The RSPB and Birdwatch Ireland's annual bird conservation conference "Taking Action for Wildlife", is being held this weekend (March 27-29, 2009) at the Burrendale Hotel in Co Down.
It will feature one of the world's foremost experts on the Galapagos. Santiago Bejarano from Ecuador
will deliver the keynote address 'The Galapagos After Darwin'. The talk is a personal view of the enchanted Islands and how overfishing, pollution, conflict with a growing human population and tourism have been extremely detrimental on the wildlife.
Santiago told RSPB: "I hope this will raise awareness about what is going on in the Galapagos and galvanise people into doing something. The Galapagos doesn't belong just to one nation, but to everyone. It is our global heritage and in 2007 UNESCO put the Galapagos on its World Heritage in Danger List. We must all do something to ensure that places like the Galapagos continue to serve as a haven for its inhabitants – both wildlife and human."
Delegates at the conference will learn about the corncrake recovery on Rathlin Island and the red kite reintroduction in Co Down.
Aidan Lonergan, director RSPB, the environment is everything we are, what we eat, how we live and where we play.
"A healthy environment will be able to support other life as well, not just us. If the wildlife is not doing well, it means that we are also in trouble. It is critical we ensure our forests, seas, lakes and mountains are in good nick because when they are, everyone and everything benefits."
Stephen Moss, broadcaster and writer will giving the Friday evening talk entitled, "An evening without Bill Oddie".
Visit www.rspb.org.uk/thingstodo/allireland.