The Loess Hills Audubon Society (LHAS) has built and deployed birding backpacks at a total of seven nature centers and public libraries in western Iowa. Iowa Young Birders partnered with LHAS to provide educational materials for the backpacks as well as binoculars at a discounted rate. Below is a recent summary of the project and some photos from LHAS member Tucker Lutter:

"Loess Hills Audubon Society is grateful to Iowa Young Birders for partnering with us to provide five birding backpacks to the residents of Sioux County, Iowa. We received a small grant from Iowa Audubon to cover the cost of the backpacks and Iowa Young Birders provided us with five discounted pairs of quality binoculars through NOCS Provisions. The backpacks can be checked out at four locations in the county including the Hawarden Public Library and through the Sioux County Conservation Board at Prairie Woods Nature Center/Oak Grove County Park, Big Sioux Recreation Area, and Sandy Hollow Recreation Area. We hope the backpacks will spark a love for birds among those who use them and inspire a future generation of Iowa Young Birders!"

Above: Loess Hills Audubon Society birding backpack. Below: Loess Hills Audubon Society member Tucker Lutter with Maddy Vlotho, Director of the Hawarden Public Library.

“We very much appreciate the efforts of LHAS to expand access to high-quality birding tools and resources by placing these backpacks at public spaces across western Iowa and are excited to partner on this project,” said Tyler Harms, Iowa Young Birders Executive Director.

The locations of the nature centers and libraries with birding backpacks are listed on the Iowa Young Birders birding backpack map, along with other partner libraries in our Library Birding Backpack program. 

Want to see a birding backpacks in your local public library or nature centers, contact us to learn more!