We're excited to welcome Judy Levings to Iowa Young Birders as the newest member of our Board of Directors! Learn more about Judy below.

Current town: Ames, Iowa

Home town: Perry, Missouri

What sparked your interest in birds/nature? 

My family had a rustic cabin on the Salt River in Missouri where everyone - aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends would meet most weekends to fish and boat. Fishing bored me, so I would do other things: walk, make forts, explore caves, and hunt for insects and salamanders. In high school, I took an advanced biology where the most marvelous teacher, Mr. Gibbs, introduced us to a huge taxonomic key on the Plants of Missouri. I traversed the county, searching for any kind of plant to identify. Birding didn’t happen until I took Ornithology from Dr. Dinsmore. Something about getting to handle tiny colorful creatures caught in mist nets hooked me. 

What is your favorite bird? 

Maybe the Prothonotary Warbler- isn’t this one a stunner, it’s reclusive so you usually have to work hard to find one. When you do, your day is brighter. 

What is your favorite birding/outdoor space?

Any place with undisturbed habitat - I travel a lot, so my favorite is the next Audubon site, National Wildlife Refuge, Yucatan ruin, or a friend's backyard where I get to share space with birds. 

Do you have young birders in your family?  

Yes, I do. My granddaughter is a birder extraordinaire. Coupled with her artistic and photographic abilities and easy-going mindset, she is a natural.

How did you first learn about Iowa Young Birders?  

We belong to the American Birding Association and there was an article about the Young Birders Association. When I was at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt looking for a Prothonotary Warbler, I saw a group of youth and their families birding. I was told they were on an Iowa Young Birder’s field trip.  Ah, ha!

What motivated you to become an IAYB Board Member? 

I reached out to the organization to offer to volunteer.  After a nice discussion, it was suggested that my talents might reside in serving as a Board member.  

Why do you feel exposing kids to birds and nature is important?  

Developing the next generation of environmentalists or conservationists who have a land ethic is essential for our future.  Children can develop a land ethic in a myriad of ways, but exposure to the outdoors on a repeated basis with caring adults has the most chance of success. Birding is fun and can act as a hook. I think the beauty of the IAYB activities is that they are family-oriented, so our volunteer guides can provide tips and ideas for parents to feel more comfortable in the outdoors. If parents feel comfortable and know where to take their children outdoors, they will more likely repeat these field trips with their children - to parks and other outdoor spaces and programs.