Founded in 2011 to encourage young Iowans ages 8-18 to study and enjoy birds and birding, Iowa Young Birders has offered nearly 60 field trips all around Iowa.  More than 600 participants have included over 300 young birders, 200 parents and 100 volunteer trip leaders. Since 2020, over 500 Iowa children have been empowered to engage with nature in their own backyard through our innovative Summer Birding Program. In 2023, IAYB began initial deployment of "Birding Backpacks" in 13 public libraries around Iowa with the goal of making quality optics equipment and birding information accessible to all Iowans.