Adrian Long / BirdLife International Elena D’Andrea, LIPU’s Director General, and Armando Bellassai, Chief of Circeo National Park, unveil the IBA sign Zoom In

Sign-ificant ceremony marks astonishing spread of IBAs

24-10-2006

During this year's World Bird Festival, BirdLife International focused on awareness of Important Bird Areas (IBAs). The first step in raising awareness is telling people where and what IBAs are, so the unveiling of the first IBA sign in Europe, at Circeo National Park IBA in Italy, was particularly significant.

“Local awareness of IBAs is very important for their conservation, so let's hope this sign is the first of many,” said BirdLife's Head of Communications, Ade Long, who was present at the unveiling. And indeed many will be required, with more than 10,000 IBAs worldwide.

Local awareness is certainly high at Circeo National Park. The national park is spread across three municipalities, and all three mayors attended the event, together with representatives from the regional authorities responsible for the management of Circeo National Park.

Adrian Long / BirdLife International IBA sign at Circeo National Park Zoom In

“People are becoming more conscious of the importance of their local birds and biodiversity, as shown by the growth of membership among BirdLife Partners.” —Elena D'Andrea, Director General of LIPU

The Chief of the national park, Armando Bellassai, spoke of his astonishment at the worldwide spread of the IBA Programme.

But LIPU's Director General, Elena D'Andrea, was less surprised. “People are becoming more conscious of the importance of their local birds and biodiversity, as shown by the growth of membership among BirdLife Partners. IBAs and the local groups that support them provide a focus for the growing public desire to get involved.”