August 2014 Environment for the Americas Newsletter
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2014 Theme: Why Birds Matter?
The Benefits of Birds to Humans and Nature |
 Not everyone is aware of the diversity of birds around the world, the amazing migrations some take, and the phenomenal range of behaviors, plumages, and songs they exhibit. International Migratory Bird Day 2014 shares the many ways in which birds matter to the earth, to ecosystems, and of course, to us.
Some bird species provide practical solutions to problems, such as the need for insect and rodent control. Others disperse seeds, helping to revegetate disturbed areas. Others are pollinators, ensuring that we are graced with flowering plants, trees, and shrubs. Beyond the utilitarian, birds are inspirations for the arts.
Amadeus Mozart had a pet starling that motivated the opening theme of the Third Movement of his Piano Concerto No. 17 in G. Beethoven used the songs of thrushes and blackbirds, and many musical pieces contain the call of the cuckoo. Paintings, poetry, and of course the IMBD 2014 hammered steel drum art all express the intangible joy birds provide us every day. Join us in raising awareness of birds and why they matter through International Migratory Bird Day.
The official date of IMBD in the U.S. and Canada is the second Saturday in May. In the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, IMBD is celebrated the second Saturday of October (Oct. 11, 2014). The celebration welcomes birds that have returned from their breeding grounds in the North. Since migratory birds do not migrate on one specific date, IMBD activities can take place whenever birds return to their non-breeding grounds. Bird Day is everyday! For more information, please visit our website.
We need your input for the IMBD conservation message in 2015! Please take this quick survey to help us develop next year's focus.
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Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day in Colombia
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Message from Alejandro Pinto Gomez, IMBD Coordinator in Colombia:
The growing knowledge of birds and fascinating migration process helps raise awareness around the world about bird conservation. However, deforestation activities and disruptions to ecosystems impact the natural processes of our shared birds. Help us raise awareness to old and young people alike through the celebration of International Migratory Bird Day- a space dedicated to learning about the importance of birds and their processes in natural ecosystems.
Meet our IMBD Colombia Coordinator:
Alejandro Pinto Gomez is a biologist from the National University of Colombia - Bogota and was a member of an ornithology university student group where he led various environmental education activities in Bogotá. He helped organize the National Meeting of Colombian Ornithology last year and his undergraduate thesis was on seed dispersal by frugivorous birds in forests and savannas on 2 national reserves. He coordinated IMBD in 2013 reaching hundreds of youth and adults throughout the country. He is currently conducting research on avifauna biodiversity in Colombia. To learn more about the IMBD programs in Colombia, contact Alejandro at apintog@unal.edu.co.
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