What if we told you that one of the members of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy board can juggle swords?
Don’t worry — we’ll get back to the swords later. But first, meet the woman behind them.
Monica Bryand serves on the board of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and is the founder of Urban Bird Collective, that centers the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities and that brings people together around birding, curiosity, and exploring the outdoors.
Her connection to St. Paul’s parks also goes back several years. Before joining the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, Monica served on the Great River Passage Conservancy board, helping support the vision for the Mississippi River corridor and the communities connected to it. Today she continues that work by bringing her experience in community-building and environmental awareness to the broader park system across the city.
Building Community Through Birding
The Urban Bird Collective started as a way to bring people together around birding, but it quickly grew into something much larger — a community where people can explore nature together, learn from one another, and share their curiosity about the natural world in a safe space that welcomes all.
As Monica explained during our conversation:
We have about 1,800 folks on our list, and probably over half of them identify as either LGBTQ+ or BIPOC. Creating spaces where those communities feel welcome in nature is really important to me.
That commitment to inclusion has been a guiding principle behind Urban Bird Collective. Birding and outdoor recreation haven’t always felt welcoming to everyone, and Monica’s work is helping change that by creating a community where people feel comfortable showing up, asking questions, and exploring the outdoors together.
Expanding Who Feels Welcome Outdoors
A central part of Monica’s work is helping more people feel comfortable spending time outdoors.
Through Urban Bird Collective, birding becomes less about expertise and more about curiosity — noticing movement in the trees, listening for sounds along the river, and discovering the wildlife that lives right alongside the city.
As Monica puts it:
“Once you start noticing birds, you start noticing everything else too.”
Suddenly a familiar park feels full of activity: movement in the trees, sounds along the river, and wildlife that had been there all along.
Finding Hidden Gems in Plain Sight
Monica is also a photographer, which pairs naturally with birding.
Both activities reward patience and observation — whether that’s spotting a bird along the Mississippi River or noticing how the light changes across the landscape.
It’s the kind of perspective that encourages people to slow down and take a second look at places they may pass every day.
And when Monica wants to get outside herself, she doesn’t have to go far.
“I really like Crosby Park near my house,” she said. “I live right on the bluff by the river, so I’ll bike down and hit Harriet Island and go to Lilydale and ride through there. There are just so many places to go.”
It’s a reminder that one of the best things about St. Paul’s park system is how connected it is — you can follow the river and discover new places simply by walking or biking along the way.
And About Those Swords…
Ahh yes — the swords.
Monica learned to juggle when she was young after her brother taught her.
“He taught me how to juggle, and he also taught me how to be ambidextrous,” she said.
That early lesson carried into a lifelong love of sports.
“I grew up playing sports, so I could do everything left- and right-handed.”
For years juggling stayed fairly simple — three balls and a few tricks. But when Monica got into birding, the person who introduced her to it also happened to be a juggler. From there she learned more techniques and tricks.
Today juggling has become part of her exercise routine — alongside more than 45 years of playing racquetball.
And yes, that includes juggling more than just tennis balls.
The Park Bench Q&A
IBefore we wrapped up our conversation, we asked Monica a few quick-fire questions — the kind that reveals a little personality behind the park passion. Think of it as the park bench version of a lightning round: no overthinking, just first instincts.
Sunrise over the river or sunset in the woods?
Sunrise over the river
A high-energy racquetball match or a slow kayak float?
A slow kayak float
Binoculars for birding or a camera for the memories?
Camera
If St. Paul’s parks had a scent, would it be pine cones or a summer BBQ in the pavilion?
Pine cones
Thanks for tuning in to Park Bench Perspectives — where we shine a light on the people who help make Saint Paul’s parks such special places. Stay tuned for our next conversation from the bench.
Park Bench Perspectives is a recurring series highlighting the people behind St. Paul’s parks. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for future conversations.