MARIGOT--“Spread Your Wings for Bird Conservation” is the theme for this year’s celebration of the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF). At dozens of events throughout the region, participants of all ages will learn about endemic birds, local ecosystems, and how everyone can participate in activities that help safeguard their long-term survival.
The festival, now in its 15th year, is led by Birds Caribbean, the largest organisation devoted to wildlife conservation in the Caribbean. The month-long festival includes Caribbean-wide activities from Earth Day (April 22) to International Biodiversity Day (May 22), in more than twenty countries.
The event celebrates the 173 bird species that are found only in the Caribbean, known as endemics. The programme attracts over 80,000 participants and volunteers each year.
St. Martin takes part in this regional celebration with the Endemic Animal Festival, now in its third year organised by the Les Fruits de Mer association and this year’s event will be held from 9:00am to noon on Sunday, April 24, at the St. Maarten Zoo in Madame Estate.
The event will showcase native animal signage recently installed at the zoo. Other attractions include an Endemic Animal Discovery Station where guests can get up close with some of the locally-endemic species, a Birdwatching Station on the Great Salt Pond hosted by local naturalist Binkie van Es, and a variety of endemic animal themed art activities.
The goal of the month-long Festival over its 15-year history has always been to increase public awareness of the region’s exceptionally rich and threatened bird life, using the Caribbean's celebrated endemic birds as flagships of conservation.
“It’s up to all of us to be good stewards of our environment so that our invaluable natural heritage is preserved for all Caribbean people to enjoy.” commented Leo Douglas, President of Birds Caribbean.
Festival participants will learn about actions that they can take to help conserve birds. At this year’s Endemic Animal Festival, guests can take home a free Endemic Animal Activity book that features a variety of species found only on St. Martin or only in the region and even includes some tips on great ways to enjoy nature and help protect it.
To view reports and photos of past Caribbean Endemic Bird Festivals, and for downloadable Festival resources, visit www.birdscaribbean.org.
Birds Caribbean is the largest regional organisation devoted to wildlife conservation in the Caribbean. It is a non-profit organization whose goals are to promote the scientific study and conservation of Caribbean birds and their habitats, and to promote greater public awareness of the bird life of the region.
