Holly Merker

Teaches at New York Botanical Garden

Holly Merker has a background in art therapy, but today employs birds and nature toward the same goals of wellbeing in her work as an environmental educator and birding guide. Holly recently co-authored the book Ornitherapy: For Your Body, Mind, and Soul (along with Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley, Crossley Books, 2021) and is currently promoting the practice of Ornitherapy across the U.S., helping people rekindle and enrich their own experiences with nature with birds with goals of optimal wellness.

In her free time, Holly spends every possible moment practicing Ornitherapy herself, which she credits with helping her defeat breast cancer, restoring her health mentally and physically.