Bird migration was the theme of my last post, hosting IATB #121. I just learned about the annual World Migratory Bird Day:

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 and is a annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second weekend each May, people around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day.

Each year features a theme, and the theme for 2010, designed to tie-in with this Year of Biodiversity , is “Save migratory birds in crisis – every species counts!.“  This annual event asks nothing more than for people all around the world to learn, to care, and to show it. This sort of event seems to be aimed at letting our world’s policymakers know what “the people” think. I’m for that! (one of my favorite expressions)

Photo, courtesy of WMBD. Waved Albatross © Farmgirl

On this, we can be clear. In the United States, we have enacted the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Since it’s passing in 1918, enforcing the the Act has been a challenge all to itself. Even today, there are citizens who believe they must take legal action against our own governing bodies, to force them to adhere to the protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.¹ Perhaps the simple – and probably fun -  act of showing up at a World Migratory Bird Day event in your area will remind your government that their responsibility is to uphold the laws. You have a chance to make it clear what “the people” care about.

I’ll close by saying that I’m the kind of person who would normally try to organize just sort of an event, but lately I’m having to admit when my “plate” is full. So instead of doing what my nature prompts me to do, I will be looking for an event in my area to simply attend.