Please join us in congratulating the 2022 ABA Young Birders of the Year, Zita Robertson, 13, of Canton, Missouri, and Reed Robinson, 17, of Portland, Maine!

The American Birding Association’s Young Birder of the Year Mentoring Program (YBYMP) was created to guide, encourage, and provide expert advice that aids in developing the skills and talents of birders between the ages of 10–18. The program, which began in 1998, is entering its 25th year and has an impressive track record of influencing up-and-coming leaders of the birding community. Check out previous winners on the All-Time Young Birders of the Year page.

Participants can adapt the program to suit their interests by choosing among five modules: Field Notebook, Conservation and Community Leadership, Photography, Illustration, and Writing. Field work is conducted from July until March, and participants foster friendships in their own private and secure online workspace where they can offer support to one another and seek guidance from the devoted panel of mentors.

1Thank you to the generous support from our sponsor, Zeiss Sports Optics!

Congratulations to all the young birder participants! We are inspired by your knowledge, passion, and talent.