World Migratory Bird Day – 10 May 2025
Theme: “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities”

As we commemorate World Migratory Bird Day this year, let us commit to building communities and cities where both people and birds can thrive. This year’s theme is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness between human development and the natural world. Migratory birds traverse vast continents, relying on healthy ecosystems and safe habitats throughout their journeys. As urban development accelerates, their traditional stopover sites—particularly wetlands—are increasingly under pressure from land use changes, pollution, and climate-induced degradation.

Wetlands are not just resting and breeding grounds for migratory birds; they are essential ecosystems that provide numerous services to our communities, including flood control, water purification, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. The health of these ecosystems is directly tied to the survival of many bird species, as well as to the well-being of the people who depend on them.

At SASSCAL, we recognize the importance of integrating science, community action, and policy in conservation. Through our Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment System Tools (WeMAST) project—funded by the African Union and the European Commission under the GMES and Africa programme—we are advancing regional efforts to conserve wetlands, thereby protect migratory bird species through innovative, data-driven approaches.

The WeMAST project harnesses the power of Earth Observation (EO) data to support informed decision-making for wetland management across Southern Africa. We have developed and deployed the WeMAST geoportal, an accessible platform that enables users to monitor changes in wetlands in near-real time. This tool has become an invaluable resource for conservation authorities, researchers, and community-based organizations working on the front lines of environmental stewardship.

Moreover, through a series of hands-on training workshops held across the region, SASSCAL has equipped hundreds of stakeholders—from national park managers to civil society organizations—with the skills to use satellite data in tracking ecological trends, detecting encroachments, and enhancing conservation planning. These capacity-building initiatives are empowering communities to take ownership of their natural heritage and to become active participants in the protection of migratory bird habitats.

As we commemorate World Migratory Bird Day, we are reminded that cities and communities do not exist in isolation—they are part of a shared ecological network that sustains both people and wildlife. To create bird-friendly spaces, we must design urban areas that prioritize green infrastructure, protect vital habitats, and promote coexistence between human and avian life.

SASSCAL is proud to be part of this continental effort and reaffirms its commitment to supporting evidence-based conservation, regional cooperation, and sustainable land management practices. Let us continue to build bridges between science and society, ensuring that our cities and natural spaces remain sanctuaries not just for migratory birds, but for future generations as well.

Dr Budzanani Tacheba
Interim Executive Director
Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL)