BirdLife International

Forest Landscape Restoration is one of the most powerful tools we have right now, to tackle the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic inequality. But not all restoration efforts deliver on their potential. A culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing is critical to ensuring that every penny invested delivers the greatest possible benefit for people, nature, and the climate. #ForestDay

New Partnership: Protecting One of Indonesia’s Most Biodiverse Forest Landscapes 🌿🦎 On this International Day of Forests, the Hempel Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a new partnership with Burung Indonesia and BirdLife International, to protect the extraordinary and highly biodiverse Mbeliling landscape on Flores, #Indonesia. Picture this: a vibrant tapestry of tropical forests, where communities and wildlife thrive together. But this critical ecosystem and its people are facing challenges. These partners are working to enable local communities in the Mbeliling landscape to conserve and restore its vital forests, protect biodiversity, and safeguard important local freshwater supplies. Mbeliling contains five Key Biodiversity Areas, teeming with rare species such as Flores hawk eagles and Komodo dragons. By supporting sustainable agroforestry and creating a greener, more resilient and diverse local economy, we are celebrating the natural wealth of these forests and a brighter future can be built for both people and nature. Here at the Hempel Foundation, our international biodiversity portfolio focuses on conservation of tropical forests. Mbeliling is the latest gem in our international biodiversity portfolio, a collection of 19 tropical forest landscapes around the world – from Madagascar's dry spiny forests to the majestic montane forests of Ethiopia. They have been selected because they contain exceptional biodiversity, they are highly threatened, and they are underfunded. In other words, they are the places where our philanthropic support can have the greatest impact. We are committed to help conserve tropical forests, and we are delighted to announce this new partnership on the International Day of Forests. For more about our work on Biodiversity: https://lnkd.in/d8-AAa7H #InternationalDayofForests #Biodiversity #Mbeliling #Flores #Indonesia #AcceleratingChangeTogether #ACT David Emmett, Georgie White

🌲 On International #ForestDay 2025, we need to reflect on a pressing issue: European #forests, once our planet's green lungs are now becoming carbon emitters. Unsustainable logging and inadequate forest management have transformed these vital ecosystems from carbon sinks to carbon sources, releasing CO₂ instead of storing it. 🌡️ This shift exacerbates the #climate crisis, especially as we approach the critical 1.5°C global warming threshold. The European Union's goal of achieving a net removal of 310 Mt CO₂ in the land sector by 2030 is now at risk. 🌍 In Finland, forests transitioned from carbon sinks to sources in 2021, challenging the nation's carbon neutrality ambitions. Similarly, Estonia's forests became net #carbon emitters in 2020, earlier than anticipated due to increased logging and soil carbon loss. Germany's forests have also suffered, with significant tree losses attributed to climate-induced factors. 🔙 To reverse this trend, we must adopt sustainable forest management practices, reduce logging rates, and enhance forest resilience. Protecting our forests is essential to combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. Find out more in our article (link in the first comment) 👇

Huge victory for the Critically Endangered African Penguin! 🐧🎉 South Africa has officially agreed to establish no-fishing zones around six major breeding colonies, a crucial step toward protecting this iconic species. ✨ This landmark decision follows a hard-fought legal battle, culminating in an official High Court order in Pretoria. ⚖️ The agreement was reached by BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB, represented by the Biodiversity Law Centre, alongside commercial purse-seine fishers. 🐟 The newly established no-take zones will replace interim closures that conservation scientists have long deemed inadequate. ✅ While this is a significant win for African Penguins, the fight for their survival is far from over. Continued efforts are crucial to securing their future. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved and look forward to ongoing collaboration—not just for African Penguins but for the health of marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. 💙 📸 © Franceso de Marco 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eVWt5K_p  

🌿 A huge win for nature in the UK! 🦩 The Stone-curlew, once on the brink of disappearing, is making an incredible comeback! In 1985, there were only 150 breeding pairs, but thanks to 40 years of dedicated conservation efforts, their numbers have more than doubled. Through the tireless work of our UK Partner RSPB, along with committed farmers, volunteers, and support from the UK government, over 305 protected nesting plots have been created across 207 farms, giving these shy birds a safe place to breed. In 2024, a record-breaking 70% of breeding pairs in southern England used these safe nesting sites! This is a shining example of how conservation and farming can work hand in hand to protect wildlife. But to keep this success going, we need long-term government support. That’s why RSPB has launched a petition to ensure farmers get the backing they need to help nature thrive. By supporting farmers to protect wildlife, we can create a future where both people and nature flourish! 💚 📷: Wildlife World/Shutterstock #RestoreNature #StoneCurlew

Leaping into the weekend like...

China steps up for global flyways and protection of key wetlands. 💧🌏   Illegal poaching threatens the safe passage and survival of thousands of migratory birds that journey through China each year. But local authorities are fighting back!   Through public interest lawsuits, over 500,000 conservation cases have been actioned since 2017. Deputy Director General Qiu Jinghui revealed that high priority has been placed upon the “preventative, systematic and co-ordinated protection of wild birds.”🐦   The launch of the first Regional Flyway Initiative project at South Dongting Lake in the Hunan Province echoes this sentiment. Vinayagan Dharmarajah, the Asia Regional Director of BirdLife International shared, “This project builds on and seeks inspiration from China’s incredible efforts to protect wetlands and migratory birds.” The Regional Flyway Initiative was established in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) to revive wetlands at nearly 150 sites across Asia, empower communities and combat climate change. 🤝💚 Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gisxNCFP Learn about our new project at South Dongting Lake here: https://lnkd.in/evBq92yV   #BirdLifeGlobalFlyways #WildlifeTrade #Flyways #Conservation #BirdLifeInternational   

Everything you need to know about parrots!🦜 From the largest Hyacinth Macaw to the tiniest Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, all display hooked beaks and four toes per foot. The two toes pointing forward and two pointing backwards enable fluid climbing in treetops and help to handle fruit, nuts and other objects with ease.🌳 The 389 types of parrots in the world are each distinct and can be divided into four main groups: Old World Parrots, New World and African Parrots, New Zealand Parrots, and Cockatoos.🌏 They need our help like never before. Threats from habitat destruction, trapping for the pet trade, and invasive species continue to reduce populations, with 16 species already lost to extinction.🪵 Discover all there is to know about parrots in our article here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eiS9M5Gd 📷 1 Martin Mecnarowski, 2 Ondrej Prosicky, 3 Pavlina Trauskeova, 4 Olga Gauri - Shutterstock. #Parrots #WildlifeProtection #BirdLifeInternational #SaveParrots #WildlifeBehaviour #BirdBehaviour #ParrotFacts #NatureLover

New species discovered! 🐦✨ The beautiful Banda Myzomela occurs across three remote island groups in Indonesia, called the Banda Islands, Tanimbars and Babar. Males boast striking black and red plumage, feeding on nectar and small invertebrates.   Previously thought to be two subspecies, new research confirms they are in fact three distinct species—differing in plumage, size, and, most importantly, song. 🎶   Lead scientist and Red List Officer at BirdLife International, Alex Berryman explains: ‘‘The exciting discovery of distinct differences in the three populations of Banda Myzomela led us to propose recognition of three species. We suggest these species should be named after the islands in which they are found: Banda Islands Myzomela, Babar Myzomela and Tanimbar Myzomela. The population on Babar is described as species new to science!”   🔍 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eAyUajQ7 #NewSpecies #Nature #Conservation #BirdWatching #Biodiversity #Wildlife