Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Lee
Hi Jane, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began birding four years ago when a friend took my partner and I birding. She was able to only use her ears and identify over 30 species, I thought this was so cool and was immediately inspired. I’m Canadian and I didn’t have my work permit at the time, so my partner and I traveled and lived out of our trailer at the time. We were grateful to have the opportunity to travel this way. Many times we camped in state parks so I’d go birding in the mornings and observe as much as I could, then I’d study and read more about them when I got back home. Birding soon became an obsession and I was determined to share my new found love with others.
I started working at Wild Birds Unlimited in 2022 and began to lead bird walks through the store.
Meanwhile, I signed up to volunteer for the Denver Front Range Feminist Bird Club and Denver Audubon to gain more experience leading bird outings. Over the years, I’ve continued to learn as much as I can by going on outings with birding experts, reading books, listening to podcasts, and I took a couple of classes at DU regarding migration.
Now I own and operate “Birding with Jane” a local bird tour business. I also lead Mindful Bird Outings at the Denver Botanic Gardens from May to August, and I’ve given talks at Nerd Nite and continue to be an active volunteer in the birding community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As with many new beginnings, it’s been a slow start for my business. I’m a one woman show so I take care of all the bookings, emails, and reviews. It’s been tricky figuring out how to set up a website, how to market myself, and how to set up reviews.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a bird guide and I specialize in taking people on bird walks in the Denver area. I’ve led walks with just one birder to groups up to 10 people. I’m known to help others identify birds, understand more about bird behavior, and how they can help make their communities more bird-friendly.
I’m most proud of the community I’ve built and I’m grateful to be able to guide at the Denver Botanic Gardens!
I’m a minority and a woman owned business. I didn’t go to school to study birds but I have a lot of passion and love for what I do and I think that makes my bird tours unique from others.
During my bird outings, it’s important to me that I share how birding has many mental health benefits. I struggle with depression and anxiety, birding is a mindfulness practice and it helps me feel more grounded and restores my sense of faith when I’m feeling especially down.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
My business wasn’t born yet during COVID. However, it was the pandemic did change my life as it was the impetus for me to move from Toronto to Denver!
Pricing:
- ~$40/pp for 2 hours of birding
Contact Info:
- Website: https://birdingwithjane.wixsite.com/birding-with-jane
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdingwithjane/#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BirdingwithJane
- Other: https://linktr.ee/birdingwithjane?utm_source=linktree_admin_share
Image Credits
Jane Lee
