August 15–16, 2025 | Talk and walk with professional birder Tiffany Kersten

The Chinati Foundation and the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) invite you to join renowned birder Tiffany Kersten for her “Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders” talk and a birding walk on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16. 

On Friday at 6 pm, Kersten will offer a compelling presentation about her year spent traveling across the region and country, identifying over 700 species of birds—a national birding record. As a survivor of sexual assault, Kersten will also lead us through the empowerment, struggles, and healing she experienced on this adventure. 

The following day, experience Kertsen’s expertise and enthusiasm firsthand as she leads a birding excursion through the CDRI’s nature center and botanical gardens. August in West Texas promises a variety of species, including regional summer residents and birds beginning their flocking and migration further south.

Both events will take place at the CDRI. Participation is limited. Register here.

Talk and walk with professional birder Tiffany Kersten
Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, 43869 TX-118, Fort Davis
Talk on Friday, August 15, at 6 pm
Walk on Saturday, August 16, at 10 am
Free and open to all. Registration required.

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Accessibility note: This program may include mention of sexual assault.

About Tiffany Kersten:
Tiffany Kersten has spent over a decade as an environmental educator, teaching about bird migration. Most recently, she worked at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and then managed the McAllen Nature Center. After completing her Lower 48 States Big Year in 2021, she founded her own company, Nature Ninja Birding Tours. She primarily guides in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and currently offers international tours to Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and Taiwan.

Read more about Tiffany’s year-long adventure breaking a national birding record in Texas Monthly.

Photo by Abby Marshall.