Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample RoadIn Finding Birds, Finding Belonging, Lauren Pharr shares her journey from an early love of wildlife to a career in conservation, science communication, and nonprofit leadership. Through personal stories and practical insight, she explores how birding can be a powerful gateway to connection — with nature, with community, and with a deeper sense of belonging outdoors. Lauren also highlights how organizations and local spaces can help make birding more welcoming and accessible for everyone.
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About the Speaker: Dr. Lauren D. Pharr is an avian behavioral ecologist whose research focuses on bird behavior and its applications to conservation. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Biology from Wingate University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from North Carolina State University. In addition to her research, Lauren is an active and award-winning science communicator. She serves as a freelance writer for The Nature Conservancy’s Cool Green Science blog, and her work has appeared in outlets including National Geographic, WIRED, and PBS SciNC. She has also served on the Editorial Advisory Board for The Wildlife Society and as a contributing editor for North Carolina Sea Grant. Lauren is the co-founder of Field Inclusive, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying and supporting marginalized and historically excluded individuals in the outdoors and making science accessible to all. Her research and advocacy have earned her numerous accolades, including the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s 2023 Governor's Conservation Achievement Award for Young Conservationist of the Year, one of the highest honors in the state’s wildlife field.
Sat, Mar 14, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road
To ignite a passion for raptors and a responsibility for our shared natural world.
The Carolina Raptor Center fosters communities where raptors and people thrive thanks to our unique blend of innovation, research, and education.
We are a world class destination for avian rehabilitation and our dedication to the birds in our care provides visitors a gateway to the natural world.
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