Birding engages people with the outdoors, breeds a love for nature and wildlife, and provides a life-changing outlet in a world that is increasingly dominated by indoor environments and computer screens. However, the birding community is disproportionately dominated by affluent, white, older people. There are many reasons for these gaps. Birding equipment is expensive– most entry-level binoculars cost at least $100. Many new birders also feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in spaces filled with people who do not look like them. GCAS was formed to help tackle these issues.
One of our primary goals is to broaden access to birding across the student population of UCSB. Through cooperation with our off-campus sister organization Santa Barbara Audubon, we have secured a number of binoculars which we have made freely available for students to borrow for use in birding. We also lead monthly birding walks that are open to anyone, regardless of background or experience level.
Click on the link below to fill out a binocular request form.