Recognizing water’s importance to migratory birds

IITA Forest Center celebrated the day with representatives from 6 schools in Ibadan on 17 October. Students from American Christian Academy, Amao International School, St Teresa Secondary School, Ibadan International School, Kings Junior Academy, and the International School of IITA graced the occasion.

The students listened to key messages from UN representatives who echoed birds’ need for water as they migrate from coast to coast. Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel said, “During long and often difficult journeys, water habitats provide migratory birds with an essential source of hydration, food, and shelter.” African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) Executive Secretary Jacques Trouvilliez said, “Migratory birds rely on inland and coastal wetlands, rivers, marshes, and lakes at various stages of their migration circle.” They called on governments and all earth users to protect our increasingly threatened water bodies, which in turn threaten the existence of migratory birds who depend on them.

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