Field Inclusive – Cape Fear Bird Observatory Name 2026 Joint Fellow
APRIL 28, 2026 | FIELD INCLUSIVE
For immediate release
Contact:
Field Inclusive, info@fieldinclusive.org
Sanai Barnes (she/her), an undergraduate student at Xavier University of Louisiana studying biology, is the recipient of the 2026 joint fellowship from Field Inclusive and Cape Fear Bird Observatory. Sanai will be helping with Painted Bunting (PABU) banding on public and private properties as well as help establish a point count and banding study on six sites from Wilmington to Sunset Beach.
Barnes is an undergraduate student at Xavier University of Louisiana studying biology. She has long been inspired by the natural world and is especially interested in understanding and protecting animals and their habitats. She aspires to become a wildlife veterinarian with goals of contributing to wildlife preservation, animal health, and sustainable ecosystems.
This is the fourth year of the joint fellowship, which supports individuals with marginalized and historically excluded identities whose institutions have limited capacity to provide field opportunities, such as small HBCUs, MSIs, and Tribal Colleges. Cape Fear Bird Observatory, along with Wilson Ornithological Society is continuing to sponsoring the fellowship this year.
“Barnes was the perfect candidate, and I am excited that we could offer this opportunity ” says Lauren D. Pharr, co-founder and CFO of Field Inclusive. “Our mission here at Field Inclusive is to offer intensive field experiences such as this to individuals from smaller schools as well as BIPOC and marginalized communities who may have limited opportunities to gain such experiences. “
Read more about this Fellowship.
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