{"id":462999,"date":"2026-10-11T13:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T13:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/462999\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T13:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T13:54:09","slug":"birding-club-keeps-professors-legacy-alive-through-environmental-awareness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/462999\/","title":{"rendered":"Birding club keeps professor\u2019s legacy alive through environmental awareness"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Peter Beck Bird Watching Club<\/a> invites students to explore local wildlife while continuing the legacy of Peter Beck, a St. Edward\u2019s environmental science and policy professor who died in the summer of 2023. The club was formed that summer in honor of his death<\/a> and his contributions to the St. Edward\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Beck\u2019s influence on the university\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lauren Saman \/ Hilltop Views<\/p>\n

Seniors Vel Jimenez and Megan Gomez now lead the club, inviting all students to join their weekly bird walks around campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realized that this is a way to get people to connect with each other and the campus,\u201d Jimenez said. \u201cOftentimes, people see the food forest and campus garden<\/a> or other green spaces for the first time through our club. That connection to nature is really important.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. The walks encourage curiosity, mindfulness and appreciation for the biodiversity that thrives on campus.<\/p>\n

Senior Bart Vallejo, a first-time bird watcher, said the club helped him feel more connected to Austin\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe leaders here are able to identify every species of bird, they are very knowledgeable,\u201d Vallejo said. \u201cI like that they give us binoculars when we all walk together and discuss what we see. I\u2019ve always been a fan of wildlife. I\u2019m new to Austin, so I was excited to see what kind of birds they have here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Students observing a bird in the tree. The club\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n

Attendance averages 12-13 students from a mix of majors and no experience is required. They provide binoculars and guidance for newcomers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe club has opened up a lot of paths for me, and I\u2019ve met a lot of cool people through this club.\u201d Gomez said. \u201cIt gives people the opportunity to connect with each other, walk around campus and find a new opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to social benefits, the club offers the opportunity for students to better understand the ecosystems around them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to learn what\u2019s around us. If we don\u2019t know what exists around us, then we don\u2019t know how to protect it,\u201d Jimenez said. \u201cIn this climate, we are losing biodiversity, so it\u2019s super important that we can foster a connection to the environment, which will help us realize how to protect it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Austin\u2019s location in the Central Flyway<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Lauren Saman \/ Hilltop Views<\/p>\n

The club equips members with bird-identification apps and field guides, helping them contribute to conservation efforts and awareness.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou start learning the species that are around you,\u201d Jimenez said. \u201cBy giving people these tools and species awareness, we contribute to environmental understanding.\u201d Gomez added, \u201cA lot of people don\u2019t realize how much they actually can contribute to the environment in urban settings. You\u2019re able to see all these birds in the city, and the bird club is able to introduce that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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<\/a> session they hosted on Sept. 24. The club also hopes to collaborate with other student organizations to broaden their impact.<\/p>\n

As the birding club grows, its members hope to ensure that Beck\u2019s passion and legacy is remembered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope to keep the spark of bird watching alive,\u201d Jimenez said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lauren Saman \/ Hilltop Views
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