BirdLife International

BirdLife International, established in 1994, is a global Partnership of 'conservation organisations' that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. BirdLife Partners operate in over one hundred countries and territories worldwide. BirdLife Partners collaborate on regional work programmes in every continent. BirdLife International is a Partnership of people for birds and the environment. Over ten million people support the BirdLife Partnership of national non-governmental conservation organisations (Partners) and local networks (Site Support Groups and Important Bird Area Caretakers).

The BirdLife Partners work together on shared priorities, programmes and policies, learning from each other to achieve real conservation results. Its vision is of a world rich in biodiversity, with people and nature living in harmony, equitably and sustainably. Its mission is to conserve wild birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, by working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.

• The commitments of the BirdLife are:
  • To prevent extinctions in the wild
  • To maintain and where possible improve the conservation status of all bird species
  • To conserve the sites and habitats important for birds and other biodiversity
  • To sustain the vital ecological systems that underpin human livelihoods, and enrich the quality of people's lives
  • In the process, BirdLife will empower people and contribute to the alleviation of poverty, and strive to ensure sustainability in the use of natural resources

BirdLife partnership is a worldwide network of autonomous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) supported by a large grassroots membership, who work together to conserve biodiversity through shared priorities, programmes and actions. A decentralised Secretariat coordinates activities, disseminates information and provides services to the Partner organisations. Together, the Partners form a powerful global conservation movement working at local, national, regional and global levels.

Staff from the BirdLife Partnership in Durban, South Africa