Introduction
World Migratory Bird Day is an annual global awareness-raising campaign. To educate and raise awareness of the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats, we are inviting groups of school children in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway to visit a wetland, learn about bird migration, wetlands and relate to the theme of the World Migratory Bird Day, and conduct activities. Later on, they will connect with other school children from along the flyway in video calls to share their new knowledge and activities. The event is led by the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat and Wetland Link International.
Educational outcomes
Topics: Biology (migratory waterbirds), geography (wetlands), World Migratory Bird Day theme (2022: Light Pollution)
Skills: communication across boundaries; language; expression and comprehension; identifying local birds.
How to join
- Prepare an activity plan to bring groups of school children to visit a wetland to learn about migratory waterbirds, wetlands, or the theme of World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) – Light Pollution:
- Apply to join the “Birds and School” Programme
- Selected schools or wetland centres will conduct the activities
- Around WMBD, connect with other schools from the Flyway in a virtual meeting to share their activities and knowledge
Targeted People
- Wetland Educators or communicators, school teachers (typically from a wetland centre or a local school linked with a wetland centre)
- Group of children/young people (typically a school class or nature club, age between 8-12)
Language:
- local languages for conducting activities at site; English for virtual meeting
Venue:
- Location for birdwatching and activities: typically wetland visitor centre
- Location for video conference: via Zoom at a wetland visitor centre or school
Activity period:
- Activity implementation: September to October, 2022 (also welcome existing activities started before September)
- Date of Virtual party: 7th October, 2022 (TBC)
Quota:
- 6-8 schools/wetland centres from different countries in East Asian-Australasian Flyway; 5-8 students per school/wetland centre
Application
- Download the application form and submit it to communication@eaaflyway.net and wmbd@eaaflyway.net
- Deadline: 23 September, 2022
Model
Wetland Link International (WLI) has led these activities in Europe, and supported them in the Americas and Africa, in 2017, 2018, and 2019 (link). The refined model is:
Content:
Guidelines following WLI – Birds and Schools Programme (link)
- Schools carry out activities related to wetlands and migratory waterbirds at visitor centres (or at schools)
- Content could be related to WMBD, or wetlands and migratory waterbirds in general as stated above
- At the end of activities, the schools will have a joint webinar to share what they did and students to interact
- The children introduce themselves and their wetland centre visit in brief; they ask each other the same questions in sequence.
Resources:
Information and teaching resources:
- EAAFP CEPA Resources – Schools and Educators: https://www.eaaflyway.net/cepa-schools-and-educators/
- About Birds and Schools previous experiences:
https://wli.wwt.org.uk/resources/priority-theme-resources/migratory-birds/birds-and-schools/
- World Migratory Bird Day
EAAFP World Migratory Bird Day materials: https://www.eaaflyway.net/world-migratory-bird-day-2022/
Official website: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
For inquiries, please contact Vivian Fu, Communication Officer at communication@eaaflyway.net
