Project Migratory Birds for People

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Amice Wilkerson
5 years ago
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1 Project Migratory Birds for People

2 Initiating partners of the programme: Wetland Link International, Slimbridge, UK Wetlands International, Ede, NL Staatsbosbeheer, NL > Supported by <

3 WHAT is the aim of this programme? Migratory Birds for People aims at better and more efficient public awareness-raising about the dependence of migratory water birds on European and African wetlands through a network of wetland visitor centres situated across Europe and West- Africa.

with information on the location of migratory waterbirds using

4 HOW will we reach this aim? The European and African centres share and provide each other with information on the location of migratory waterbirds using webcams, satellite tracking, films and other information sources, working with local stakeholders

5 The MBP partners are working together because they see the following benefits of developing a network: Tool to forward the goals of flyway conservation Connect wetland centres, also as part of WLI Acquire more knowledge and Improve wetland (centre) management; Sharing tools and materials Improve communication Obtaining resources (e.g. EU funds) More cooperation between nature practitioners;

WHAT is this international context? This information is helping to improve understanding of the international dimension of nature conservation.

6 WHAT is this international context? This information is helping to improve understanding of the international dimension of nature conservation. (NATURA 2000 and the Ramsar convention) QUESTION: Can we replace CEPA?! The programme fits within the CEPA-programme of the Ramsar convention

7 East- Atlantic Flyway

8 WHAT is this international context? Part of the wider WLI initiative of 300 wetland centres globally

9 AND: Outreach to West- African visitor centres at Ramsar sites

10 Workshop in Spain, January 2011 Core group meetings by SKYPE Newsletters Workshop in Belgium, January 2012

11 Strategies To tackle these problems, the MBP Programme identified for strategies. Workgroups Public Communication Strategy; Capacity Building for Staff Strategy; Network Development Strategy and communication; Funding Strategy

12 Progress over the last year Last meeting in Genk, September 2012, discussed EACEA bid, improvements to communication, and how to work with minimal funding - Cooperation through enthusiasm and opportunity Economic downturn is still slowing progress Quarterly newsletters produced with updates from across the partnership (thanks to Roelof!) Regular MBP committee meetings by skype Funding for this annual meet at Takern (thanks to Ellen and team) Building of the partnership new partners in Portugal and Spain, increased links with West Africa (more from TM later), Estonia and Lithuania Exchange visits between NL and DK, S, and D; Funding bids to Darwin and EACEA; Linking scientific research discussions with scientific community CEPA Action plan for Russia and Russian workshops

13 MBP questionnaire 12 responses half were NGOs, and half run by government bodies. 10 were visitor centres. Most said that they worked with all ages of students, only half said they did any research or volunteer programmes. Ecotourism was also mentioned as an activity. Half said they received between 20,000-50,000 visitors each year, 3 between 5,000-20,000, and one over 200, said they had education/interpretation buildings. All had parking, a website, wildlife viewing facilities, outdoor trails, and outdoor signage however the indoor facilities varied a lot. Most said they sometimes had contact with other wetland centres, with only 2 saying they often had contact. Existing partnerships tended to be national, and most were part of national partnerships / networks. In terms of events run by centres, the most important ones tended to be locally focused, but no mention of World Wetlands Day. All said they would like to work more closely with other centres, but the barriers identified were largely about the lack of time, funding and the language barrier were also mentioned. 7 people said they would be prepared to spend more time supporting MBP via regular telephone conference, and 4 said maybe.

14 MBP questionnaire The most important benefit of MBP was the sharing of best practice with other centres, followed by updates on other centres work, developing joint projects, and celebrating World Wetlands Day and World /Migratory Bird Day. Behind this came collaborative research, and promotion of wetland policy. What would you like MBP to support you with? Top answers were arrange exchange visits, and share communication between centres. This was followed by production of shared resource for educators and joint fundraising, then arranging international conferences, with only a few saying they needed capacity building and training.

Manual on developing wetland centers Existing manual produced in 2006 by WLI Funding from Korean partner will support workshop, November 2013 20 wetland centre reps from

15 Manual on developing wetland centers Existing manual produced in 2006 by WLI Funding from Korean partner will support workshop, November wetland centre reps from across the world will attend Resource will be based on case studies and experience Input from MBP would be very useful content, access, case studies Comment on old manual

16 Objectives for the Annual Meeting 2013 / Sweden Assess our progress as MBP over the last year, identify successes and areas for improvement. Identify areas of our workplan to focus on over the next 1-2 years, with input from wetland centre staff. Make links to wider initiatives such as AEWA, NorBalWet and Ramsar Take the opportunity to visit and learn from a 'state of the art' wetland centre Offer wetland centre staff the opportunity to learn from each other and feed into the MBP process. learn about each other's natura 2000 areas and birds, and how all of our areas are linked.

17 Challenges for this meet and beyond How to get partners more active? Obtaining funding and resources Combatting the insularity of wetland centres Celebrating what we do

18 Core Group Chris Rostron (Head of Wetland Link International Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Slimbridge, UK) Taej Mundkur (Programme Manager - Flyways, Wetlands International) Liesbet Cleynhens, (Natuurpunt, Belgium) Ellen Hultman, (Manager Naturum Lake Tåkern, Östergötland, Sweden) Abdoulaye Ndiaye, (Capacity Building Manager, Wetlands International Africa), Dakar, Senegal) Theo de Bruin (Projectleader visitor centre, Oostvaardersland,Staatsbosbeheer, NL) Roelof Heringa (Project manager & International affairs, Staatsbosbeheer, NL)

19 Thank you for your attention! Birds with a transmitter Have a look! He s just above us! I saw that already, yeah..

Notes from MBP meeting 2014, Centre de Découverte de Scamandre, France

Notes from MBP meeting 2014, Centre de Découverte de Scamandre, France 15th and 16th of September 2014 Attendees: Chris, Rostron, WWT, UK Jérémiah Petit, Centre de Scamandre, Camargue, France Milène Filleux,