In February 2018, the Black Hills Audubon Society began partnering with the Timberland Regional Libraries (TRL) to provide birding opportunities for individuals and families who otherwise lack the resources to go birding. Donated to TRL were 3 Family Birding Backpacks, each pack containing 2 pair of binoculars, 2 field guides to birds, laminated sheets describing local wildflowers and trees, Great Birding Trail maps for Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties, instruction on how to bird and how to use binoculars, and lists of less well-known local birding sites.
TRL Collection Manager Andrea Heisel says “People really love this program,” and reports that the backpacks have been checked out 21 times. One borrower wrote this on her feedback form, “Checking this out changed my life and reawakened my eyes to the sublime pleasures of birding!”