Karinne Tennenbaum is the founder of Taking Flight, an educational initiative that inspires the next generation of climate leaders by fostering an environmental ethic through the magic of birding. Her work is grounded in three core pillars: research and conservation, environmental education and community engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Through Taking Flight, Karinne empowers young people by connecting them with the unique perspectives of students, teachers, scientists, advocates, photographers, artists, and podcasters—all through the lens of ornithology. Since its founding in 2019, the initiative has reached hundreds of participants across local, state, national, and international levels, proving how a grassroots mission can transform the future one young birder at a time.

Karinne was part of the Young Climate Prize Cycle 02 Cohort, where she was mentored by Ellie Stathaki, Architecture Editor at Wallpaper.