EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Mar 16, 2015) - Leading bird and nature organizations in Canada and the United States, representing millions of birders, are embracing modern conservation science and calling for increased protection of North America's boreal forest, the annual breeding ground for billions of birds.
The Boreal Songbird Initiative and Ducks Unlimited, with the backing of other leading organizations, are launching the Boreal Birds Need Half campaign to protect at least 50% of the boreal forest from industrial development. The campaign is endorsed by National Audubon Society, Bird Studies Canada, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Environment for the Americas, Nature Canada, Nature Needs Half, Birdzilla, and Wild Bird Centers of America.
These groups represent a growing army of bird enthusiasts that numbers in the tens of millions. A 2012 survey by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Task Force found that nearly 1 in 5 adult Canadians consider themselves birders. This group spends more time birding (133 days per year) than those engaged in any other nature-based activity. A similar survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that nearly 50 million Americans identify as birders. Birding is also big business, with billions of dollars spent on bird-related activities each year.
"Protecting at least 50% of the boreal forest is in line with what modern conservation science contends is needed to preserve the ecological health of the forest and its biodiversity, and we hope that governments will adopt land conservation policies that reflect the science," said Dr. Jeff Wells, senior scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative and International Boreal Conservation Campaign. "The importance of boreal forest habitat for birds will only increase in the future; climate change has already begun pushing bird ranges further north, making the boreal forest an important refuge-a 'Noah's Ark' for birds," added Wells.
A recent poll in Manitoba showed the public strongly supports increased boreal forest conservation: 88% of those polled favored protecting at least half of the boreal forest, with 63% believing the level of protection should be even higher.
"When you see broad support from the scientific community, bird organizations, and everyday citizens, it makes a compelling case for increased boreal forest protection," said Kevin Smith, national manager of boreal programs for Ducks Unlimited Canada. "In addition to protecting 50% of the boreal forest, sustainably managed development in the remaining areas will be essential to striking the right balance between ecological health and economically healthy communities."