Conservation Goals

Roger Fotso A new site for the vulnerable Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes oreas was discovered by a BirdLife survey team in Cameroon. Zoom In

BirdLife focuses its effort around conservation goals for species, sites, habitats and people. All are vital elements of BirdLife's work.

Species

• Take action for all globally threatened bird species.
  Extinction is irreversible. Since globally threatened species are in greatest danger of extinction, they are given highest priority by BirdLife.

• Conserve, and where possible increase, the populations and natural ranges of declining wild bird species.
  Declining species will become threatened if conservation action is not taken. Declining bird numbers or distributions reflect overall loss of biological diversity and strongly indicates unsustainable practices.

• Maintain the populations and ranges of all naturally occurring wild bird species.
  All bird species are valuable in their own right and act as powerful symbols of the state of our environment.

Sites

• Take action to conserve, and where appropriate restore, all sites of global, regional and national importance to birds.
  Sites (Important Bird Areas) are units manageable for bird and biodiversity conservation and restoration. Focussing on areas of global and national importance enables BirdLife to set priorities effectively.

P Jepson Logging operations on Halmahera, Indonesia, are focused on lowland forest, the most important habitat for many bird species. Zoom In

Habitats

• Take action to maintain, and where appropriate restore, the extent and quality of habitats important for birds.
  Loss or deterioration of habitats, like forests, wetlands and oceanic island, has a negative effect on birds, biodiversity and people. Some human practices (for example agriculture, forestry, fisheries) change habitats and action to conserve birds at the habitat level is therefore most effective.

People

• Strengthen and grow a network of people who value wild birds, biodiversity and the wider environment.
  How people think and behave is the most powerful force affecting how we treat the environment; building a network of like-minded people brings direct benefits to birds and the people themselves.

• Integrate bird conservation needs into wider natural resource management for the benefit of both people and biodiversity.
  It is important to recognise that people control resources and they should be encouraged to manage these sustainably for their own benefit and for biodiversity.