Your Migration Into Meaning: How Your Story Unfolds Here
Daily Agenda (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC -06:00). Times may shift a little as needed.
And still adding stellar voices, such as Miguel Matta from Venezuela. More details available soon.
Thursday, Oct. 23rd
Day 1 — Awe. Impact. Depth.
Discover: "This is bigger than me."
9:00 AM Live kickoff with host Kelly Miller
10:30 AM Live Q&A with a Speaker*
Noon Midday interactive gathering to swap insights and meet the community
5:00 PM Happy Hour & story circle (Bird Trivia, perhaps?)*
Presentations unlocked today
Scott Weidensaul — The grand story of bird migration
Julie Zickefoose — Personal habitats & the individuality of birds
Jon Young — Bird language & ancient wisdom
Friday, Oct. 24th
Day 2 — Clarity. Connection. Practice.
Explore: "I see birds — and myself — in a whole new way."
9:00 AM Live kickoff with reflection prompts
Noon Midday interactive gathering (Q&A and skill shares)*
2:00 PM Live Q&A With a Speaker
5:00 PM Game Night and Community Share (Wingspan, maybe?)*
Presentations unlocked today
Dan Puplett — Tracking & bird language: reading the clues animals leave
Lynn Wickersham — Field presence: attention, breath, and better observing
George Bumann — Sculpting birds to see more deeply
Saturday, Oct. 25th
Day 3 — Hope. Action. Belonging.
Belong: "I’ve found my place in the journey."
9:00 AM Live kickoff with your next-steps roadmap
10:30 AM Live Q&A with a Speaker*
Noon Closing celebration (stories, gratitude, and giveaways)
Presentations unlocked today
Craig Foster (interviewed by Jon Young) — Intimacy with the Wild
Richard Fuller — Flyways, conservation, and what works on the ground
Elizabeth Mills — Watercolor nature journaling at the shore
*Live Q&A and Game Night Sessions Exclusive to VIP Extended Access ticket-holders
Following Migration Across Hemispheres
Scott Weidensaul
Author and Migration Researcher
Scott Weidensaul is one of the most recognized voices in modern ornithology and bird conservation. He has written nearly 30 books on natural history, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist Living on the Wind and the New York Times bestseller A World on the Wing. His forthcoming book, Return of the Oystercatcher (April 2026), highlights global success stories in bird conservation.
Weidensaul’s career reflects both his passion for storytelling and his dedication to hands-on science—bringing to life the wonder of migration and the urgency of conservation.
“Scott Weidensaul ranks among an elite group of writer-naturalists—Bruce Chatwin, John McPhee and David Quammen come to mind—whose straightforward eloquence elevates ecology to the level of philosophy.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review
Personal Habitats, Avian Individuals
Julie Zickefoose
Artist, Writer and Naturalist
Julie Zickefoose is a writer, painter, and naturalist based in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio. Author of Saving Jemima and The Bluebird Effect, her art and words spring from a deep daily relationship with the land and the wild birds she observes, rehabilitates, and celebrates.
At the heart of Julie’s work is the conviction that every bird is an individual — intelligent, responsive, and uniquely alive in its relationship to the world and to us. By tending her own land as personal habitat and sharing her intimate observations through art and story, she invites us to see birds not as background, but as beings with whom we are deeply connected.
"Julie's word pictures are as vivid and eloquent as her art work. When she tells a story, she makes me feel that I'm standing beside her, sharing the experience." —Lola Oberman, author, Dial "B" for Birder
Bird Language and Ancient Wisdom
Jon Young
Author
Jon Young is the Author of What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World. Jon Young has been a birder for 50 years and a pioneer in teaching the “language of birds.” His journey began at age 13, when the alarm calls of nearby birds revealed a fox passing within feet of him — a moment that sparked his lifelong passion for understanding how birds communicate about the world around them, including us.
Jon’s work helps people expand their senses, reduce disturbance, and discover the magic of close encounters with wildlife rarely seen by human eyes. As one listener put it: “Birds talk to each other, we can learn to understand it, and it’s fun!”
At the heart of Jon’s work is the belief that the natural world is always speaking — and that by listening, we awaken to awe and belonging.
"Jon Young is one of the heroes of the new nature movement . . . This elegant book will deepen the kinship between humans and other species. It decodes our common language." —Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle and Last Child in the Woods
Reading Nature’s Hidden Stories
Dan Puplett
Naturalist and Educator
Dan Puplett is a naturalist, wildlife tracker, and educator with more than two decades of experience helping people connect deeply with the natural world. He began his career in ecological restoration with the Scottish charity Trees for Life, where he led over 80 rewilding weeks, before devoting himself to wildlife tracking and nature education. He is the author of two Field Studies Council fold-out guides—British Bird Tracks & Signs and Mammal Tracks and Signs (2nd ed.)—and is currently writing a book on tracking.
At the heart of Dan’s work is the belief that tracking and bird language offer us a privileged glimpse into the lives of other species, awakening our ecological literacy and fostering what he calls “wild diplomacy.”
“It's always a pleasure to explore nature with Dan, whether in deep wilds or closer to home. His quiet but enthusiastic approach helps others to slow down, focus and so notice the subtle signs of birds, mammals and more that are there if you take time to watch, listen and learn. He's an excellent teacher, guide and traveling companion.” —Dr. Kenny Taylor, Writer, naturalist, chair of Scottish Wildlife Trust and former chair of Trees for Life
Sculpting Stories of the Wild
George Bumann
Sculptor, Naturalist, Educator, and Author of "Eavesdropping on Animals"
George Bumann is a professional sculptor, naturalist, and educator based at the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Montana. George’s bronze sculptures are held in collections across the United States and around the world, including permanent installations at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Brinton Museum, the Booth Museum of Western Art, and the C.M. Russell Museum.
Blending scientific training with artistic vision, George invites audiences to see wildlife with both the keen eye of an ecologist and the creative spirit of an artist.
"I enjoy George's work very much. It shows the hand of a true artist and the understanding of an experienced naturalist who captures the moment." —Robert Bateman
Mindful Science in the Field
Lynn Wickersham, M.S.
Avian Biologist & Yoga Therapist
Lynn Wickersham, M.S. is a wildlife biologist and certified yoga therapist who integrates science and healing in her work. As co-founder of Animas Biological Studies, she has led extensive research on threatened bird species across the Southwest, while also building BirdSong Yoga Therapy to support health, resilience, and transformation.
At the heart of Lynn’s philosophy is the conviction that connection to the natural world and connection to self are deeply intertwined. Her teaching invites participants to draw on both ecological science and the tools of yoga to foster well-being—for people and for the birds we strive to protect.
"Lynn listens with her heart as well as her ears to individual needs and concerns to create a thoughtful, customized path of healing. She has a degree of professionalism that I have not experienced in other programs. Lynn’s treatment path has gifted me the tools I need to heal myself physically and emotionally. Thank you, dear Lynn, for caring and helping me grow." —Client, Birdsong Yoga Therapy
Intimacy With the Wild
Craig Foster
Co-Founder, Sea Change Project; Oscar & BAFTA-winning Filmmaker, Naturalist, Author
Craig Foster is an Oscar and BAFTA-winning filmmaker, naturalist, author, and ocean explorer. His films – including the acclaimed My Octopus Teacher– have won more than 150 international awards, and his recently published book, Amphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World, has received global accolades.
Foster is the co-founder of Sea Change Project, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the long-term conservation and regeneration of the Great African Seaforest. For Foster, biodiversity is the key to healing our natural world. It is the immune system of our planet. He says: ‘No continued loss of ecosystems is acceptable for economic gain.
Foster believes that the greatest threat we face is the cooling of the human heart towards nature, and all his work is about inspiring a change of heart.
"What struck me most was Foster’s optimism that humans can find their way back to a symbiotic relationship with nature." —Ambreen Ali, Los Angeles Times on Amphibious Soul
Migration Without Borders
Richard Fuller
Professor of Conservation & Biodiversity
Richard Fuller is a professor of conservation and biodiversity at the University of Queensland, where he leads the Fuller Lab. His research spans ecology, conservation of mobile species, and the human dimensions of conservation, all aimed at finding solutions to avert the global extinction crisis.
At the heart of Richard’s work is the drive to understand both ecosystems and people, recognizing that effective conservation must integrate human perspectives with ecological science. His leadership continues to shape global approaches to biodiversity conservation in a rapidly changing world.
"I met Professor Richard Fuller, and that set me on the fulfilling academic path I’m on today.
My Honours year with Rich was foundational to my research career so far. I clarified to myself that I love research, and learned how to work with big datasets, I decided that this is the sort of work I really enjoy and want to pursue for the foreseeable future." —Nicola Sockhill, PhD candidate in the Fuller Lab
Connecting Seas and Skies
Elizabeth Mills
Freelance Science Communictor and Marine Biologist
Elizabeth Mills is a marine biologist and freelance science communicator who delights in sharing the weirdest and most wonderful stories from our oceans. Known for her playful and creative approach, she has produced more than 300 videos on her YouTube channel MarineMumbles, performed science shows while dressed as a human-sized starfish, and led art-fueled adventures that blend creativity with scientific discovery.
Elizabeth’s presentations inspire people to connect deeply with nature while gaining the confidence to share their own stories and encounters with birds, migration, and the wider natural world. Her joyful approach makes science accessible, memorable, and brimming with wonder.
"Elizabeth was an incredible person to work with. She’s brilliant on camera, bringing enthusiasm and skilled knowledge to everything she does, and has such a talent for making difficult science clear and easy to understand. I can’t wait to work with her again!" —Kaia Bint-Savage, Director and Creator of Britains Bonkers Beasties (The British Film and Television Institute)
Step Into the Story of Migration
Expect to:
Wander the paths of migration with global experts.
Wonder at new ways to see, connect, and care for birds everywhere.
Each day brings a live kickoff, interactive gatherings, evening fun, and new talks you can stream anytime.
PO Box 3152
Durango, Colorado, 81303
United States
Contact Us
kelly@followthebirds.com
+1 (602) 291-7319
Mountain Daylight Time (UTC−06:00)
Follow the Birds is based in the southernmost part of the Rocky Mountains in Durango, Colorado, USA. My favorite migrating bird is the Black Swift, which travels from sheer cliffs in Colorado to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. What's yours? ~ Founder, Kelly Miller