A time to reflect back on a year and a decade, and to look forward to the future and what we can do to make this planet a better place for all creatures, great and small.
I feel fortunate to be part of a growing community of conservation minded people who strive to do all we can to help the birds around us in their struggle to survive. Let’s face it, unless we have unlimited time and resources, we are not able to champion every cause we are concerned about in the world. I have chosen to contribute what I can to help bird species survive and thrive in an uncertain world that they themselves have no way to control.
Besides offering feeders and birdhouses in my own backyard, and working on making my yard more efficient by planting native species, bluebird trails have been my main focus over the years to encourage the Western Bluebird and other cavity nesting birds to breed in areas where their habitat may have been compromised by human activity.
I am proud to embark on another project to help the Western Burrowing Owl regain a foothold in northern California, where they have been declining in numbers for many years. Thanks to a grant from California Audubon, I will be able to install at least two separate communities of burrows that I hope will find occupants of breeding owl pairs this Spring.
I have also decided to expand my conservation efforts by joining the Birdlife International’s Preventing Extinctions Programme, becoming a BirdLife Species Champion!
BirdLife International “is a global Partnership of conservation organizations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.” What better way to support birds worldwide than to give to a world class organization that supports global biodiversity!
The Preventing Extinctions Programme does just what it says, prevents more birds from becoming extinct, all over the world. There are currently 192 birds classified as critically endangered. Without the help provided by this program and our donations, many of these species may not survive.
You can help by going directly to their donation page or, better yet, become a BirdLife Species Champion! You can contact Jim Lawrence, Development Manager for the BirdLife International Preventing Extinctions Programme for more information.
Look for more conservation information and updates from BirdLife International in upcoming posts.
Check out SkyWatch Friday and Bird Photography Weekly too!
Comments on this entry are closed.
Larry, excellent news about you and the SC programme. Jim is a great guy isn’t he. I hope that we can put our heads together over the coming months and find a way of promoting the PEP on both blogs.
Have a great year!
Charlie
.-= Charlie´s last blog ..I Hate Common Gulls (Especially in Brooklyn) =-.
@Charlie thanks for the announcement and your support for this excellent program, as well as the 10,000 Birds Conservation Club!
Yes Jim is a great guy and the perfect man for the job. I look forward to working with you on PEP promotions
Thank you for pointing that program out!
Will look into it tomorrow.
I love the shots of the Bluebird and the Owls 🙂
Happy 2010 and happy birding to you!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..January Photo challenge – Go black and white =-.
Great birds and very worthwhile programs. Each person can make a difference in their own area.
.-= Mick´s last blog ..Rainbow Lorikeets – again! =-.
Larry, it is wonderful you are so involved in the conservation of these wonderful birds.
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..Merganser Reflection =-.
Great work, Larry! I’m thrilled to hear about you becoming an SC. What you do is inspirational, but more importantly it’s essential. I appreciate your efforts more than you know. Thank you!
Good for you, Larry. I’m grateful for everything you do for the birds and the organizations you support. The world would be a lesser place without our cute burrowing owls.
.-= Wren´s last blog ..brogla (bird photography weekly) =-.
This is great news, Larry! The Burrowing Owls are lucky to have you as their champion. 🙂
.-= Amber Coakley´s last blog ..ID Challenge – January, 2010 =-.
…that’s exciting, Larry. I look forward to future posts on your work with the Burrowing Owls! Thanks for the link to the link for BirdLife International also…
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..365 days later ‘Ole Blue is stealing peanuts from Red…and is still trying to get me to rename the blog… =-.
I salute you, Larry, for the commendable things you are doing to provide habitat for the local birds. More power to you!
.-= bob k´s last blog ..Franklin’s my dear, I got a lifer! =-.
I’ve contacted them a while back with some questions about their work here in Egypt, but got no reply yet 🙁
I’ll keep waiting, I guess…
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Shopping carts on coral reefs =-.