Ralph Steadman's view on NBI

Northern bald ibis is a highly iconic bird, and his image has been largely reproduced by many artists.

This impressive image is an artwork by Ralph Steadman (renowned for his political and social caricatures, cartoons and picture books) for the project Ghosts of gone birds. This is a huge creative project involving more than 120 artists to encourage preservation of bird species through raising awareness and funds for  BirdLife International's Preventing Extinctions programme.

BirdLife Species Guardians

from http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/guardians.html

Mahmoud Abdullah A Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis is  fitted with a satellite transmitter in Syria.  Central to the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme is the appointment of Species Guardians who take the lead in conserving a globally threatened species in their country or region. Their primary role is to take and encourage greater conservation action for their species, working with national and local governments, other concerned individuals, organisations and local communities. BirdLife will appoint and support organisations and individuals from across the world - leaders in their field willing to take on this new global challenge. In addition to undertaking conservation work themselves, the Species Guardians will also monitor the status of the species, track the implementation and effect of actions taken, and report back to BirdLife on these each year. Priority is given to the recruitment of and support to Species Guardians for globally threatened species that are Critically Endangered and are most urgently in need of conservation attention. The actions required vary from species to species, depending on the threats they face, and typically include habitat and site conservation, control of hunting and trapping, tackling invasive alien species, education and awareness-raising, building local community and government support, as well as research and monitoring.

BirdLife provides these Species Guardians with technical support, training, and the investment of funds for conservation action, based on mutually agreed Species Guardian Project Plans. BirdLife also supports the Species Guardiansthrough liaison with decision-makers and governments, and raising awareness through ensuring coverage of their conservation work by the world’s media.

BirdLife’s cutting-edge global science work ensures Species Guardians operate with objectivity and adhere to clear global priorities, and that systems are in place to measure success. BirdLife’s unique global structure, including its regional program offices and in-country Partners, will ensure that Species Guardians are never far from technical help and moral and practical support.

To download the Species Guardians information fact sheet click here (PDF 444KB) or for Spanish version click here (PDF 371KB).

To find out about the latest conservation news from Species Guardians read the Guardian action updates.

BirdLife International Species Champions

from http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/champions.html

Taking a stand and making a difference...

BirdLife Species Champions are a growing community of companies, institutions and individuals that support the conservation which prevents bird extinctions.

As well as providing the funding that brings threatened birds back from the brink of extinction, Species Champions also draw attention to the plight of the species they support and all the other threatened species the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme embraces.

Saving threatened birds from extinction is neither simple nor straightforward. It is often expensive and always takes time. BirdLife Species Champions recognise this and are taking a stand now in the knowledge they are providing a last hope for the world’s most threatened birds.

100% of your money is used where it matters most...

When you or your organisation becomes a Species Champion you can be assured your support is quickly channelled where it is needed most. 100% of every contribution goes to help prevent extinctions.

In addition to funding BirdLife Species Guardians who carry out conservation on the ground, a small proportion of every contribution also helps protect the ‘orphaned’ species for which no champion has yet stepped forward. In this way we are putting conservation in place where it doesn’t exist today - before it is too late.

For many Critically Endangered birds time is running out...

Recruiting new BirdLife Species Champions is imperative. The average annual cost of turning around the fortunes of a Critically Endangered Species is over £20,000. It also requires sustained investment which is why we are asking all our Species Champions to make a three year commitment.

It is possible to support the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme at several different levels. Major donors can become a Species Champion for a Critically Endangered bird, or support the entire Birdlife Preventing Extinctions Programme. It is also possible to become a BirdLife Species Champion, supporting the programme, at lower funding levels.

It’s a cliché, but every little does help...

Any contribution, whatever size, makes a difference. Together, the many smaller donations we have already received are collectively funding species recovery already.

Join with us now so that together we can turn the tide on bird extinctions and give otherwise condemned species like Siberian Crane, Bengal Florican and Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a last chance to avoid becoming just a distant memory for ourselves and unimaginable for our children. 

To find out how to become a Birdlife Species Champion or Preventing Extinctions Programme Supporter please contact us today:

Email: species.champions@birdlife.org

Telephone:             +44 1223 277 318      

Or write to us at BirdLife Species Champions, BirdLife International,Welbrook Court, Girton Road Cambridge, CB3 ONA, United Kingdom.

Species Champion for NBI is HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco

BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme

Birds are disappearing forever…

The natural rate of bird extinction is one bird per century. In the last thirty years alone, 21 bird species have become extinct. At present, 189 are classified as Critically Endangered. On the very edge of extinction. Without immediate action, many will not be here in ten years’ time.

The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme can save them…

To prevent more species being lost, we have launched the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. The BirdLife International Partnership is a global network of independent nature conservation organisations operating in more than 100 countries. We are able to operate across borders and beyond politics. We really make a difference.

We’re best placed to help…

BirdLife’s work to evaluate and monitor the status of the world’s bird species began many years ago. We now know the threats that face every globally threatened bird, and the main conservation actions required to protect them.

Species Guardians undertake the conservation…

The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme is already delivering active conservation. To ensure the right protection is put into place we are appointing Species Guardians for each threatened species – organisations or individuals best placed to protect the bird. Find out the Latest news from the field.

Species Champions fund the work…

Preventing extinctions is neither quick nor cheap and BirdLife International relies entirely on charitable donations. We are actively recruiting Species Champions. These are a growing community of Companies, Institutions and Individuals who share our concerns and demonstrate their commitment to protecting the planet’s natural heritage by funding the work undertaken by our Species Guardians.

Help save birds today…

Species Champions are urgently needed. If you’d like to become a Species Champion please click here. If you’d like to make a donation to the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme please click here. The first Species Champions have already stepped forward - click here to view our roll of honour.

Download the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme brochure here (PDF 450KB). For Spanish version click here (PDF 609KB).

Download the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme Annual Report here (PDF 2.5MB)

To find out more about the science underpinning the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme click here

NBI on Angry Birds

(from http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/12/get-angry-fight-extinction/)

Rovio Entertainment Ltd, world-leading entertainment media company and creator of the unprecedented global gaming phenomenon Angry Birds, has launched a remarkable new Angry Birds campaigning website today in support of The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme.

The new Angry Birds website encourages millions of fans to play the latest version of Angry Birds for Chrome online, to get angry about extinctions and to make a donation – providing vital help for ‘the world’s 189 angriest birds’ – those which BirdLife International classifies as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

In addition to requesting donations, the new website encourages and helps Angry Birds’ fans to find out more about the extraordinary globally threatened species the BirdLife International Partnership is taking conservation action for today. Ten of BirdLife’s flagship Preventing Extinctions projects are highlighted and fans are also encouraged to stay in touch with BirdLife news and activities by becoming BirdLife Facebook Friends.

“We are delighted to support BirdLife International with this new Angry Birds initiative”, said Peter Vesterbacka – Rovio’s Mighty Eagle and CMO. “We are pleased to be in a position to help such important conservation action and anticipate our loyal fans will respond very positively to our Angry Birds call to Get Angry and Fight Back”.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for BirdLife”, said Jim Lawrence – BirdLife International’s Preventing Extinctions Programme Manager. “We are thrilled to be Angry Birds’ charity of choice and we look forward to seeing how this exciting campaign develops and our future relationship evolves”.