BirdLife Community

Green Infrastructure – Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital

14. May 2013

On Monday 6th May the European Commission launched a new strategy to encourage the deployment of green infrastructure. The strategy also revealed a clear policy signal to ensure that the enhancement of natural processes that provide multiple benefits, such as green infrastructure, becomes a systematic part of spatial planning. This is a key element of the implementation of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy towards 2020.

All aboard for sustainable fisheries!

14. May 2013

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On Monday 13th May, the day of the opening of the EU Fisheries Council in Brussels, BirdLife Europe together with other NGOs, politicians, fishermen and chefs joined forces to stop overfishing and preserve our oceans in the campaign All Aboard!

Whooper Swans chose HeidelbergCement gravel pit to spend the winter

29. April 2013

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Whooper Swans chose HeidelbergCement gravel pit to spend the winter

The Dixförda gravel pits south of Potsdam in Germany are a very important night roosting place for the Whooper Swans. Up to 1120 individuals have been recorded, which makes them one of the biggest inland concentrations in Europe.

How can tourism play an important role in Portuguese seabird conservation?

26. April 2013

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Since January the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA; BirdLife in Portugal), together with Marlin Boat Tours are performing a monitoring scheme of birds at sea.

Egyptian Vultures found dead by poison in Greece

17. April 2013

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Egyptian Vultures found dead by poison in Greece

Two Egyptian Vultures have been found dead in Greece as reported by the Hellenic Ornithological Society. The deaths were caused by poisoned baits illegally placed to hunt foxes or wolves.

New study shows CAP reform risks greenwashing

17. April 2013

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New study shows CAP reform risks greenwashing

During the final days of public negotiations on the EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), BirdWatch Ireland (BirdLife in Ireland) in collaboration with An Taisce (The national trust for Ireland), and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) organized a conference on “the role of the Irish Presidency in sealing the deal on a greener CAP”. At the event a new study was launched, demonstrating that greening of the CAP is on course to failure.

Keeping the EU biofuels policy alive costs citizens €10bn a year

17. April 2013

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n April 17, was launched a study report revealing that the EU spends €10bn a year in support of the biofuels industry, a sum as big as the Cyprus bailout. Yet the industry is not achieving its objectives of climate change mitigation, rural development and energy security.

BirdLife Malta acts on illegal hunting

17. April 2013

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Following electoral pledges designed to woo hunters’ votes the new Maltese government has further relaxed the hunting legislation in a country sadly famed for its rampant illegal killing of birds. This worsens the situation created by the issuing of yet another derogation that allows a spring hunting season, even longer this year, in violation with the EU Birds Directive.

Ecological connectivity: what you do in your garden affects your neighborhood

16. April 2013

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Ecological connectivity: what you do in your garden affects your neighborhood

A new LIFE + project run by LIPU aims to raise citizens and authorities awareness on the importance of biodiversity by protecting an important nature area in Italy and communicating around nature.

Innovative solutions to bring clean air back into cities and their ports

11. April 2013

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Air pollution threatens climate, environment and human health. Each year approximately 500,000 people die prematurely from the direct consequences of poor air quality throughout the European Union. NABU (BirdLife in Germany), in collaboration with eight European green NGOs, has launched a tree year project aiming at developing concrete measures and solutions for a cleaner air in European ports and cities. The timing is perfect since clean air will be the focus of EU environmental policy discussions throughout 2013, the European Year of Air.

From the sands of the Sahara to the sands of CEMEX quarries

10. April 2013

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From the sands of the Sahara to the sands of CEMEX quarries

Sand Martins make an amazing journey every winter from the Sahara to the UK to breed in piles of sand. This year, every CEMEX UK quarry will be creating the sheer banks of sand that Sand Martins love to make their homes in, as part of the CEMEX-BirdLife International partnership.

Can Europe truly protect forests?

26. March 2013

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European countries, from Norway and Russia to Turkey and Kyrgyzstan have been negotiating for some time now on the future role of forests and the compliance of international and national actions for an enhanced forest protection for almost two years now.

BirdWatch Ireland exhibition in European Parliament: Nature creates prosperity

20. March 2013

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BirdWatch Ireland exhibition in European Parliament: Nature creates prosperity

In the context of the Irish EU Presidency (January to June 2013) BirdWatch Ireland arranges a photo exhibition in the European Parliament in Brussels of iconic Irish birds in a way to promote the role of the Irish EU Presidency in securing our well-being, jobs and a sustainable future.

From dogfight to protected birds’ estuary

19. March 2013

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From dogfight to protected birds’ estuary

After years of political dogfight there finally seems to be hope for the Western Scheldt estuary in the Netherlands, a partly enclosed coastal body of brackish water with multiple streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea.