Naturalists | 08.15.24
Benny Jacobs-Schwartz
Nocs Naturalist
Introduce yourself and what you’re up to lately
Hey there! I'm Benny Jacobs-Schwartz, a naturalist educator, wildlife photographer, writer, and passionate birding guide from Los Angeles, California. I’m currently based in Los Angeles and Monteverde, Costa Rica surrounded by lush cloud forest. My business, BIRDS by BIJS (pronounced Bee-jus), started as a way to connect people with the birds and fascinating ecology of Southern California. I didn’t start out as a bird lover, and it wasn’t until a Tropical Ecology Research program in Costa Rica back in 2011 did I catch the birding bug. Since then, I have been birding as much as I can and I offer guided birding tours in Los Angeles and multi-day international birding tours to top tropical destinations.
My passion led me to 2018 when I began leading guided birding outings in Los Angeles with the hope of increasing appreciation for our local birds and unique ecology. Through my tours, I strive to bring a fresh approach to birding and education. I want people to have fun, connect with themselves, and the environment, and feel empowered through hands-on learning. Birding is an excellent gateway to shifting your consciousness, developing observation skills, and getting a glimpse into a world of magic that exists around us all the time.
Over time my business has evolved and I now guide at birding festivals, offer bird-inspired merch, educational talks, and run international birding tours to my favorite tropical destinations like Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia and Jamaica!
Can you tell us a bit about your passions beyond “work”?
I’m lucky to work in an industry where my passion and profession go hand in hand. When not guiding trips, you can find me outside recreating and exploring with friends. I love surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, yoga, contributing to citizen science, and of course, looking for birds.
Do you find that these passions blend, merge, or complement your work?
In my experience, my natural passions and love of life complement my work. I think people gravitate toward enthusiastic and authentic educators, so it's a blessing to have a career that allows me to show up stoked! This very same passion from peers and mentors is what gets me so fired up about the natural world.
What are your materials, and how do you think about them?
Binoculars, spotting scope, Mirrorless camera, digital field guides, eBird, and a good attitude! I think about them all the time! When birding, I try to never leave the house without them, and I keep a backup pair of binos in my car!
Do you have any “heroes’ to speak of? How are you inspired?
Top of that list are probably my parents, field course professors, SeaShepherd, and SeaLegacy. To be honest, anyone can be a hero. I’m inspired by folks who are getting outside and speaking up for the environment, social justice, and the climate crisis. Anyone doing this is a hero to me.
A key ingredient to building a sustainable future?
California indigenous people have lived here for something like 10,000 years and they are still here. They are the original caretakers and stewards of this earth. The hope for a sustainable future in my home state should center around their perspective and knowledge.
A book that shaped your life?
These are two of my all-time favorites -
1. A Neotropical Companion by John Kricher. A fascinating introduction to the animals, plants, and ecosystem of the New World Tropics. Transports you from the high Andes mountains to the Amazon rainforest, both places I never thought I would go, so when I found myself with those opportunities, I was ready!
2. Tending the Wild by M Kat Anderson. Mind melding tome containing a wealth of information on native land management practices gleaned in part from interviews and correspondence with Native Americans who recall what their grandparents told them about how and when areas were burned, which plants were eaten and which were used for basketry, and how plants were tended.
Favorite artist currently?
I’m a huge Grateful Dead fan, but today I was listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young 4-Way Street on vinyl.
Most sublime moment in nature?
One of my top moments was a recent trip to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. We woke up at 5 AM to trek through primary rainforest with indigenous guides from the Avila Viejo Kichwa Community who led us to a HARPY EAGLE nest! Although this was a known location, we had no idea if we’d even get to see the eagle. We were seriously lucky, and not only got to photograph the nestling, but we also got amazing looks at the adult female. These massive eagles are 3.5 feet tall, eat large mammals like monkeys and sloths, and are sadly quite rare as they require contiguous lowland rainforests with ample food.
What have been your biggest challenges?
One of my top moments was a recent trip to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. We woke up at 5 AM to trek through primary rainforest with indigenous guides from the Avila Viejo Kichwa Community who led us to a HARPY EAGLE nest! Although this was a known location, we had no idea if we’d even get to see the eagle. We were seriously lucky, and not only got to photograph the nestling, but we also got amazing looks at the adult female. These massive eagles are 3.5 feet tall, eat large mammals like monkeys and sloths, and are sadly quite rare as they require contiguous lowland rainforests with ample food.
What have been your biggest challenges?
To be honest, launching my business has been a real challenge. There isn’t a playbook on how to become a birding guide. Initially, it took me a while to feel confident enough to put myself out there to offer walks and eventually launch my lineup of international tours.
I felt nervous that LA wasn’t good enough to take people on outings, or didn’t think people would sign up to spend 9 days with me in the jungle. As it turns out, if you build it they will come! In my first year of running international birding tours, I have 4 tours that are locked and loaded! I even sold out both my Costa Rica and Ecuador birding tours a huge surprise that I’m super grateful for! You have to be patient, keep putting yourself out there, and don’t give up! Actively envision and manifest the energy you want in your life and it will happen!
What do you do when you get out and away from the office/lab/kitchen?
I usually default to birding and if I’m in the mood for some higher-energy fun I’ll either go surfing, climbing, or biking!
What other brands do you love?
Patagonia
Hippy Tree
Hoka
Mang Gear
Bird Collective
Cotton Carrier
Canon
What keeps you going?
Birds, the natural world, and deep human connection. I like to see other stoked humans, it fills my heart with joy.
a
Nocs Naturalist?