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Jacalyn Speicher Ed.D., is a 2026 graduate of the Ed.D. program in Educational and Professional Practice at Antioch University.

Dissertation Committee:

Gary Delanoeye, Ed.D., Committee Chair 

Paul Bocko, Ph.D., Committee Member

Jay Grant, Ph.D., Committee Member

Keywords

birds, biodiversity, environmental justice, Philadelphia, pocket park, social justice, urban green space environmental justice, urban planning

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

Natural communities and the birds that inhabit them are essential to the physical and emotional well-being of human residents in urban settings. The action research undertaken in this study addresses the social and environmental justice issues of equity, accessibility, and diversity afforded avian and human communities in the design of pocket parks within the urban landscape. As urbanization consumes the natural landscape, people and birds must adapt to the novel challenges of a changing environment. I studied 10 pocket parks identified in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between January and June 2026. This time frame spanned the seasons from winter to summer and included the avian spring migration. Using in-person interviews and online reviews, I identified the most often cited reasons for visiting pocket parks. Interviews were conducted with small groups of two or more adults who were visiting the park. They were asked about their experience and opinion of the park, as well as their interest in birds and birdwatching. Observational data showed that the number one activity for people in the parks is sitting and taking time to enjoy the park. A census of the birds encountered in and over the pocket parks was completed using in-person point counts and online citizen science resources of eBird, iNaturalist, and Merlin. This provided information about the community of birds most commonly found at each park. Additional observation showed that foraging and singing were the most common bird activities in the parks. These data indicate a connection to nature that is important for the benefit of both humans and birds. The park amenities providing essential function for all park visitors included a diversity of tree species with some isolated areas consisting of ground cover, shrubs, and wildflowers. In order to equitably share these open green spaces, it is also important to include paved walkways, benches, and tables to minimize negative interactions between birds and people. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Comments

ORCiD 0009-0000-6423-0911

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