Environmental Protection in the Caribbean will be celebrating International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) during a presentation hosted by the Phillipsburg Jubilee Library this Saturday titled "Helping Birds Every Day". Parents are encouraged to bring their children (approximately aged 6-12) to learn about what we can do to help birds, hear a bird migration story, and (weather permitting) walk to the Great Salt Pond to view birds there. A coloring book, posters, and stickers will be distributed.
"Children are fascinated by wildlife and this is a great opportunity to learn more about the birds around us every day, especially their amazing migration, and how we can help birds" said EPIC President Natalia Collier.
International Migratory Bird Day is celebrated throughout the Americas and aims to raise awareness of the incredible phenomenon of the migration of millions of birds. Approximately 350 species of birds that breed in North America, including songbirds, ducks, and shorebirds, migrate each year to spend the winter in Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally a smaller number of species migrate from South America into the Caribbean to breed during the summer. The Caribbean therefore shares these species with North and South America, and many spend the greater portion of each year on our islands (up to 9 months annually) compared to the time they spend outside of the region. Because most birds migrate primarily during the night, their epic movements, though frequently spectacular in numbers, are often unnoticed by the public.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 24th at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library and is available to a maximum of 30 students. Other groups interested in hosted similar events are encouraged to contact Natalia Collier at 545-3009 or ncollier@epicislands.org.