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Our Story

The Feminist Bird Club - Twin Cities Metro is one of nearly 60 chapters that are extensions of the international organization, Feminist Bird Club (FBC). The idea for a chapter based in the Twin Cities Metro area started to take shape in 2023 when President, Sydney Kakuk moved back to Minnesota from Washington, DC. While on the east coast, she was diagnosed with a COVID-induced neurological disability. Before becoming increasingly isolated by debilitating symptoms, Sydney was able to participate in events hosted by the FBC - DMV Chapter. Birding was one of the few activities she could manage, and the welcoming nature of the FBC DMV Chapter, gave her an outlet when all else seemed lost. Through this FBC Chapter and their promotion of other birding events in the DMV, Sydney met co-chair Dr. Kassandra Ford, who had newly accepted an employment opportunity at the University of Minnesota, where she is an Assistant Professor of Ichthyology. When the two met, Kassandra was co-leading a Black Birder's Week celebration in the DMV area that was sponsored by Prince George's County in Maryland. The two became fast friends and moved to the Twin Cities around the same time in the summer of 2023. 

After moving back to Minnesota, Sydney felt like she could not find anything that resembled the Feminist Bird Club. There were a few birding groups she came across, but none seemed to have the regularity or accessibility she needed in order to participate. Due to her disability and need for support, she felt nervous about joining unofficial birding groups through Facebook, Discord, etc. Among other things, she couldn't drive to the events, even if she had wanted to. When looking at other clubs in the area there was no obvious scheduling and no clear person to reach out to with questions (at the time). Thus, the idea was born: Feminist Bird Club - Twin Cities Metro. She reached out to Kassandra who, like Sydney, was excited about starting an openly accessible and regularly active club in the area to encourage community building in Central Minnesota. The two applied to start the chapter in the spring of 2024.

Like Sydney and Kassandra, Katie Ebinger was also interested in starting a chapter of the Feminist Bird Club in the Twin Cities. After hosting a successful book club, Katie found a natural ability and passion for bringing people together. The idea of creating community behind one of her most beloved hobbies - birding - inspired her to apply to lead a chapter, as well. 

In the fall of 2025, the Feminist Bird Club parent organization reached out to the three women and expressed their excitement about creating a Twin Cities Metro chapter - the first FBC chapter in Minnesota. The three immediately got to work on building the infrastructure to run their local organization and successfully launched their chapter in February 2026. 

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Feminist Bird Club - Twin Cities Metro

Email: fbctwincitiesmetro@gmail.com

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