We continued our support of Team GB and other archers at various levels of the sport. Rebecca Leigh received an Adventurer II WP 15-45x60 spotting scope and Savanna R PC 8x33 binocular. Helen Piper also received an Adventurer scope. The Archery UK magazine features a star letter in each issue for which we supply a prize. In 2021 the prizes were four MM3 50 12-36x50 spotting scopes.
Pupils at Blackawton Primary School in south Devon received a classroom pack of Wildlife Trust WT 8x21 binoculars to help them participate in the Big School's Birdwatch event. Staff and parents were also provided with a discount code allowing them to purchase additional binoculars for the event at a reduced price.
We teamed up with Allan Archer for his Talk Wildlife education and outreach programme. To help the pupils taking part in his conservation education classes, we supplied a dozen WT 8x21 binoculars, five Adventurer T WP 8x32 binoculars and an Adventurer WP II 15-45x60 scope along with a selection of hand magnifiers. Here's a quick summary of who Allan is:
"I have worked in wildlife education for over five years, designing, developing and delivering natural history activities for schools, families and groups. My vision is to create a community that is inspired by, has empathy for and values the natural world."
You can find out more at www.talkwildlife.net
Ai-Lin Kee approached us for help with equipping her with binoculars to use for a local outreach progamme she helps to run. We were happy to supply a selection of pre-owned binoculars for this purpose.
Here's what Ai-Lin told us about herself: "I freelance in delivering nature connection and engagement sessions for charities such as Buglife Wales and Actif Wood Wales, part of the Small Woods Association.
For me this is a new venture since May last year, when I decided to give up a fulltime job as a Park Warden to do something that I am really passionate about.
I believe that getting people outdoors is key to their wellbeing. Nature inspires, nature heals and we need nature much more than we realise."
You can find Ai-Lin on Twitter @ailinkee and Facebook & Instagram @natureonyourdoorstep
In February this year we began our partnership with the makers of the Birda app - www.birda.org - and supplied key staff members and ambassadors with Explorer WA ED and Discovery WA ED 8x32 binoculars
Here's what Birda is all about: "Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature, make a positive impact and be part of an inclusive community that can guide their birding journey. We developed Birda because we believe nature is for everyone, and nature needs everyone on her side."
We donated a Discovery WP PC 8x32 binocular for a charity auction held by Gary Jones of GJ Wildlife Photography to raise funds for the North Wales Wildlife Trust.
In March we supplied some Savanna R PC 8x33 binoculars as prizes for the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trusts photography competition.
The Perlins Community Project received a selection of used optics to support their work in helping people with learning disabilities to discover the outdoors and connect with nature. More information on the project is available here.
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We have supported Brais Palmas on a number of interesting conservation projects over the years. He continues his Rewilders project and this year we provided him with Discovery WP PC Mg 10x50 and Oregon WA 8x40 binoculars.
Six people. Two countries. Six rivers. By canoe only. This is how the Unpeeled Adventure describes its epci journey through the wilderness of the Canadian Northwest and Alaska. We supplied the team with WP Mono 8x32 monoculars.
Butterfly Conservation held its annual fund raising raffle in August. We contributed some Oregon macro focus monoculars and 10x23mm folding metal loupes to support the event.
The Herts & Middlesex Wild Trust ran their Wild Snaps photography competition which culminated in a exhibition and prize giving cermony at the magnificent St Albans Cathedral. We supplied a number of WT 8x21 binoculars for the runners up and a main prize of a Discovery WP PC 8x32 binocular.
One of the winners of the National Biodiversity Networks annual awards was James Common. He used his prize of Opticron equipment of his choice to support the work of his local botany group. They benefited by receiving a selection of handheld magnifiers and folding metal loupe magnifiers. Another winner, Joe Fryer, decided on a Manfrotto 290 Xtra tripod as his prize.