Birds Korea Spreads Sustainability Awareness
Despite the fast-paced urban life that consumes the majority of Korean society, many citizens might be surprised to learn about the thriving and essential ecosystem that exists just beyond the hustle and bustle. Since 1980, more than 515 species of birds have been recorded throughout Korea’s diverse natural habitats. More than 90 percent of these birds are migratory, birds that travel north during the winter and south during summer. Some even migrate along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, which stretches from Alaska all the way to New Zealand. With such a significant expanse, birds are an imperative part of not only Korea’s ecosystem, but that of many other nations as well.
Active since 2004, Birds Korea, a registered non-profit organization, has maintained a clear focus on the conservation of habitats and has kept a close eye on future visions of development in Korea, with an interest on making these projects environmentally sustainable.
“We have to make decisions as a species, also as individuals and populations of a city or province on what is good to do, what is harmful to do and why. Sustainable development essentially means not destroying things that cannot be replaced,” Dr. Nial Moores, Director of Birds Korea, explained.
The organization aims to garner interest and support through well-documented research of the issues facing birds and their environments. From 2006-2008, Birds Korea worked with the Australasian Wader Studies Group to conduct the largest shorebird research project to date in the Republic of Korea, the Saemangeum Shorebird Monitoring Program. The organization has worked on numerous projects throughout the country and has conducted research on tidal flatlands as well as in wetland and mainland habitats.
“[Birds Korea] is one of the main NGOs in Korea with a focus on conservation, and not just on birds. The work that they have done with the Spoon-billed sandpiper, and continue to do, has undoubtedly been instrumental in raising awareness and support for this critically endangered species. Birds are also a terrific indicator species, so a healthy bird population indicates a healthy ecosystem,” Patrick Blake, bird enthusiast and Gwangju resident, said.
The Spoon-billed sandpiper, a unique species, has had a declining population for many decades. It is estimated by the organization that there are fewer than 3,000 globally. Active members of the Gwangju community, such as Chosun University professor Maria Lisak, have helped raise awareness and funds for the endangered species.
Eleven bird species have currently been given a status of critically endangered or endangered by Birds Korea and are threatened by habitat loss and pollution.“Fundraising for ‘spoonies’ is the best investment I can make for my future. Fundraising to save and protect the critically endangered Spoon-billed sandpiper is the best retirement and insurance plan around. I would rather raise and spend money on a species like SBS than continuing to support bloated, corpulent multinational corporations that mismanage my money,” Professor Lisak wrote, raising more than 1 million won for Birds Korea to save the Spoon-billed sandpiper.
Development projects such as the Grand Canal or Four Rivers Project have decimated fragile bird and wildlife habitats, despite strong cautions against such ventures by multiple wildlife and environmental organizations.“We have a small country with a high population of rapid economic growth, and that means there are huge pressures on everything that remains. Even places that we think we’ve managed to conserve or prevent from being destroyed by one project are then targeted by another. It is absolutely relentless. Compared to many other developed nations, we have rather weak environmental laws,” Dr. Moores said.
“This is not in the national interest, and it’s not in the global interest. We are a Korean organization, so we want our nation to achieve sustainable development. The rate of habitat destruction is overwhelming and there’s really no reason for it. Economically it doesn’t make sense, socially it doesn’t make sense [and] environmentally it doesn’t make sense,” Dr. Moores further stated.
Although a relatively young organization, Birds Korea has already been recognized with two prestigious awards for its conservation efforts and achievements. In 2008, Dr. Moores accepted recognition as the Leading Light of Korean Society by a leading panel of civil society leaders. Dr. Moores accepted the award on behalf of the organization for its work on the Saemangeum Program. In 2011, Dr. Moores was also given the Asian Environmental Award, presented by the Chosun Ilbo, on behalf of the organization for its “distinguished contribution to protecting the environment.”
Birds Korea also places emphasis on the future of sustainability and wildlife conservation through education. The organization has hosted multiple English camps throughout Korea for elementary to university-level students to learn about birds and their delicate ecosystems in the field. Regular eco-classes are also held by the organization in their Busan office.
Dr. Moores stresses the importance of the organization’s work and its broad spectrum impact.
“As an ecologist, you really get to appreciate that every single thing is interconnected …We want people to be happy with their lives. We want people to be able to appreciate the most beautiful natural landscapes and want important aspects of culture to be conserved,” Dr. Moores said.
For more information about the work of Birds Korea and ways to get involved, visit their website at birdskorea.org. Starting in October’s edition of Gwangju News, Birds Korea will contribute a one-page submission each month discussing how we can help sustain the bird population and the environments in Korea.