Kids at Whispering Woods in Georgia.
Evan Barnard

Whispering Woods Braille Trail

Buford, Georgia 

Evan Barnard believes that all people should have access to nature. At age 14, he set out to create Whispering Woods, a Braille nature trail. The trail uses Braille signs and guide ropes. They help people who are blind or visually impaired explore nature without assistance. Visitors can enjoy a safe sensory experience by feeling the scratchy bark of a tree, hearing a bird’s song, or smelling the earthy odor of the woods. “It’s a transformative experience for many,” Barnard, now 21, says. —Rebecca Mordechai

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