Greetings, Bird Lovers!

My name is Emma Lewis and I live on the beautiful island of Jamaica. I am a Board Member and Board Secretary for BirdsCaribbean, and I serve as Interim Chair of our Media Working Group. I am a member of BirdLife Jamaica, and an avid birder (including in my tree-filled backyard, now buzzing with winter migrants!) I am also a blogger, freelance writer, and advocate for the environment.

I am helping BirdsCaribbean raise funds to equip Caribbean conservationists with the skills, tools, and resources needed to study, educate about, and protect the amazing birds and nature in the islands. Our training workshops and seminars have made an impact, and we have many testimonies to show for this.

We want to continue this work! To me, it’s very important for Caribbean young people in particular not only to acquire knowledge and skills, but to develop a deep appreciation and understanding of the urgent need to protect our incredible bird life. I see the amazing work that BirdsCaribbean is doing to empower young conservation leaders and save birds and habitats - even the youngest among us, through bird festivals and the distribution of beautiful educational materials for all ages.

The wonderful habitats that are important to all our birds - whether endemic, native, or migratory - must also be protected, as a matter of urgency. These landscapes - beaches, mangroves, forests, and wetlands - are increasingly under threat from pollution, development, over-tourism, and unsustainable agriculture.

BirdsCaribbean has had a profound impact on my life and my work as a writer and communicator. A former President of BirdsCaribbean and BirdLife Jamaica, Dr. Leo Douglas (who is now ​​a Professor at New York University) first inspired me to get involved, and to share that inspiration with others. As a result, I have recruited quite a few birders, who once they have a pair of binoculars in their hands are “hooked” on birds!

BirdsCaribbean provides a supportive network of conservation professionals that have nurtured my development. Our conferences are filled with energy and most importantly, projects and programs in the making. It was a tremendous pleasure serving on the Local Organising Committee of our conference in Kingston, Jamaica.

With climate change impacts worsening in our region, it is more important than ever for BirdsCaribbean to continue its vital conservation work in 2023. Please help BirdsCaribbean to achieve its exciting goals for the coming year. Please help us to help Caribbean birds, and give generously!

Together we are #ChangingLivesSavingBirds

THANK YOU!

Warmest,

Emma Lewis