ADELAIDE QUEER BIRDERS
SPORT AND RECREATION AWARD
NOMINATED FOR
Adelaide
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How would you describe yourself or your work in one sentence?
AQB is a community of bird enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels who identify as queer or queer allies.
Tell us a little about what you do
AQB contributes to community resilience with access to nature and to low-stakes, accessible community activities. We hold community events for people to spend time outdoors, make new friends and share knowledge about birds and nature, while exploring Adelaide's green spaces. Our casual approach encourages slow exploration, deliberate observation of the world around us and respectful interactions with each other without needing special skills, abilities or equipment.
What impact or achievement are you most proud of this year?
With 14 birding catch-ups and three special member events in 2025, AQB quickly hit its stride. AQB regularly attracts 20-30 attendees to catch-ups, which have included birdwatching picnics, hikes and walks in natural spaces from Gawler to Onkaparinga, West Beach to Athelstone, ensuring different levels of physical ability are accounted for, and people in different areas have a chance to attend. Notably 17 activities coordinated by just two volunteer organisers has further demonstrated the interest in social connection based in nature and learning.
Most members have become involved in citizen science through AQB. Using bird data recording platforms like E-Bird and Aussie Bird Count, members are directly contributing to data that helps in conservation efforts of native birds. This has been amplified by having qualified ornithologists attending AQB events to ensure data accuracy, enhancing member's experience of nature and birding together.
Notably, AQB was invited to collaborate with ZoosSA during National Science Week 2025 to develop the 'Beaking the Binary' queer trail, highlighting natural sexual and gender diversity at the Adelaide Zoo. AQB members directly contributed insights and stories which informed the trail, which is now a permanently available experience resource for all zoo visitors.
Why does your work matter to the community?
With a clear message about engaging with the nature around us and sharing knowledge, AQB embraces a back-to-basics approach that helps build confidence and belonging.
Most queer activities centre sport or physical exertion, or are competitive. AQB activities don't require the need to race, be competitive, be particularly fit or skilled, or pay fees, which makes activities very accessible. There are NO entry requirements. This relieves attendees from the pressure of what they think their body looks like or can do as a prerequisite for community engagement, and puts focus back on what their body and mind CAN do, allowing them to appreciate and enjoy time outdoors with others. This further encourages mindful enjoyment and observation of nature while building knowledge about nature and connections with community. The group has brought together true beginners and field experts, connecting queer people not just to local birds and new friends but to current conservation and science knowledge about native birds and ecology.
AQB events have been popular with neurodiverse people and people using mobility aids because of efforts to make access to nature and community clear and easy. AQB produces specific guides for each catch-up which includes maps, site information and what the events involve like toilets, path conditions and expected interactions. These accommodate people who may be nervous or need some extra info to process as part of neurodiversity or living with a disability.
What would you like voters to know when voting for you?
AQB offers queer people connection with nature and each other through a hobby that is relaxing, accessible and free. We love celebrating the diversity of Adelaide's birdlife and bringing bird enthusiasts together!