Birders' Exchange (BEX), which began as a small optics "recycling" program at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences in 1990 has become the major conservation initiative of the American Birding Association. The BEX program supplies optics, books, and other new and used donated equipment to researchers, educators, university students, and children's programs throughout the Central and South America.
BEX is helping to support an increasing number of people who are conserving migratory and endemic birds, protecting some of the most ecologically important habitats, and teaching children about the value of birds.
To further its mission, BEX needs our help. BEX recipients need good quality optics, preferably rubber-armored and/or waterproof, and in excellent working condition. BEX has no budget to repair optics, and non-waterproof optics have a very short life span in the wet climates of the tropics. Financial donations are welcome; they allow BEX to purchase high-quality optics at discounted prices.
Optics are required for meaningful conservation efforts.
The program is under the direction of Betty Petersen, American Birding Association Birders' Exchange director, bpetersen@aba.org, 800-850-2473 X223. The shipping address for BEX donations is ABA/BEX 1618 W. Colorado Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80904
For more information, visit www.aba.org/bex
