Andrianna Nelson - 2024

Andrianna Nelson’s interest in birds and birding was sparked by a Dark-eyed Junco at the age of nine in her home state of Tennessee.  From that moment on birds and birding became an integral part of her life.  In high school she served as the Sullivan County coordinator for the Tennessee Bluebird Society and went on to be named the American Birding Association (ABA) young birder of the year in 2020.  Adrianna went on to complete her biology degree at Appalachian State while also pursuing a minor in Appalachian Studies.  As Adrianna starts her career, she remains passionate about finding ways to make birding, and science in general, more accessible to underrepresented communities through education and outreach.

Adrianna’s presentation at the festival focused on her extensive experience with seabirds, including her favorite, the captivating Leach’s Storm Petrel.  Adrianna passionately explained why she considers seabirds to be so fascinating, important to the environment and significant to mankind.