Who we are

A Vermillion Flycatcher hunting in the front yard in 2011 sparked a love for birding in Lindsey (they/them) and they've been all about birds ever since. Lindsey's interest in accessibility was born out of their experiences as a physics teacher, and their passionate pursuit to increase access and remove barriers to learning for their students. They have a Master of Arts in Education and were awarded the Arizona Science Teachers Association's Novice Science Teacher of the Year in 2022. Currently, Lindsey is the Workforce Development Trainer for the Western National Parks Association, where they partner with the National Park Service to advance education, interpretation, research, and community engagement to ensure national parks are increasingly valued by all. They live in Tucson, Arizona with a librarian, 2 cats and 2 retired greyhounds.

Growing up in rural Southwest Alabama, Joe (he/him) spent much of his childhood outdoors: building shelters, climbing trees and exploring the woods. His interest in conservation grew as he volunteered with the Sierra Club in the 1990s.

He became a birder and passionate about eco-tourism, helping write the legislation that created Alabama’s scenic byways program. He works on many statewide tourism projects, including the Alabama Birding Trails project, and he served for three years as president of Alabama Audubon (2016-2019), and currently serves as the VP of Programs. He was elected to the National Audubon Society Board of Directors in 2019, representing 6 Southeastern states.

Joe's interest in accessibility stems from a long-standing desire to make birding in Alabama more accessible and inclusive for everybody, including his wife, Ann, who has multiple sclerosis.

Maggie Dewane (she/her) is a writer and filmmaker who has traveled to all seven continents to understand climate change, conservation, and how both are impacting people. She has contributed to the Huffington Post’s climate series, “End of the Earth” and produced a short film on climate, “In Search of the Adelie Penguin." She co-hosts a wildlife podcast, The Watering Hole, and leads "Birds of Maine Islands" annual camp at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine. She currently works for the Center for Progressive Reform.

Previously, Maggie has worked for the Marine Stewardship Council and Environmental Investigation Agency, as well as the White House Council on Environmental Quality and United States Senate. She holds an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a BS in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University.

Maggie is the daughter of avid birders, both of whom have disabilities that have at times inhibited their love of bird-watching and adventuring. Inspired by their love of the outdoors and unwavering determination, Maggie joins Birdability for them and the communities they represent.

Taylor (she/her) grew up outside of Washington DC and went to the College of William & Mary where she majored in biological anthropology. After graduating, she moved to Argentina working as a field research assistant studying tufted capuchin monkeys. She fell in love with biological field research and moved back to the states to get her master’s degree in neuroscience & animal behavior from Emory University. Continuing down the path of conservation education, Taylor started working in the education department at Zoo Atlanta. In a lucky twist of fate, Taylor got the opportunity to move into the Bird Department as a keeper at Zoo Atlanta and that’s when she fell in love with birds. Taylor moved to Tucson 3 years ago with her husband, cat, and dog and has been able to combine her love of birds, conservation, community engagement, and education as the Volunteer & Education Manager with Tucson Audubon Society. She believes that birds and the outdoors are for everyone and is passionate about making the birding & conservation world more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible.