Under the auspices of BirdLife Lucerne, 20 local nature and bird conservation associations are committed to the diversity of nature. More than 3,000 members in the canton of Lucerne are involved in outdoor activities, offering courses and taking interested people on excursions.
The disappearance of animal and plant species is a widely discussed issue. To counteract this phenomenon, BirdLife is committed to a wide range of activities to promote habitat diversity as well as nature and bird conservation. In addition to its work outdoors, the association also works at the political level to create optimum conditions for the promotion and preservation of biodiversity. “We want to halt the trend of species and habitat loss and herald a turnaround,” emphasizes Maria Jakober, Managing Director of the Lucerne Cantonal Association of BirdLife. Jakober would like to convince as many people as possible of the importance of her cause. “It’s like a flock of birds: birds are more likely to be recognized in numbers than when there is just a single one!”
1,000 new breeding sites
BirdLife attaches great importance to projects that are not only ecologically sound, but also economically and socially sustainable. One example is the project that JTI supports, “Blooming & Chirping in Village & Town”. “This project will create 1,000 new breeding sites for swifts, house martins, swallows and house sparrows in the canton of Lucerne,” explains Maria Jakober. The project will also create over 10,000 square meters of flower meadows throughout the canton. Some of the nesting boxes used were produced by a workshop for people with a disability. Thanks to broad-based fundraising, BirdLife can make the nest boxes available to the local sections free of charge. “With the new nesting boxes, which are made from local wood and in Central Switzerland, we are creating new breeding sites for numerous birds,” Maria Jakober is pleased to report. “In addition, through the project we enable large numbers of people to come into contact with nature.”
It takes personal commitment – and sacrifice
The enthusiasm of the association's director for the "Blooming & Chirping in Village & Town" project is palpable. But another thing is clear: one successful project is not enough on its own. "We will also have to do a lot of project and information work in future," emphasizes Maria Jakober. In the long term, the disappearance of animal and plant species can only be halted if everybody is prepared to make sacrifices and show personal commitment in favor of a balance between ecology, the economy and social issues. “First and foremost, of course, we have to make economic sacrifices,” notes Maria Jakober. “If we really care about the future, there can be no more profit maximization at the expense of nature and society!"
BirdLife
Cantonal Association BirdLife Lucerne has been committed to protecting nature and landscape and promoting biodiversity for over 30 years. BirdLife Lucerne sees itself as an advocate for nature and is committed to maintaining intact habitats and a better quality of life. Today, a total of 19 local nature and bird conservation associations belong to BirdLife Lucerne. The approximately 3,000 members benefit from a wide range of events and natural history educational opportunities.