Technology willing, I've responded to a few questions raised on this forum
(I've being lurking and listening with interest).
Firstly, BirdLife's appeal is aimed at the hundreds of thousands of Australians
who are not aware of the wonderful journey and plight of our migratory
shorebirds - the "silence". Our supporter base is very broad and growing fast;
it does not just include members who know their birds.
Ornithologists may have known this is a conservation issue for decades but the
fact that birds like Eastern Curlew are now critically endangered suggests our
collective efforts (here and overseas) to date are not working - the "crisis”.
Sadly, government funding for long term conservation programs like Shorebirds
ended in mid 2013 (and, frankly, it's not coming back). So we all need to
accept the pivotal and growing role of our wonderful donors to fund bird
conservation. Thanks to our generous supporters, programs like Beach-nesting
Birds are core funded; we've re-invested in Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas
and developed a new (and exciting, watch this space) Birdata portal and app to
support our volunteers.
We are trying hard to match our communications and language with the audience
but this is a work in progress. We are only as smart as our database (hence the
recent survey).
The shorebirds appeal and a forthcoming campaign into 2016 will allow BirdLife
to play a leadership role in the implementation of a new conservation plan for
migratory shorebirds (soon to be released by the federal government). We know
what the solutions are. This is a real opportunity to build momentum,
partnerships and action - in Australia and the Flyway - so we can all continue
to enjoy these birds.
For the record, our fundraising program is a very low cost model, managed
in-house by a small professional team. A Committee of people with public
standing oversee all public donations to ensure they are properly accounted for
in accordance with the constitution and guidelines applying to the Register of
Environmental Organisations.
Many on BirdingAus already help by volunteering, donating and/or sharing their
expertise. Thank you. I am very grateful for your support.
As RSPB founder William Henry Hudson said, "You cannot fly like an eagle with
the wings of a wren". Bird conservation will rely on a movement of people like
you who care about birds and nature.
Enjoy your festive break and keep fighting for our native birds.
Paul Sullivan
Chief Executive
BirdLife Australia
0477 007522
[BirdLife Australia 2016 Calendar]<https://store.birdlife.org.au>
Spend a month with 12 different spectacular Australian birds and
support BirdLife Australia’s vital conservation work in the process!
Our 2016 wall calendar is available now at
store.birdlife.org.au<https://store.birdlife.org.au>
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