People who bird watch really love to bird watch, but it doesn't have the reputation as the most inclusive pastime. Enter Jason Ward. He's opening up the world of birding with a new documentary series on Topic. "Children in general tend to gravitate towards imagery that they can relate to," he told WNYC’s cultural critic Rebecca Carroll. "So I want to be able to create that pathway for young kids who look like I do to feel emboldened to pursue a career in conservation."  

Ward also talked about what it's like to be a black man birding in the suburbs ("it's something that I am constantly thinking about as I'm out in the field — something as minuscule as how quickly I take my binoculars from out of my  backpack") to how to keep his excitement tamped down when he spots a great bird ("it's tough... but eventually you learn to do so out of necessity, because if you do bring your party externally you'll scare the bird away.")

Listen to the conversation by clicking the play button above, and watch an episode of his series below.