World Migratory Bird Day
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2024, Mangrove Matters PH conducted an educational event at Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The activity featured discussions on migratory waterbirds, mangrove conservation, and environmental protection, aiming to raise awareness among local communities and youth about the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats. The event was supported by the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) in collaboration with DENR Region 7 and Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary.
May 10, 2024
As part of the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2024, Mangrove Matters PH organized an educational and awareness-raising event at Brgy. San Vicente, Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The activity aimed to educate local communities, students, and youth on the importance of migratory waterbirds and the habitats that support them, particularly the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, the Philippines’ first designated Ramsar Site and a wetland of international importance.
The event featured educational discussions led by resource speakers from academia, government, and civil society. Topics included migratory birds and their habitats in Olango Island, mangrove conservation, and the legal protection of the environment. Participants learned about the role of the Philippines within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the significance of wetlands as feeding, nesting, and resting grounds for migratory birds, and the connections between migratory birds, insects, mangrove ecosystems, and broader ecological processes.
The activity also highlighted the 2024 World Migratory Bird Day theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” emphasizing the importance of insects in supporting bird populations and migration. In addition to educational discussions, participants took part in birdwatching activities and a youth declaration calling for the protection of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.