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Mcardoza Monica Cardoza

Monica Cardoza

location-pin Ridgewood, New Jersey

School: Pace University

Expertise: Birding, Gardening, Butterflies and Bugs, Outdoor Lifestyle, Backyard Wildlife

Monica Cardoza

  • Editor, The New York Times Syndicate, 6 years
  • Member, Outdoor Writers Association of America (since 2019)
  • Member, Garden Communicators International (since 2022)
  • Member, Native Plant Society of New Jersey (since 2018)
  • Programs chair for a 107-acre nature preserve in northern New Jersey, The Celery Farm
  • Bylines in The Washington Post, Wine Enthusiast, Audubon, Better Homes & Gardens, Next Avenue, Sierra, Rails to Trails Conservancy, New Jersey Monthly, and Birds & Blooms.

Experience

Monica Cardoza is a freelance writer covering outdoor recreation and conservation with bylines in The Washington Post, Audubon, Sierra, and New Jersey Monthly. She has a journalism degree from New York University and a master's in publishing from Pace University. She's a former editor for The New York Times Syndicate, and a current member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Garden Communicators International, and the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. She volunteers as programs chair for a 107-acre nature preserve in northern New Jersey, The Celery Farm. As part of Monica's passion for encouraging Birds & Blooms readers to explore and understand their outdoors, she interviews conservationists, scientists and leaders specializing in birding and plants. Among her favorite articles she's written for Birds & Blooms are pieces about backyard optics, creating a safe yard for hummingbirds, and the women behind Birdability, which seeks to make birding more accessible.

Education

  • Master's degree in publishing, Pace University
  • Journalism degree, New York University

Birds & Blooms Editorial Policies

For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brand, has been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Articles

Two Mourning Doves Perched On A Branch

Mourning Dove vs Pigeon: What’s the Difference?

The pigeon and mourning dove are from the same family, but these stout, short-beaked birds are different in both subtle and obvious ways.
brown-headed cowbird on a bird bath

Brown-Headed Cowbird: Most Hated Bird in America

Learn why the brown-headed cowbird is many birders' least favorite—and how to tell cowbird eggs apart from those of other species.
Pine Grosbeak 26728 irruptions

Irruptions: A Sudden Surge of New Birds in Town

Irruptions bring surprise visitors from the far north to your feeders—an opportunity to witness one of birding’s great mysteries. Here are the answers to some of your biggest questions about these sudden bird influxes.