The Cheryl Beth Silverman Memorial Lecture: A Conversation With Birder Isaiah Scott
Event
Information
Dates
Thursday, May 28, 2026
6 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Location
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Join us for the annual Cheryl Beth Silverman Memorial Lecture featuring a conversation with Isaiah Scott — an emerging leader in the national birding community, avian illustrator, and founder of Rookery & Roots Conservancy in Rincon, Georgia.
Scott will reflect on how his passion for the natural world led him to study at Cornell University, home to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Merlin Bird ID app, and how that experience continues to shape his work. The evening will open with Scott sharing his path to ornithology, biodiversity, and conservation, followed by a facilitated conversation with Jason Hall, founder of In Color Birding.
Schedule of Events
6-7:15 p.m. Silverman Lecture
7:30-8:30 p.m. Reception and Ornithology Behind-the-Scenes tours
About Isaiah Emmanuel Scott
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Isaiah Scott is an avid birdwatcher, science communicator, conservationist, and wildlife artist whose passion for birding began at an early age. Known online as Ike’s Birding Hikes (@ikesbirdhikes), he is a popular birding influencer and active member of Georgia’s birding community, regularly leading bird walks and sharing insights into local ecosystems. He graduated from Cornell University, where he studied Ornithology and Science Communication, and was named the 2021 Eckelberry Fellow for his upcoming field guide on birds in Gullah Geechee culture.
Scott is also the founder of Rookery & Roots Conservancy, a nonprofit focused on preserving the culture and biodiversity of the Lower Coastal Plain. Among the organization’s achievements is the protection of 16 acres of critical bird habitat in his hometown, now recognized as Scott’s Wild Bird Preserve. Through his art, advocacy, and conservation efforts, he continues to inspire others to explore, learn, and protect the natural world.
About Jason Hall
Over the years, Jason Hall has transformed his love of birding into a movement for community and inclusion. He is a son of SoCal and the adopted son of Philly. He is the founder of the In Color Birding Club (ICBC), a nonprofit that creates safe, joyful, and welcoming entry points into birding for historically marginalized communities. Through ICBC, Halland his board work to expand access to nature across the Philadelphia region — partnering with local organizations to host bird outings, sponsor buses for public school field trips, provide classroom supply scholarships for teachers and organize community food drives.
In 2024, Hall teamed up with Dexter Patterson to launch the Bird Joy Podcast, a vibrant space where birders of all backgrounds and experience levels can explore the diverse stories, ideas and joy that make birding such a powerful connector in our lives.
Outside of birding, Hall serves as an Executive Director of Large Molecule Analytical Sciences in the pharmaceutical industry. He lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two children.
About the Cheryl Beth Silverman Memorial Lecture
The Cheryl Beth Silverman Memorial Lecture was established by Art and Carol Silverman, longtime friends of the Academy, in memory of their daughter, Cheryl Beth. Cheryl was a charismatic lover of animals and was extraordinarily passionate about our environment. Although Cheryl Beth’s time was cut short, she left a notable mark on the world. Through the Cheryl Beth Silverman Memorial Lecture, we continue Cheryl Beth’s efforts to be a voice for the animals and environment she loved.
