Featured Conservation Group: Birdlife Zimbabwe
Birdlife Zimbabwe (BLZ) was formed in 1951 as the Ornithological Society of Zimbabwe ‘to promote the survival of BirdLife in Zimbabwe and elsewhere for its intrinsic value and the enjoyment of future generations' and it currently has a devoted membership base of about 650 people in 5 branches around the country.
BLZ runs a number of highly successful conservation projects, incorporating volunteers and experts to achieve some extraordinary on-the-groundconservation. Running one of the longest running eagle surveys in the world is just one of many of its exceptional achievements. For 45 years BLZ members have been meticulously documenting the ecology of Black Eagles and their main prey, Dassies (rock rabbits). Other notable areas programs include the Driefontein Wattled Crane project, the Eastern Highlands Blue Swallow project, the Important Bird Areas of Zimbabwe project, the formation of the Monovale and Marlborough Vlei Bird Reserves, as well as a vibrant schools education program that has environmental programs in over 140 rural schools in Zimbabwe.
Other membership activities include monthly meetings, frequent bird walks, and the production of both a newsletter ‘The Babbler' and a birding journal called ‘The Honey Guide,” edited by Michael Irwin.
- Download the Babbler - Feb/Mar 2008
- Download the Babbler - Dec/Jan 2008
- Download the Babbler - Oct/Nov 2007
- Download the Babbler - August/September 2007
- Download the Babbler - June/July 2007
- Download the Babbler - April/May 2007
- Download the Babbler - October/November/December 2006
- Download the Babbler - July/August/September 2006
- Download the Babbler - April/May/June 2006
Because habitat loss is one of the largest threats to birds in Zimbabwe, BLZ is now focusing a substantial portion of its new resources on education and outreach to rural schools to help raise awareness in rural areas, including the resettled farming areas that are experiencing rapid environmental change.
Since the year 2000, when the Ornithological Association of Zimbabwe officially became a Birdlife International partner, they have successfully raised funds to purchase offices in Eastlea. They have also established a full-time staff lead Chip Chirara who is the acting director. However, BLZ has lost about 100 members that have left the country and its major challenge right now is fundraising due to the difficult economic climate in Zimbabwe. With inflation ranging from 1000-1200% all locally invested savings are severely eroded from month to month, making financial management challenging. Foreign donors are understandably wary of investing Zimbabwe right now, further complication the task of saving Zimbabwe's rich avifauna.
BLZ welcomes new members, volunteers and donations:
Telephone: 490208 / 48149635 Clyde Road, Eastlea, Harare, email birds@zol.co.zw