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 The
Secretariat of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird
Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) and the Secretariat of the Convention
on Migratory Species (UNEP/CMS) are glad to announce the
countdown for World Migratory Bird Day 2008. This two-day
awareness raising campaign will take place globally for
the third consecutive year from 10 – 11 of May 2008.
The theme for next year’s celebration is Migratory
Birds - Ambassadors for Biodiversity.
Birds are some of the best indicators for
the status and trends of wider biodiversity. They are important
for monitoring changes in the environment as they are virtually
inhabitants of all ecosystems in the world.
Many sites – identified as the key
sites for birds, host numerous other threatened species
of plants and animals. Therefore areas important for birds
represent hot spots for other biodiversity as well.
 All
through their annual cycle, migratory birds cross many countries
and continents, some of them from the tundra to the tropics,
linking different ecosystems. By conserving them and their
environment we ensure the conservation of biodiversity on
a wider scale.
World Migratory Bird Day was launched two
years ago when the AEWA and CMS Secretariats saw the need
for a global awareness campaign to inspire people to take
action for the conservation of migratory birds.
Building upon the two very successful campaigns
in 2006 and 2007, preparations for WMBD 2008 are now underway!
Both the theme and the timing of WMBD 2008 coincide with
the upcoming 9th Conference of the Parties of
the Convention on Biological Biodiversity (CBD) to be held
in Bonn, Germany next year. In this context the organisers
hope to use WMBD to help spread the idea of migratory birds
as messengers for the conservation of biodiversity worldwide.
We encourage national authorities, NGOs,
clubs and societies, universities, schools and individuals
worldwide to celebrate WMBD 2008 by organizing awareness-raising
programs, festivals or other related events on the weekend
of 10 -11 May 2008.
The Secretariats of AEWA and CMS are happy
to be able to now officially announce WMBD 2008 and invite
everyone to participate and look forward to another successful
and global celebration with you!
For more information visit:
http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org
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