Washington,
16 May 2007: Over 70 scientists and policy makers
gathered today at the Smithsonian Institution to discuss
opportunities and challenges for migratory wildlife from
a North-American perspective. The meeting was organized
in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme
Convention on Migratory Species.
Connectivity emerged as the key word of the debate. “Understanding
migratory connectivity is critical for conservation”
said Peter Marra, of the Migratory Bird Center of the
Smithsonian Institution. Participants agreed that more
investments are needed in research on migration pathways
and patterns and understanding the whole life cycles of
the species. It was also clear that new technologies are
unlocking many of the secrets of migration and populations,
and the use of tracking and molecular techniques is vital
to providing key scientific knowledge for conservation,
sustainable use and effective management. Enhanced international
cooperation was a constant theme at the meeting.
“Connectivity is not only needed at the physical
level to link important areas for migration, connectivity
is also needed amongst governments and agencies within
governments. Physical and political connectivity are prerequisites
for successful conservation of migratory species moving
across borders”, stressed Robert Hepworth, Executive
Secretary of the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species.
Presentations at the meeting introduced our current understanding
and mechanisms for management of migrations by air, land,
and sea, and identified important issues to be addressed
in the medium-term future. Whether for antelopes or birds,
turtles or sharks, key actions include the better understanding
of the natural history of these species, protection of
migration corridors and pathways, the creation of transboundary
parks and protected areas, as well as the enhancement
of cooperative mechanisms for international and national
cooperation.
Participants highlighted the critical need to enlarge
the scientific basis for conservation, and the importance
of public awareness and communications. Illustrating this
view, Mr. Klaus Liedtke, editor-in-chief of National Geographic
Germany, said that “Public education is most successful
when it comprises a quest, good science and a good story
that captures the imagination of the public, generates
positive response, encourages additional funding and may
expand scientific knowledge.”
Public awareness and education was also seen as a tool
to broaden understanding of the issues surrounding migratory
species, thus enhancing connectivity between peoples of
the world.
Dr Margi Prideaux, WDCS CMS Programme Leader said “Recognizing
connectivity brings with it a responsibility – the
responsibility to respect that we must protect what we
share. Separating our interests can no longer work. We
need to overcome the tyranny of borders, be they turf,
policy, law, interest or of the mind. The global community
– Governments and Civil Society – need to
work together to protect the magnificence of our planet.
The Convention on Migratory Species offers us this opportunity”.
Notes for editors
UNEP/CMS
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
of Wild Animals aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and
avian migratory species and their habitats throughout
their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded
under the aegis of UNEP, concerned with the conservation
of wildlife and habitats on a global scale. UNEP/CMS is
addressing all threats to the survival of migratory animals
and to the migration process itself such as light pollution,
climate change, by-catch, wind turbines, ship strikes,
power lines, as well as habitat degradation and loss.
The Convention was adopted in Bonn, Germany, on 23 June
1979 and entered into force on 1 November 1983. Today,
103 countries are Parties to the Convention. See:.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research
institute and associated museum complex, administered
and funded by the Government of the United States and
by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits
from its shops and its magazine. Most of its facilities
are located in Washington, D.C., but its 19 museums, zoo,
and eight research centers include sites in New York City,
Virginia, Panama, and elsewhere. It has over 142 million
items in its collections.
For further information please contact:
Paola Deda, Inter-Agency Liaison Officer
UNEP/CMS Secretariat
pdeda@cms.int
www.cms.int
Tel: +49 228 815 2462
