the club helped him feel more connected to Austin’s environment.
“The leaders here are able to identify every species of bird, they are very knowledgeable,” Vallejo said. “I like that they give us binoculars when we all walk together and discuss what we see. I’ve always been a fan of wildlife. I’m new to Austin, so I was excited to see what kind of birds they have here.”
Students observing a bird in the tree. The club’s leadership team helps new bird-watchers notice and converse about the birds they spot, helping newcomers learn more about their surroundings. (Lauren Saman / Hilltop Views)
Attendance averages 12-13 students from a mix of majors and no experience is required. They provide binoculars and guidance for newcomers.
“The club has opened up a lot of paths for me, and I’ve met a lot of cool people through this club.” Gomez said. “It gives people the opportunity to connect with each other, walk around campus and find a new opportunity.”
In addition to social benefits, the club offers the opportunity for students to better understand the ecosystems around them.
“It’s important to learn what’s around us. If we don’t know what exists around us, then we don’t know how to protect it,” Jimenez said. “In this climate, we are losing biodiversity, so it’s super important that we can foster a connection to the environment, which will help us realize how to protect it.”
Austin’s location in the Central Flyway makes it a unique location to spot migratory birds, especially in the spring. Students often see white-winged doves and northern mockingbirds on campus, among many other species. Bird sightings are usually clustered in vegetation-rich areas on campus, such as the Claire Kolodzey Memorial Garden and the green area near the operations building.
Lauren Saman / Hilltop Views
The club equips members with bird-identification apps and field guides, helping them contribute to conservation efforts and awareness.
“You start learning the species that are around you,” Jimenez said. “By giving people these tools and species awareness, we contribute to environmental understanding.” Gomez added, “A lot of people don’t realize how much they actually can contribute to the environment in urban settings. You’re able to see all these birds in the city, and the bird club is able to introduce that.”
With Elijah Wostl, associate professor of biological sciences, serving as their new faculty adviser, the birding club plans to expand its reach through off-campus birdwatching field trips and continuing to hold bird-related events such as the nature journaling session they hosted on Sept. 24. The club also hopes to collaborate with other student organizations to broaden their impact.
As the birding club grows, its members hope to ensure that Beck’s passion and legacy is remembered.
“We hope to keep the spark of bird watching alive,” Jimenez said.
Lauren Saman / Hilltop Views