<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>We are sharing this exciting opportunity that is not an NFB event but might be of interest. I am told by Patrick Johnson that Blind Birding is a thing and there are some awesome tools to make this a fully accessible experience. Bird Ability is partnering with many NFB Affiliates to make this program a possibility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Join Old Rag Master Naturalists for the Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon at Lenn Park in Culpepper, Virginia.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 9:00AM - 10:30 AM</b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Old Rag Master Naturalists are also expecting that they can provide financial assistance to individuals who will need to pay for transportation to the bird walk location. If you are in need of financial assistance for transportation costs to the event, please contact Charlene Uhl.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Uhl, Charlene H <a href="mailto:chu@sycamoregrove.farm">chu@sycamoregrove.farm</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The walk will be limited to 10 people plus the two Old Rag Master Naturalists members who are leading the walk.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>More details from the Old Rag Master Naturalists web site:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Old Rag Master Naturalists (ORMN) invite you to a unique and inclusive birding experience at Lenn Park in Culpeper County on Sunday, May 18, 2025. This event is part of the very first <b>Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon</b> ever held in the United States. The Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon is for any legally blind person in the United States, of any age and any level of experience, and participants are encouraged to identify as many bird species as possible. Register for the Bird-a-Thon for additional information on the event.<br><br>This special bird walk is designed to be accessible for individuals with vision impairments and is part of our ongoing commitment to <b>Birdability</b>—a national nonprofit organization working to ensure birding is accessible to all. Birdability focuses on breaking down barriers to birding for people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, hearing differences, chronic illness, intellectual or physical disabilities, and other health concerns that may limit access to nature.<br><br>Birdability is a <b>nonprofit working to make birding and the outdoors accessible and inclusive</b> for everyone, especially those with disabilities! They also manage the Birdability Map—an interactive tool that provides detailed information on accessible birding locations. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the Birdability Map—an interactive tool that provides detailed information on accessible birding locations. Local sites listed on the map include Limberlost Trail in Shenandoah National Park, Mountain Run Lake Park, and Lenn Park in Culpeper.<br><br>Old Rag Master Naturalists (ORMN) has supported Birdability initiatives for nearly five years and is proud to host this event with a focus on welcoming participants with visual impairments. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This walk will be led by <b>Charlene Uhl</b> and <b>Linda Bueno</b>, long-time ORMN members and passionate birders who are excited to share the joy of birding with everyone.<br>We hope you'll join us for this meaningful and inclusive event.<br><br><b> <a href="https://www.oldragmasternaturalists.org/birdability-walk-2025.html" target="_blank">Register Here for the ORMN guided walk</a><br> (</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfb.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbv.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>