Birding NSW Commitment to Conservation
Caring about conservation is integral to birdwatchers’ world view. Without habitat that provided an available food supply and nesting sites and protection from feral predators, there would be few birds to watch. Birding NSW has been actively supporting conservation efforts for over 50 years through a variety of strategies.
- Submissions to influence those officials involved in making decisions impacting on wildlife survival. This is the role of the Club Conservation Officer.
- The collection of data which can be used as evidence for both the need for conservation efforts and to evaluate the success of conservation plans implemented.
- Direct Financial Support
Members are invited to make a voluntary donation to Birding NSW with their annual membership renewal payment. All the donations made are amalgamated, enabling the Club to make a contribution to researching some aspect of the study and conservation of birds in Australia, particularly those of relevance to New South Wales. These are often relatively small projects, not in line for funding from Government or large conservation organisations. Recent projects supported include those for ‘Tracking the Australian Painted-snipe’ and ‘Implications of Changes in Gould’s Petrels breeding sites’.
Surveys
Surveys are a practical way to support conservation. Members have participated in many surveys, both large and small, over the years. Currently, the Sydney branch organises two surveys, the Grenfell Survey, which is carried out twice a year, and the Centennial Park Survey, which is carried out quarterly. The Central Coast Group have a monthly survey program running at the South Wyong Sewage Treatment Works.
Club members are involved in a variety of other surveys and conservation activities, including the annual Sydney Olympic Park surveys, the Cowra Woodland surveys and tree planting in the Capertee Valley for the Regent Honeyeater Recovery Program.
National Bird Databases
Members are encouraged to contribute their own birding data to Birdata or eBird, thus adding to the store of information available to support a range of conservation efforts. Both websites have useful information and extensive instructions.