A new donation scheme will help youngsters access wildlife watching equipment and learn more about the natural world

The organisation is asking for donations to its Equipment Donation Scheme

By Sophie McCandlish

Published 20th Feb 2021, 16:45 BST

The Equipment Donation Scheme, which is a new initiative from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), will see donated items such as binoculars, telescopes, and identification field guides being “redistributed” to young enthusiasts, schools and clubs.

“There are many young people out there who are passionate about wildlife and wildlife monitoring but just don’t have the means to acquire expensive wildlife watching equipment,” said Samuel Levy from the BTO Youth Advisory Panel.

“This scheme has the potential to make a huge difference, and who knows, it may even inspire the next Chris Packham or David Attenborough.”

Mr Levy said the BTO Equipment Donation Scheme is designed to help redistribute birding equipment from those who don’t need it anymore or who may wish to support others by gifting equipment.

It will then be given to those who may not be able to afford or access the equipment, but would benefit from its use.

“Many experienced wildlife watchers upgrade their binoculars and telescopes and other wildlife watching equipment as newer and better instruments are brought onto the market,” a spokesman for BTO said.

“There will be lots of older pairs of binoculars, books and more languishing in cupboards. It is this kit that the BTO wants to get into the hands of a young wildlife watcher in need.”

The scheme is able to accept functioning binoculars, telescopes, guide books on birds and other equipment in acceptable condition, but cannot currently take bird ringing or photography equipment.

Donations will be processed on a monthly basis and the applications to receive equipment will be assessed by a team from the BTO Youth Advisory Panel.

The charity said it would also love to hear from suppliers of optical equipment or other birdwatching related equipment who may be interested in supporting the project.

The BTO is the UK’s leading bird research charity which has been running its weekly garden birdwatch surveys for the past 25 years.

Around 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to the garden birdwatch and the results have been helping inform conservation efforts for different species.

It also provides a valuable insight into the effects of feeding birds, the management of gardens for wildlife and the changing fortunes of common garden species.