GSMNP -- May 6, 2002 - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating the International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 11, with a full day of programs that include guided bird walks, hands-on talks, and children's activities. The event is for all ages and will take place at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, in North Carolina, beginning at 9 a.m. with the first bird walk. Other walks and talks will be offered hourly and children's programs will be interspersed throughout the morning and early afternoon.
Dr. Trevor Rundle, professor of biology at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC, and formerly at Cornell University, will provide short talks on Birds of Prey, The Miracle of Flight, and Migration and Navigation - each brought to life with his unique array of bird skins and other hands-on props. Park Rangers will lead bird walks and the activities for children, and materials will be available on how to enjoy birds and help with their conservation.
Shade-grown coffee will be served complimentary to emphasize the importance of supporting traditionally-managed coffee plantations that support over 150 species of birds ? many migrants from the Smokies.
Since 1993, International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) has celebrated the return of millions of migratory birds from their non-breeding grounds in South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern U.S. to their North American nesting habitats. Although most migratory birds are still abundant, many species are at risk due to the loss of habitat throughout the Western Hemisphere. The purpose of IMBD is to motivate people from all walks of life to learn about birds and the habitats that they need, to discover ways that they can become involved in improving conditions for birds, and to enjoy watching birds. As the hallmark annual event sponsored by Partners In Flight, IMBD is turning into the Earth Day for birders!
Migratory Birds--two Partners In Flight (PIF)/ Compañeros en Vuelo / Partenaires d'Envol was launched in 1990 in response to growing concerns about declines in the populations of many land bird species, and in order to emphasize the conservation of birds not covered by existing conservation initiatives. The initial focus was on species that breed in the North America and winter in the Central and South America, but the focus has spread to include most land birds and other species requiring terrestrial habitats. PIF is a cooperative effort involving partnerships among federal, state and local government agencies, philanthropic foundations, professional organizations, conservation groups, industry, the academic community, and private individuals. For more information on IMBD and PIF go to www.partnersinfight.org.
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located 2 miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina, on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441). For more information, call (865) 436-1290.
