LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is once again a proud sponsor of International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), this Saturday, May 9th. The Service invites the public to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation in their local communities and beyond. Initiated in 1993, IMBD was created to focus attention on the amazing journeys that some 350 bird species undertake between their nesting homes in the U.S. and Canada and non-breeding habitats in Latin America.
Each year, IMBD explores a different aspect of migratory birds and their conservation. This year, the IMBD theme is “Restore Habitat, Restore Birds.” Habitat is defined as the home or environment where food, water, and shelter can be found, and is critical to every living creature on earth, including birds. Loss and degradation of habitat are primary threats to bird populations. The 2015 IMBD theme focuses on the importance of preserving existing habitat, the threats to habitat, and suggests ways to get involved in habitat restoration projects at home, in communities, and further afield.
Although International Migratory Bird day is typically held on the second Saturday in May, any day can be an opportunity to celebrate migratory birds. This IMBD is a chance to take a closer look at habitats, explore their importance to birds and their conservation, and be part of habitat restoration locally and globally. There are a number of events across the country put on by the Service’s conservation partners aimed at connecting people with migratory birds. For a list of opportunities to join the celebration and additional information about IMBD, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/birds/imbd/.
