WMBD event in Arkhangelsk, Russia

Compiled by Alexander Solokha, Wetlands Int. Russia and Marina Bushuyeva, State EcologicalCenter of Arkhangelsk Region

Photo courtesy by Marina Bushuyeva, Vladimir Khudyakov and Alexander Solokha

The organizers were the Wetlands International Russia and State Ecological Center of Arkhangelsk Region. This event has brought together the officials, ornithologists, specialists on protected areas, students, teachers and many schoolchildren. Museum’s director has opened the seminar followed by the representative of the city administration and expert of Wetland International with welcome speech and introduction.

 Local experts told about migratory waterbirds, their staging areas in Arkhangelsk region and explained the role of migratory birds for ecosystem and people and.

Protected areas cover several important stopover sites in Northern Dvina Delta and the White Sea coast, but poaching and disturbance are still serious threats for birds. Students prepared nice presentations about several species of geese, swans and ducks, their ecology and issues of conservation.

Special competition for knowledge of the birds was organized for children, and winners received the WMBD posters and small presents from the Wetlands International and Dvina Delta NGO. By the end of the meeting all visitors came outside to Dvina pavement for bird observation in the river value through telescops.

 This event was very successful in terms of awareness raising and promotion of migratory bird protection and wise use in Arkhangelsk region. All participants enjoined it and suggested to celebrate the WMBD every year from now. State Ecological Center will be main organizer for the WMBD in Arkhangelsk region.

 This event was organized in the framework of project ‘Building public support for waterbird protection in the White Sea region’ supported by Matra program of the Government of theNetherlands. Russian version of report is available at http://www.eco29.ru/news/vsemirnyj-den-migriruyushchikh-ptits.