Meet Dexter Patterson

We recently connected with Dexter Patterson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dexter , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I didn’t go looking for birds—birds found me. I was going through a difficult chapter in life, carrying a lot of trauma and trying to stay present as a father, educator, and community member. One day, I slowed down long enough to notice a bird right outside my window, and that simple moment shifted everything. I picked up a camera, then a pair of binoculars, and suddenly the outdoors became a space for healing, learning, and joy.

Birding gave me permission to be. It reminded me that stillness is not the absence of movement—it’s the beginning of transformation. As a bi-racial man who didn’t grow up seeing people like me represented in nature spaces, I started to realize that my purpose was bigger than just watching birds. It was about creating space—especially for Black and Brown folks—to feel seen, safe, and joyful in the outdoors.

So I leaned all the way in. I co-founded the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin. I started sharing my story publicly. I began teaching and mentoring with a renewed passion. My camera became a tool for connection, my voice an instrument of advocacy, and my love for birds a bridge between community, conservation, and culture.

My purpose found me when I got quiet enough to listen—and it’s been flying alongside me ever since.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

This has been a massive season of growth and gratitude for me. I’ve just released my first book, which is available for preorder now and will ship nationwide in October. It’s called Birds of the Great Lakes (The Best Little Book of Birds), a collaboration between Timber Press and the Hachette Book Group. It’s a birding field guide focused on the Great Lakes region—and it’s honestly one of the proudest moments of my life. This book is more than just a field guide; it’s a celebration of Bird Joy, the healing power of nature, and learning to see the world through the lens of curiosity and care. I poured my heart into it, and seeing it hit #1 as a New Release on Amazon in multiple categories and was surreal.

Professionally, I wear a few hats: I’m an educator, birder, photographer, podcast host, and storyteller—but at the core, I’m a communicator. I teach science communication courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Department of Life Sciences Communication on social media, documentary photography, video production, and podcasting, and I co-founded the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, a community dedicated to creating joyful and inclusive outdoor spaces for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

What excites me most about my work is that it lives at the intersection of passion and purpose. Whether I’m guiding a group of new birders, hosting the Bird Joy Podcast, or helping a young person see their first warbler, I’m reminded that this isn’t just about birds—it’s about people, place, and belonging. It’s about being part of the solution and being the change you hope to see in the world.

My mission is rooted in joy, accessibility, and representation. I want people—especially those who have never felt invited into outdoor spaces—to know that you belong here. Nature is for everyone! I hope that my work can serve as both a mirror and open up what I like to call “windows to wonder”—those sparks that often ignite the lost childhood curiosity and joy, helping people reflect on their lived experiences and offering new perspectives.

Looking ahead, I’m focused on expanding my impact. I’m developing more birding programs to meet our community where they are, especially the youth in underserved communities, via our new Bus to Nature and Birding Backpack programs, as well as collaborative community events and ecotourism experiences. I continue to utilize storytelling through books, podcasts, and social media to shift narratives and spread as much Bird Joy as possible.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities on my journey have been resilience, a lifelong commitment to learning, and a deep dedication to community building.

Resilience has carried me through moments of doubt, trauma, and transition. I didn’t grow up seeing people like me represented in the spaces I now lead—so much of my path has involved pushing through imposter syndrome, carving out space, healing, and trusting that my lived experience matters. For anyone starting, I’d say this: Keep going, even when the path feels unclear. Your story is valid, and your voice is needed.

Being a lifelong learner has shaped my growth in numerous ways. Whether I’m identifying a new bird species, starting a birding club, launching a new podcast, or learning about native plants on a foraging walk, I approach every learning experience with curiosity. Always be a student. My advice? Stay open-minded. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Realize you don’t have all the answers, and that’s OK.

And finally, community is everything! I didn’t find my purpose in isolation—it came through showing up, building relationships, and creating space and joy for others in my community. Whether it’s the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, my students at UW-Madison, or the Bird Joy Podcast listeners, it’s the people around me who fuel this work. So, my advice? Find your people. Pour into them. Grow together.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always looking to collaborate, especially with individuals working at the intersection of birding, nature, and youth empowerment.

If you’re an educator, nonprofit leader, storyteller, artist, or community organizer creating access to the outdoors—especially for Black, Brown, and underserved communities—let’s connect. I believe in the power of partnership, and I’m always down to build something meaningful that brings Bird Joy to more people.

Whether it’s co-leading events, developing programs, speaking, content creation, or dreaming up new ways to get young folks outside and connected to nature—I’m in.

You can reach me through my website, wiscobirder.com, or DM me on Instagram or TikTok (@wiscobirder), or email me at bipocbirdingclub@gmail.com. Let’s build together.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photos 1-2 I took myself. Photos 3-5 are by Hedi LaMarr Rudd

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