Together for Birds and People
| Issue | Environment |
|---|---|
| Aim | To conserve the 4,000 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Europe through the involvement of local people. |
| Area | Pan-European project involving 34 countries including Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. |
Duration
2006-2007
Organisation
BirdLife International, European Division
Funding
€115,665
Testimonial
“Toyota’s contribution is greatly appreciated for having increased the communication around the events. It has given 12 countries the opportunity to print posters and flyers in their own language. Toyota’s support was especially effective in Poland, increasing participation in the EuroBirdwatch events by 20% and forming an ongoing partnership with Toyota in Poland”
Ms. Maria Solernou, Funding Development Manager for Europe, BirdLife International
Together for Birds and People
BirdLife International is a world-wide organisation for nature conservation which pays special attention to birds. It has over 80 years of experience in biodiversity issues and strong links with local communities. TFfE supports BirdLife’s vision and mission to conserve wild birds and biodiversity by working with local people to achieve sustainability.
TFfE’s involvement in the project included support for the:
EuroBirdwatch
EuroBirdwatch is an annual event comprising hundreds of nationally-organised events all over Europe. It provides an opportunity for people to observe and learn about Europe’s wild birds at first hand during a special weekend of activities in October when many birds migrate. During EuroBirdwatch 2007, over 43,000 people were involved in monitoring the bird migration. Children learnt about the importance of birds as an indicator for biodiversity and the importance of protecting them and their environment.
Important Bird Area (IBA) monitoring scheme
The IBA programme is the most significant BirdLife contribution to biodiversity conservation in Europe. BirdLife has almost completed the initial identification and designation of protected IBAs. The next challenge is to ensure the areas are managed well, a task that depends on the support of local communities.
With Toyota’s assistance, Birdlife developed a methodology, guidelines and framework to implement regular monitoring of IBA’s. The monitoring results are used to produce a list of indicators that enable EU member countries to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the European Union’s Birds Directive.
Conservation of IBAs
TFfE support enabled BirdLife to develop the first map that shows every IBA site in the 27 EU member states. The map, published as a poster, was used in national and international lobbying efforts to ensure better protection for the IBAs.
Toyota VLCs and BirdLife cooperation
Toyota’s Vehicle Logistics Centres (VLCs) in Denmark, Poland and Portugal have joined with their local BirdLife partner to organise a number of events. The events provided VLC employees and their families with an opportunity to visit local IBAs and learn about the link between birds and nature from their national BirdLife organisation.
TFfE’s involvement in the project included support for the:
- Annual EuroBirdwatch event across Europe
- Launch of the pan-European Important Bird Area (IBA) monitoring scheme
- Conservation of IBAs
- Education of Toyota employees and family members about the role of IBAs.
EuroBirdwatch
EuroBirdwatch is an annual event comprising hundreds of nationally-organised events all over Europe. It provides an opportunity for people to observe and learn about Europe’s wild birds at first hand during a special weekend of activities in October when many birds migrate. During EuroBirdwatch 2007, over 43,000 people were involved in monitoring the bird migration. Children learnt about the importance of birds as an indicator for biodiversity and the importance of protecting them and their environment.
Important Bird Area (IBA) monitoring scheme
The IBA programme is the most significant BirdLife contribution to biodiversity conservation in Europe. BirdLife has almost completed the initial identification and designation of protected IBAs. The next challenge is to ensure the areas are managed well, a task that depends on the support of local communities.
With Toyota’s assistance, Birdlife developed a methodology, guidelines and framework to implement regular monitoring of IBA’s. The monitoring results are used to produce a list of indicators that enable EU member countries to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the European Union’s Birds Directive.
Conservation of IBAs
TFfE support enabled BirdLife to develop the first map that shows every IBA site in the 27 EU member states. The map, published as a poster, was used in national and international lobbying efforts to ensure better protection for the IBAs.
Toyota VLCs and BirdLife cooperation
Toyota’s Vehicle Logistics Centres (VLCs) in Denmark, Poland and Portugal have joined with their local BirdLife partner to organise a number of events. The events provided VLC employees and their families with an opportunity to visit local IBAs and learn about the link between birds and nature from their national BirdLife organisation.
Results
The figures for EuroBirdwatch
Over 43,000 people across Europe participated in the 2007 at 2,000 events in 34 countries. Around 2.3 million birds were spotted.
Key numbers:
The figures for IBA monitoring
In total, 37 people from 32 European countries received training on how to apply the guidelines to implement regular monitoring of IBA’s. The materials and tools have been made available and are updated on BirdLife’s Extranet for the rest of the staff.
The figures for VLC and BirdLife cooperation
During 2006, 76 VLC staff members and family participated at three IBA visits. Over 20 staff and family members participated in the 2007 events in Poland and 5,000 children and young people received BirdLife and Toyota materials.
Over 43,000 people across Europe participated in the 2007 at 2,000 events in 34 countries. Around 2.3 million birds were spotted.
Key numbers:
- 200. The number of species observed in Romania.
- 204. The number of EuroBirdwatch events held in Hungary over one weekend.
- 25,000. The number of participants in Spain.
- 813,251. The number of birds sighted in Lithuania during EuroBirdwatch.
The figures for IBA monitoring
In total, 37 people from 32 European countries received training on how to apply the guidelines to implement regular monitoring of IBA’s. The materials and tools have been made available and are updated on BirdLife’s Extranet for the rest of the staff.
The figures for VLC and BirdLife cooperation
During 2006, 76 VLC staff members and family participated at three IBA visits. Over 20 staff and family members participated in the 2007 events in Poland and 5,000 children and young people received BirdLife and Toyota materials.
Further information
For a full listing of the countries involved in this project, see: www.birdlife.org/action/awareness/eurobirdwatch/activities_europe.html
Photography: Puffin and Blue Tit photos kindly provided by Stefan Benko of BirdLife International.
Photography: Puffin and Blue Tit photos kindly provided by Stefan Benko of BirdLife International.
Contact
Maria Solernou
BirdLife International, European Division
T: +322 2800830
F: +322 2303802
Maria.solernou@birdlife.org
www.birdlife.org
BirdLife International, European Division
T: +322 2800830
F: +322 2303802
Maria.solernou@birdlife.org
www.birdlife.org
