Birds Korea: Getting Involved!

When I first came to Korea back in 2008, I had long wanted to do something practical for conservation, but was nervous to get involved because I had no prior experience. What could I do as an English teacher?

I first learned about Birds Korea from their website. In 2010, some friends encouraged me to find out more, so I contacted the organization. Soon I became involved in various activities, including education programs, fundraising and research on endangered bird species. Getting involved has taught me that there is something all of us can do for conservation, whether our passion is education or the environment.

Now, I have the chance to do even more. Over the past two years, our school in Gimhae has participated in multiple projects through Birds Korea. One such project, titled “The Journey of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper”, included work on a wonderful animation project begun in Hong Kong and later helped by schools from places as distant as Russia and Myanmar. “Journey” was a benefit for the global initiative Pledge to Fledge, a movement to help others enjoy bird watching for the first time; a postcard exchange with students from Rudong City in China; and a summer camp on birds, migration, and saving Spoonies (one of the world’s rarest bird species, found here each year in Korea). These projects have influenced our students in a very positive way and now many of them are interested in learning more about birds, the natural environment and the world at large.

To encourage further interest, our school purchased binoculars and a field guide, and we started our own bird watching club. Now twelve of our brightest students meet each week and spend an hour or more exploring the mountainside next to our campus. There we find a few gardens, some beautiful trees, and a quiet Buddhist temple. We draw and write about what we see. Later this year, our club intends to share what we are learning with other students by painting a small hallway mural that will include all of the bird species we have seen near our campus.

Thrilled by the growth of interest in birds and the natural environment around school, this year Obang Elementary has joined Birds Korea as a member. We aim to give our students useful ways to network with other schools and clubs online, to help share their discoveries and their questions about birds, nature and conservation. If you are interested in connecting with us through Birds Korea, please do send us an email. Getting involved makes every day more interesting!