Water: Sustaining Bird Life
Since 1993 Nature Canada, Environment for the Americas and our Nature Network partners across Canada have worked to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on the second Saturday of May and October each year. Bird Day brings awareness to migratory birds and the threats they face on their epic annual journeys as well as the importance of the habitats they rely on as they fly through. This year’s conservation theme is Water: Sustaining Bird Life. It was chosen by Environment for the Americas to showcase the importance of protecting and restoring wetlands and marine habitats for migratory birds.
Lakes, ponds, rivers, bogs, marshes, rivers and oceans are all fundamental ecosystems that birds and many species at risk rely on. This year’s focus on water conservation hopes to bring more attention to the ways in which aquatic ecosystems are being degraded and the unfortunate consequences of human-caused threats, such as plastic pollution, fish farms, oil spills, and habitat loss.
Across the country, Nature Canada’s Bird Day partner organizations in the “Nature Network” are hosting many World Migratory Bird Day events to celebrate local bird populations while helping people learn about their feathered friends and help conservationists monitor them. Find a local event near you here and read more about this year’s Featured Bird Day species:
There are many ways that we can work together to help restore wild bird populations and their aquatic habitats this World Migratory Bird Day and beyond:
- Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in your garden and lawn will help to divert run-off into local watersheds
- Saving water by taking shorter showers and turning the tap off when brushing your teeth
- Reducing your purchasing of single-use plastics and other water pollutants
- Create a rainwater bin
- Advocating for the protection of your local aquatic habitats
- Becoming a Migratory Birds Defender! Sign the petition below to learn more about how you can protect birds in your community.
