Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund - Electing Pro-Wildlife Leaders

Hi!

The Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) launched a crowdfunding campaign for the conservation of the Azores Bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina) and the native Laurel forest of S. Miguel island, the habitat and the only place on Earth where this endangered species occurs:
http://www.indiegogo.com/PreserveAzoresBullfinch/x/825388

Considered almost extinct in the 20th century, today there is a small population of just over 1,000 Azores Bullfinches in total. Its habitat is highly threatened by the invasion of alien plant species. Projects implemented in the last few years by the SPEA successfully restored an important area of the Azorean Laurel forest, removing invasive alien plants and planting thousands of native and endemic plants.

These projects helped improving the status of the Bullfinch's population which increased from around 300 birds in the 1990’s to around 1,000 at the present. But the population remains very small. Although its conservation status has been downgraded from “critically endangered” to “endangered” on the IUCN Red List, it continues to be one of the most threatened and rarest birds in Europe.

Maintenance of the areas already cleared of invasive alien plant species is crucial for saving both the Bullfinch, and the native Laurel forest of São Miguel island, so important to the survival of the bird and to the local populations.

Our contribution is essential to keep this project going. With our support SPEA can continue to preserve the Azores Bullfinch and its natural habitat by managing the restored areas, as well as propagating the native and endemic species of the Azores and planting them in mountain areas cleared of invasive species.

Please whatch the video of the campaign, help and share: http://www.indiegogo.com/PreserveAzoresBullfinch/x/825388

Many thanks,
Rui Borralho