www.rspb.org.uk

About the RSPB
The RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) exists to conserve wild birds and the habitats they live in. In practice this means we are involved in a very wide range of activities – from managing nature reserves to publishing education resources.
 

The RSPB was founded in 1889 in response to the plight of the great crested grebe, a water bird threatened with extinction at that time because its elegant feathers were favourites for decorating ladies’ hats. Women who objected to this destructive trade were at the forefront of the early conservation movement. Now, 115 years later the RSPB is Europe’s largest wildlife conservation charity, with over one million members.

The RSPB is part of a global partnership for the protection and conservation of birds, called BirdLife International.

The RSPB is perhaps best known for its nature reserves. We own and manage over 170 of these throughout the UK. Reserves are created as safe havens for birds and other wildlife, from puffins to water voles.
 

Managing nature reserves, however, is only part of the Society’s work. The RSPB carries out research into finding out how to help threatened bird species, whether ‘common’ species – now getting much less common, such as sparrows, or rarer ones such as bitterns and corncrakes. It has also helped reintroduce certain species once almost lost from the UK, such as the red kite. We work to promote healthy habitats for birds and wildlife, both on reserves or more widely. This includes working with farmers and landowners and advising on coastline and waterways management, to make sure the needs of wildlife are taken into account. The RSPB believes a healthy environment for birds and wildlife is best for people, too. The RSPB also takes on the political agenda where it is in keeping with its overall mission. Recently it has campaigned successfully against the building of an airport on Cliffe Marshes in Kent. It is also concerned with major environmental issues such as climate change (global warming), energy use, water conservation and what each of us can do to minimise our own environmental impact. We work to influence government environmental policy, including in the education arena. We believe that education out of the classroom is a vital part of learning, and campaign to make sure that the government appreciates the value of hands-on experience of nature and wildlife.

We also work to make sure that existing laws designed to protect wildlife are upheld. We have an Investigations Department, working with the police to prevent bird-related crime and make sure perpetrators – for example those who trap or poison birds of prey – are brought to justice.

www.rspb.org.uk