I don't know whether I speak for a lot of people here, but my view is that
BirdLife Australia is not a very effective organisation and its
predecessors, the RAOU, Birds Australia... haven't been either.
The CEO writes "Sadly, government funding for long term conservation
programs like Shorebirds ended in mid 2013 (and, frankly, it's not coming
back)." Well, the RAOU was founded over a 100 years ago, what was it doing
during that time such that there is no odium or penalty attached to
governments who don't support the environment? Why did it not influence
public discourse throughout this period, and why does it not influence now,
such that this blithe acceptance of inevitability of government
indifference is acceptable?
On 8 December 2015 at 17:46, Paul Sullivan <>
wrote:
> 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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--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
I want to be with the 9,999 other things.
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