Young wildlife enthusiasts to get much needed equipment in brand new scheme

15 Feb 2021 | No. 2021-02

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) have just launched a scheme to help redistribute binoculars, telescopes, identification field guides and much more from those that don’t need them anymore, to those that do.

The BTO Equipment Donation Scheme (EDS) is designed to help redistribute birding equipment from those who don’t need them anymore, or wish to support others by gifting equipment, 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, and there will be lots of older pairs of binoculars, books and more languishing in cupboards across the UK. It is this kit that the BTO wants to get into the hands of a young wildlife watcher in need.
 
Anyone can donate to the scheme, but to be a recipient of redistributed wildlife watching equipment you need to be: aged between 11 and 21; a primary or secondary school who is looking to take up Garden BirdWatch with one (or more) of their year groups, or have a club that focuses on nature or the environment; or a university group or society which focuses on nature or the environment.
 
The scheme will accept functioning binoculars, telescopes, guide books on birds and other taxa in acceptable condition. The scheme currently does not accept bird ringing equipment or photography equipment.
 
The BTO would also love to hear from suppliers of optical equipment or other birdwatching related equipment that are interested in becoming corporate sponsors.
 
Samuel Levy of the BTO Youth Advisory Panel, who developed the scheme, said, “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. This scheme has the potential to make a huge difference, and who knows, it may even inspire the next Chris Packham or David Attenborough.”
 
If you are interested in getting your old wildlife watching kit into the hands of a young wildlife enthusiast, please visit www.bto.org/equipment

Contact Details
Faye Vogely (BTO Social Media Manager)
Email: youth [at] bto.org (youth)press [at] bto.org (subject: News%20release%20enquiry) (@bto.org)

Paul Stancliffe (BTO Media Manager)
Mobile: 07585 440910
Email: press [at] bto.org (subject: News%20release%20enquiry)

Images are available for use alongside this News Release. These can be downloaded from this link https://btodigitalimagelibrary.photodeck.com/-/galleries/press-images/eds-pr-2021-02 for which you will need to enter the password BTOEDS2021-2 alternatively, please contact images [at] bto.org quoting reference 2021-02

Notes for editors

Both donors and recipients can go to a dedicated webpage www.bto.org/equipment on the BTO website to fill in a short webform. 
 
Donations will be processed on a monthly basis and applications to receive equipment will be assessed by a team of BTO Youth Advisory Panel..
 
BTO is the UK's leading bird research charity. A growing membership and up to 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to BTO's surveys, collecting information that underpins conservation action in the UK. BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Thetford, Stirling, Bangor (Wales) and Belfast (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of surveys and projects. BTO's work is funded by BTO supporters, government, trusts, industry and conservation organisations. www.bto.org

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