Have Fun and Raise Funds WWF Big Bird Race puts wetland conservation in the spotlight

On World Wetlands Day – the day the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in 1971 - , WWF-Hong Kong today introduces its flagship fund raising event - the Big Bird Race (BBR), so as to raise public awareness on wetland values and benefits, and raise funds for wetland conservation.

On 7 February, 2010, twelve birdwatching teams will compete in Hong Kong for the 'Most Birds Seen' Award by recording as many different bird species as possible within a 12-hour period. Various other prizes will be awarded, including "Most Weland Birds Seen",for the first time, a prize for finding the greatest number of waterbird species in Hong Kong's wetland areas. The funds will support WWF's wetland habitat management and conservation work at Mai Po Nature Reserve, which was listed as a ‘Wetland of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention in 1995.

"Holding the Big Bird Race close to World Wetlands Day is our way to join global celebrations of wetlands and at the same time encourage Hong Kong people to visit wetlands and appreciate their beauty first hand. The Big Bird Race has enabled WWF to acquire and manage land at the Mai Po Nature Reserve for conservation and education purposes. The majority of funds raised from the Big Bird Race 2010 will help maintain Mai Po as an internationally important wetland for the benefit of both people and wildlife, "said Eric Bohm, WWF-Hong Kong's CEO.

"Funds raised in this year's event will be used for two wetland restoration projects inside the Reserve over the coming summer period. The first will create a new freshwater marsh area – a scarce habitat in Deep Bay - which will mainly benefit dragonflies and amphibians. The second will enlarge the gei wai #16/17 high-tide roost which is used by large numbers of waterbirds that migrate through Hong Kong in spring and autumn. Aside from the direct wildlife benefits, both will become an educational resource for schools and public visit groups." Bena Smith, WWF-Hong Kong's Mai Po Reserve Manager added, "The water regulation and storage functions of wetlands are crucial in adapting to a changing climate. With climate change being one of the most urgent threats amongst today's environmental issues, in order to reduce the impacts of climate change, we need to conserve and restore wetlands."

As part of the celebration for the World Wetland Day 2010, WWF-Hong Kong also holds the Interpreter Training Programme for Wetland of International Importance at Mai Po. The programme will train up 25 young students coming from five local universities to become nature interpreters. They will play the important role of introducing the significance of wetland habitats locally and globally to the general public.

At the Big Bird Race press conference held today, Miss Hong Kong 2009 Miss Sandy Lau, Miss Germaine Li and Miss Mizuni Hung shared their birdwatching experiences. Together with WWF Hong Kong representatives, they presented pictures of different views of Mai Po, showing the collaborative efforts of WWF and the public in conserving the wetlands to provide important habitats for migratory waterbirds.

Members of the public can still support the race by making lump sum donations or per-bird species donations to the team(s) they would like to support. For further information, please visit our website.

Sponsors:

Team Sponsors
Jebsen Group
The Swire Group Charitable Trust
CLP Power Hong Kong Limited
The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd
Cheung Kong Group (Fung Lok Wai Wetland Nature Reserve)
Kerry Holdings Limited
Chris Buttery, Dan Bradshaw & Markus Shaw
 
Event Sponsors
Ernst & Young
Modern Terminals Limited
Cheung Kong Group (Fung Lok Wai Wetland Nature Reserve)
 
Cup Sponsors
Sino Group
Jebsen & Co Ltd - PENTAX
 
Gift Sponsor
Epicuren Discovery