NABU celebrated its 111 Anniversary. Zoom In

NABU is 111 years old

10-02-2010

NABU, the Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (BirdLife in Germany) recently celebrated its 111-year anniversary. With over 460,000 members and sponsors NABU is Germany's most representative environmental organisation.

"NABU tells a successful story of social commitment for nature conservation and environmental protection in Germany", said NABU's President Olaf Tschimpke during the press conference in Berlin which celebrated the anniversary. "In NABU we can count on a great popular support, where both employees and volunteers work together to preserve a healthy and diverse environment", continued Mr Tschimpke.

Founded in 1899 in Stuttgart by manufacturer's wife Lina Hähnle, as an 'alliance for the Birds', the association has evolved in the last 100 years into a modern environmental organisation with 15 regional branches and 30,000 volunteers. The protection of species and habitats, as well as climate change, land use and transport are central themes for NABU in this important anniversary year, which is also the International Year of Biodiversity.

"NABU lobbies hard to ensure that Germany and Europe are forerunners in biodiversity and climate topics" —Claus Mayr , NABU's Director of European Affairs

"NABU provides practical conservation on the ground and manages more than 5,000 protected areas in Germany." Mr Tschimpke appealed to the Federal Government to take more responsibility for agriculture, which was responsible for 11% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Germany.

Recently, NABU succeeded on lobbying the new Federal Government to implement a national programme and funds for better implementation of Germany's National Biodiversity Strategy. "NABU lobbies hard to ensure that Germany and Europe are forerunners in biodiversity and climate topics not only in words, but also in concrete action", says Claus Mayr - NABU's Director of European Affairs, working closely with the BirdLife European Division in Brussels.

NABU also works on joint-conservation projects outside of Germany. The NABU International Department is responsible for implementing projects in Africa, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Their international work ranges from species conservation, habitat protection, and establishment of protected areas, ecotourism and environmental education right through to capacity building, nature conservation as a means of crisis prevention, fighting poverty and the strengthening of civil society.

"This year we don't just celebrate NABU's 111th anniversary, but also the 40th anniversary of their 'Bird of the Year' campaign. Therefore I would like to wish them a Happy Double Birthday and many successful years ahead!" concluded Angelo Caserta, Regional Director of the BirdLife International European Division.

For further information see www.NABU.de  

This year the Bird of the Year Campaign celebrates the Great Cormorant. More information at www.kormoranfreunde.de  

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