“The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)” represented by “Aqaba Bird Observatory” and with collaboration with “Ayla Oasis Development Company” celebrated the International Day of Migratory Birds under the slogan ‘Dim the night lights to save migratory birds’, in reference to the negative impact of light pollution on migratory birds.

The slogan for this year’s celebration was inspired by the United Nations’ global campaign to dim the lights for birds at night, to offer safer routes and environments for migratory and resident birds.

Jordan joined several countries around the world to raise societal awareness about the importance of protecting birds and their environments through various activities aimed at communicating awareness messages in new ways to family members including children and their parents.

The annual celebration organized by Ayla and the RSCN is part of a collaboration that has been going on for more than a decade and a half, with the aim of emphasizing Jordan’s strategic location on the world’s second most significant bird migration route, as well as its role in revitalizing bird watching tourism as an environmentally friendly activity that contributes to the development of the socio-economic situation in many societies.

RSCN’s Director General, Mr. Fadi Al Naser said, “We have been collaborating with Ayla for a decade and a half to strengthen our role as private sector and civil society institutions in protecting nature and migratory birds by protecting the environment that is most important to them, particularly in the Aqaba region, where the Aqaba Bird Observatory is located. The observatory is a notable example of participatory role that brings together multiple sectors in a pioneering concept for the protection of migrating birds and their habitats.”

Naser went on to say, “What we have seen today in terms of interaction and high societal interest in saving birds is a definite mark on this awareness initiative, which inspires us, Ayla, and other partners to do more to protect nature and migrating birds, which are the regulating element of the stability of our ecosystems at the national, and international level.”

Ayla’s Managing Director, Eng. Sahl Dudin said, “Today, Ayla joins a global campaign to protect migrating birds and the natural environment, in keeping with its corporate vision based on sustainability, that is a core pillar of its work, all of which is reflected in its ongoing activities and events.”

Dudin emphasized that the continued relationship with the RSCN had a significant influence in raising awareness of Ayla residents and the general community in Aqaba, particularly in the field of migratory birds and their protection, as Aqaba is located on one of its most important pathways, which had a significant impact in delivering the messages aimed at the global campaign.

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and the Ayla Oasis Development Company regularly organized several annual events aimed at all ages to raise awareness about the protection of migratory birds, while targeting children through purposeful activities such as drawing environmental paintings, learning about bird species, and participating in competitions to spread awareness to the greatest number of people.

The World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, in recognition of the cyclical nature of bird migration and the differing peak seasons of migration around the world.

World Migratory Bird Day is an international call to action to conserve migratory birds. Many seek the two days in 2022 to raise awareness of the light pollution issue and the importance of dark skies to bird migrations as migrating birds travel across borders to inspire and connect people along the route.

Source: Ayla website