BirdLife in Zimbabwe

Environmental Education & Awareness

BirdLife Zimbabwe runs an exciting environmental education and awareness programme for schools. This is done in a variety of ways that include song and dance, poetry, drama and speeches. BirdLife Zimbabwe seeks, among other goals, to influence the appreciation of birds and their habitats, promote sustainable use of natural resources and enhance environmental conservation by all using birds as indicators for biodiversity conservation. The environmental education and awareness programme was initiated in 1998 as a Bird Awareness Programme (BAP) when the organisation got the approval of the then Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture to work with schools. This programme offers various projects aimed at raising awareness on the conservation of birds and environmental management in schools throughout the country. Education and awareness activities have been conducted in the past in areas such as Harare (urban and peri-urban schools), Chitungwiza, Norton, Chimanimani, Honde Valley, Aberfoyle, Nyanga, Driefontein Grasslands, Murowa (under Rio Tinto Murowa Diamonds Mine) and Bulawayo.

In recent years, education and awareness work has increased in schools around Harare, Norton, Driefontein Grasslands and Mbazhe Pan in Nkayi. The programme currently has 88 schools. Schools take up projects of their choice depending on their interest and the environmental challenges they have. Click here to view activities carried out in the Bird Awareness Programme. To view list of schools currently in the Bird Awareness Programme, click here.

BirdLife Zimbabwe facilitates the formation of environmental clubs in schools. It is through these clubs that bird and environmental conservation information is passed on to the whole school. This programme also conducts competitions for schools and sometimes assists schools in organising trips to wilderness areas such as the Rifa Education Camp in the Zambezi Valley. BLZ provides bird books at the beginning of the programme and an environmental newsletter to schools every term.

Recent Events

On 2 February 2011, BirdLife Zimbabwe joined other environmental organisations to commemorate World Wetlands Day at Budiriro 3 Primary School. This organisation led groups of schools that attended the event in touring the nearby wetland giving information on the importance of wetlands and how best to conserve them. On another note, Marlborough Primary and Southerton Primary Schools have gone a step further in running the Bird Awareness Programme. During the 2011 first and second terms, Southerton Primary School organised bird awareness assemblies where the Bird Club raised awareness on the conservation of birds and the environment. On 10 June the school dedicated their assembly to promoting the growing and conservation of trees. In April 2011, Twin Rivers Private School invited BLZ for a Bird Identification training workshop. BirdLife Zimbabwe is available for schools that want our services as far as the conservation of birds and the environment is concerned.

Bird Awareness Programme Activities

This programme is made up of the following activities:

Identification of common birds around their school grounds
Identification of bird habitats, their food and feeding as well as breeding ecology
Keeping records of birds seen in school grounds in order to be able to track changes happening in an area
Learning about bird migration and bird ringing
Learning about the importance of birds to the environment
Improving the school environment for the survival of birds and other small components of nature
Greening school grounds by planting more trees, shrubs, flowers and herbs
v This reduces the amount of dust raised from bare grounds
v Trees act as windbreaks
v Plants provide habitat and food source to a variety of life forms
Establishment of herbal gardens. Herbs are used to cure common ailments
Gully reclamation
Establishment of an eco-park at a school where students can learn a lot about ecosystems
Provision of bird baths and feeders around school grounds
Environmental awareness raising to the whole school
Exchange of information and experiences on the conservation of the environment
Commemoration of Environmental Days
v World Migratory Birds Day, World Bird Festival
v National and International environmental events

Schools Participating in the Bird Awareness Programme

Harare Cluster

1. Action Club Sunningdale
2. Alexandra Park Primary
3. Alfred Beit Primary
4. Allan Wilson Boys High
5. Arundel Girls High
6. Avondale Junior School
7. Belvedere Junior School
8. Belvedere Technical Teachers' College
9. Blackiston Primary
10. Budiriro 3 Primary
11. Budiriro High
12. Chisipite Senior School
13. Chizungu Primary School
14. Churchill Boys High
15. Courtney Selous Primary
16. Cranbourne Boys High
17. David Livingstone Primary
18. Eaglesvale Junior School
19. Eastridge Primary School
20. Ellis Robin Boys High
21. Epworth Primary
22. George Stark Secondary School
23. Glen View 2 High School
24. Greystone Park Primary School
25. Hallingbury Primary
26. Harare High School
27. Hartman House
28. Hatfield Girls High
29. Hatfield Primary
30. Kuwadzana 8 Primary
31. Mabvuku High
32. Mabvuku Primary School
33. Marlborough High
34. Marlborough Primary
35. Masaisai Primary
36. Mbare High School
37. Mukurumbira Primary School
38. Northwood Adventist Primary
39. Oriel Boys High
40. Prince Edward High
41. Queen Elizabeth Girls High
42. Queensdale Primary
43. Rukudzo Primary School
44. Selbourne Routledge Primary
45. Southerton Primary
46. Tafara 2 High
47. Tafara High
48. Tafara Primary
49. Twin Rivers School
50. Warren Park 6 Primary
51. Westridge High
52. Yamuranayi Primary

Norton Cluster

53. Dudley Hall Primary
54. Kintyre Primary
55. Kumboyedza Primary
56. Lake McIlwaine Primary
57. Norton 1 Primary
58. Pinper Private School
59. TwinLakes Primary
60. Nyamangara Primary School

Murowa Cluster

61. Baradzamwa Primary
62. Chinembeure Secondary
63. Gundekunde Primary
64. Mukwakwe Primary
65. Murowa Primary

Driefontein Cluster

66. Chipesa Primary
67. Chipisa Primary
68. Chivake Primary
69. Driefontein Mission Primary
70. Driefontein Mission Secondary
71. Good Hope Dekete Primary
72. Hunzvi Primary
73. Hunzvi Secondary
74. Kaguvi Primary
75. Makomborero Primary
76. Makomborero Secondary
77. Nhakayedu Secondary
78. Shashe Good Hope Primary
79. Shashe Good Hope Secondary
80. Taigara Primary
81. Taigara Secondary

Mbazhe Cluster

82. Mbazhe Primary
83. Mtshabi Primary
84. Mtshabi Secondary
85. Sihlengeni Primary

Other areas

86. Rydings Schools (Karoi)
87. Hillside Primary School (Bulawayo)
88. Dominican Convent High (Bulawayo)

How exchange workshops have enhanced IBA Monitoring capacity in Zimbabwe

Three experience exchange workshops were conducted at Nyanga National Park (involving Nyanga Mountains, Stapleford Forest and Chimanimani Mountains), Robert Mcllwaine Recreational Park (involving Middle Zambezi Valley, Save-Runde Junction and Robert Mcllwaine RP) and Hwange National Park (involving Chizarira National Park, Batoka Gorge, Matobo Hills and Hwange NP). The workshops were facilitated by the staff from the BirdLife Partner in Zimbabwe (BirdLife Zimbabwe).

The objectives of the workshops were to share knowledge in IBA monitoring; to share experiences in IBA monitoring; to review shortcomings in site monitoring and compilation of the form and to learn about bird identification and monitoring techniques. The objectives were all achieved and the capacity of site monitoring teams was enhanced. The participants were able to satisfactorily demonstrate the knowledge and experiences gained in the workshops during a field exercise.

"Sharing of experiences was an eye opener as well as an inspiring and motivating factor. Participants appreciated how common issues could be resolved through a collaborative approach. These workshops also demystified the belief that the monitoring form is difficult to understand and that monitoring of sites is feasible. The interactive nature of learning was cost effective and valuable to all participants, with a scope for promoting the sustainability of IBA Monitoring in Zimbabwe" - Dr. Chipangura Chirara, Executive Director of BirdLife Zimbabwe.

Noting that most of the IBAs contain a manageable number of IBA trigger species (species whose regular occurrence at the site qualifies it for IBA registration) that can be well identified and monitored within a short period,
the participants also shared information on bird identification. Most of the participants were able to identify at least the families of birds during the field exercise using various characteristics that were taught. The person who scored the highest mark during the quiz session on bird identification was awarded a prize.

For more information please contact Mr. Kanisios Mukwashi at kanisios@blz.co.zw.

iba monitoring form

Wattled and Grey Crowned Crane

African Waterfowl Census

Every year the months of January and July are dedicated to water bird counts. The water bird count is done under the auspices of the African Waterfowl Census (AfWC), which in turn is part of the International Waterfowl Census (IWC) and is coordinated worldwide from Slimbridge in Gloucestershire,Uk. Technical support is provided by Wetlands International Africa in Dakar, Senegal. Waterfowl counts are carried out by the staff and members of BLZ in different parts of Zimbabwe. A relatively large number of sites are visited regularly as they provide interesting birding opportunities. Places visited in the past include David Whitehead Ponds, Lake Chivero and Manyame, Mbazhe Pan Bird Sanctuary, Manjinji Pan, Tambahata Pan, Aiselby Ponds and the hundreds of water pans in Hwange National Park. Water bird counts have been carried out for a long time by volunteers, and places like Lake Chivero and Manyame are considered to be two of the best studied wetlands in Zimbabwe due to the long history of water bird records. Not long ago, a project entitled `Wings over Wetlands` under the Wetlands International banner provided support to update information on migratory water birds and sites where they occur.

The waterfowl counts assist in promoting environmental issues and awareness and water birds are great indicators of the state of our water bodies too. They also contribute to a global effort which over time will help us better understand the effects of climate change.

Blue Swallow

Climate Change

Zimbabwe, like other African countries is experiencing climate variability and change characterised by increased annual temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and increased frequency of climatic extremes. Climate change in Zimbabwe is already impacting on biodiversity, water resources, agriculture and health, with women and children being the worst affected. Climate change is an issue of concern to BirdLife Zimbabwe as it affects each of BirdLife's strategic objectives for species, sites, habitats and people. The impacts of climate change poses challenges to BirdLife Zimbabwe's conservation work in Important Bird Areas and other vulnerable ecosystems. Zimbabwe has 20 IBAs which are areas of international significance characterised by healthy bio-diverse environments. BirdLife Zimbabwe in collaboration with government institutions, communities, other non-governmental organisations, and the private sector, is doing work on IBA monitoring to ensure greater protection and maintenance of the essential services provided by these important sites.? IBAs play a crucial role in both climate regulation and in helping biodiversity and people to adapt to climate change. Besides promoting biodiversity conservation in IBAs as a way of coping with climate change, BirdLife Zimbabwe is involved in climate change networks and makes significant contributions to the climate change debate.

BirdLife Zimbabwe involvement in climate change issues in Zimbabwe

BirdLife Zimbabwe works directly with the government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management. In November 2010, BirdLife Zimbabwe produced a climate change document outlining BirdLife Zimbabwe's Position on Climate Change. The climate change position document carried issues for considerations by the Government of Zimbabwe with regards to the development of a National Climate Change Policy and contribution to common African Position towards UNFCCC COP 16 among other issues. This document was distributed to various government agencies. Through working with different government agencies on biodiversity and ecosystem management issues, BirdLife Zimbabwe has taken a leading role in influencing and supporting government stakeholders in dealing with climate change issues and work is ongoing.

Climate Change Network

BirdLife Zimbabwe is a member of the Zimbabwe Climate Change Working Group, a network of civil society organisation with a common interest of addressing climate change challenges in Zimbabwe. BirdLife Zimbabwe is one of the key strategic organisations in the Working Group and plays a key role in strengthening education, awareness and building capacity of other member organisations in the working group. The working group has five thematic focal areas and BirdLife Zimbabwe is leading the Ecosystem/Conservation and Forestry thematic area. Through this working group, BirdLife Zimbabwe has actively participated in lobbying and advocating for a climate change policy framework in Zimbabwe. The organisation continues to collaborate with other organisations in facilitating and supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation for all stakeholders in Zimbabwe.

Future Plans

BirdLife Zimbabwe has prioritised the following climate change activities for the future:
  - Engaging communities in and close to IBAs on climate change issues
  - Working with government, civil society organisations and the private sector on climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes
  - Continuing to lobby and advocate for the development and implementation of the national climate policy
  - Raising awareness climate on change adaptation through working with schools
  - Assist local communities living in biodiversity-rich areas to cope with climate change variability and sustainably manage the ecosystems
  - Carry out research on the impacts of climate change to bird species and their habitats, and come up with adaptation strategies for sites.