Our vital work

There is no more inspiring story in the world of nature than that of shorebird migration. The massive feats of endurance, forebearance against diversity and the amazing array of adaptations which these birds exhibit all remind us of the magnificence of life on this planet and, at times, its fragility.

Apart from their beauty and amazing life stories, as true "global citizens" migratory shorebirds can tell us much about the state of our world: they are indeed ideal "sentinels for planetary health".

There are many threats to the continued existance of these birds with more than 70% of shorebird species being classified as threatened or endangered. The threatening processes are:

• global warming;

• land reclamation;

• river damming;

• disturbance/urban encroachment;

• pollution.

Their continued existance very much lies in the hands of mankind.

Without stringent study of these birds and the spreading of this knowledge, we will not be able to counter the forces stacked against them. The result of this could be the loss of many members of this assemblage of birds which, according to the fossil record, have graced our planet for more than 40 million years.

By becoming a supporter of the Broome Bird Observatory, you can be part of the vital efforts to conserve these birds and their habitats.

• Find out more about how you can help our work

How Broome Bird Observatory is helping

There are four facets to the effective conservation process:

1. Research
   Broome Bird Observatory's location makes it one of the world's ideal sites for research into the lives of shorebirds in tropical regions and flyway staging posts. We assist local researchers as well as scientists and instutes from all over the world as they seek to learn more about the lives and needs of migratory shorebirds. more.

2. Education
   Our proximity to a major tourist centre attracts over 2 thousand visitors a year, many of whom come with a marginal understanding of conservation, but leave with a vastly improved appreciation of nature and the necessity for its conservation. more.

3. Advocacy
   As a part of Birds Australia    - Australia's peak non-government organisation for the science of birds and recreational birdwatchers - the BBO has a powerful lobbying voice for the future of these birds. more.

4. Management
   Migratory shorebirds require global as well as local solutions. The Observatory works locally with organisations like WWF    and local indigenous groups to ensure practical work and outcomes at a local level. However, as part of Birds Australia    we also work with organisations right along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for favourable conservation outcomes.

   The results of the research which we conduct and support and the transmittal of these results through education and advocacy inform the management process of Roebuck Bay and its vast, globally significant ecology.

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