Renewal of MOU Ceremony between the EAAFP Secretariat, KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, and Incheon Metropolitan City, along with the EAAFP Foundation’s 2023–2024 Small Grant Programme Reporting Workshop held in Songdo, Republic of Korea

The MOU was signed by the EAAFP Secretariat, KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, and Incheon Metropolitan City. Pictured from left: Sungkook Kim, Head of KOEN Yeongheung Power Division; Jennifer George, Chief Executive of EAAFP Secretariat; Chulsoo Kim, Head of Environment Bureau, Incheon Metropolitan City. ©EAAFP

On 29th May 2024, the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership Secretariat (hereafter ‘EAAFP Secretariat’), KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, and Incheon Metropolitan City held a ceremony at G-Tower in Songdo, Incheon, to extend their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at protecting migratory waterbirds and their habitats in Incheon. Representatives from KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, Incheon Metropolitan City, the EAAFP Secretariat, and the EAAFP Foundation attended the ceremony.

KOEN Yeongheung Power Division has been actively collaborating and providing financial support to the EAAFP Secretariat since their bilateral agreement in 2018 and the tripartite agreement in 2021. The extension of the MoU in 2024 for another five years underscores their continued dedication.

With financial support from KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, the EAAFP has organised various events, including the ‘International Workshop on Alternative Habitats and Wetland Centers in Songdo’ (2018), ‘Incheon Winter Bird School’ (2018), ‘Workshop on Biodiversity Enhancement in Incheon-Gyeonggi Bay Area’ (2019), ‘The Creation of Educational Posters on Birds of the Incheon-Gyeonggi Bay Area’ (2019), and the ‘World Migratory Bird Day Public Lecture’ (2019).

Since its inception, the EAAFP Foundation has utilised sponsorship from KOEN Yeongheung Power Division for its Small Grant Programme, which commenced in 2020. The EAAFP Foundation’s Small Grant Programme plays a significant role in supporting local projects that raise awareness about the importance of migratory waterbirds, habitat conservation, and biodiversity. These initiatives also contribute significantly to enhancing the capabilities of local stakeholders.

KOEN Yeongheung Power Division has donated 30 million KRW to the EAAFP Secretariat for conservation activities. Pictured on the left is Sungkook Kim, Head of KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, and on the right is Jennifer George, Chief Executive of EAAFP Secretariat. ©EAAFP

Following the renewal of the MoU, a donation ceremony was held where KOEN Yeongheung Power Division presented the EAAFP Secretariat with 30 million KRW. This annual donation, intended to continue until 2027, will significantly bolster the EAAFP Secretariat’s efforts in conserving migratory waterbirds and their habitats. The EAAFP Secretariat expressed gratitude for KOEN Yeongheung Power Division’s sustained support and looks forward to continued collaboration with them and Incheon Metropolitan City in the future.

Participants of the 2023–2024 Small Grant Programme Reporting Workshop ©EAAFP

After the MoU renewal ceremony and donation event, the EAAFP Foundation hosted its 2023–2024 Small Grant Programme Reporting Workshop. Since its establishment in 2019, the EAAFP Foundation has actively collaborated with the EAAFP Secretariat to support the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership.

The workshop featured six grantees who conducted conservation activities for migratory waterbirds and their habitats from October 2023 to March 2024. Participants actively shared their experiences in local conservation efforts and discussed strategies for further enhancement. The involvement of KOEN Yeongheung Power Division and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, sponsors of the Small Grant Programme, enriched the discussions.

The EAAFP Foundation’s Small Grant Programme continues to operate thanks to ongoing financial support from KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, with the Hanns Seidel Foundation joined as a sponsor for the 2023–2024 cycle, further solidifying its partnership with the EAAFP.

Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat and Chairperson of the EAAFP Foundation ©EAAFP

The Small Grant Programme Reporting Workshop began with a congratulatory remark from Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat and Chairperson of the EAAFP Foundation. Jennifer expressed gratitude to the grantees and sponsors, underscoring the importance of each grantee’s projects. She emphasised the interconnectedness among stakeholders dedicated to the conservation of migratory birds that traverse borders along the sky’s superhighway during spring and autumn migrations. Jennifer also conveyed optimism regarding future cooperation efforts.

Yeonhee Choi, Senior Manager of KOEN Yeongheung Power Division ©EAAFP

Yeonhee Choi, Senior Manager of KOEN Yeongheung Power Division, emphasised the value of the ongoing cooperation with the EAAFP Secretariat since 2020. As a regional representative of a public enterprise, she affirmed the company’s commitment to continuing participation in projects and providing financial support in the future.

Bernhard Seliger, Representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea ©EAAFP

Bernhard Seliger, representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea, highlighted in a video message the significant contribution of the EAAFP Foundation’s Small Grant Programme to the conservation of migratory birds, their habitats, and the preservation of biodiversity. He underscored the essential role of local conservation efforts and expressed determination for the continued success of the Small Grant Programme in the future.

Following the congratulatory remarks, the reporting presentations proceeded in the following order: Ganghwa Citizen Network, Birds Korea Yeoncheon, KFEM Incheon, Green Together Institute, Wetlands and Birds Korea, and Ulsan River Saving Network.

Soonrae Kim, Chairman of the Ecology Conservation Committee, Ganghwa Citizen Network ©EAAFP

Part of the presentation materials from Ganghwa Citizen Network ©EAAFP

The Ganghwa Citizen Network presented the results of the Incheon Crane Monitoring Project, which aimed to investigate the habitat and ecological environment of Cranes arriving in the Incheon area. This project provided essential data for maintaining a healthy ecosystem and promoting sustainable development in Ganghwa County and the Yeongjong Tidal Flat located in the Han River Estuary (EAAF028).

During the project period, they reported observing a total of 23 families and 56 species of birds, with the Greater White-fronted Goose and the Bean Goose identified as the dominant species. They also outlined plans to enhance the project by training more Crane surveyors and expanding opportunities for citizen participation in the future.

Seunggwang Baek, Representative of Birds Korea Yeoncheon ©EAAFP

Part of the presentation materials from Birds Korea Yeoncheon ©EAAFP

Next, Birds Korea Yeoncheon presented their findings on the habitat and population changes of the Scaly-sided Merganser, gathered through the ‘Simultaneous Survey of the Scaly-sided Merganser at Flyway Network Sites (FNS)’ project. They detailed their initiatives aimed at conserving and restoring the Scaly-sided Merganser population based on these findings.

They expressed their dedication to ongoing research and conservation efforts aimed at protecting the habitat and ecosystem of the Scaly-sided Merganser. Furthermore, they affirmed their commitment to engaging in collaborative conservation activities with local communities in the future.

Okhee Park, Secretary-General of KFEM Incheon ©EAAFP

Part of the presentation materials from KFEM Incheon ©EAAFP

As part of the Small Grant Programme, KFEM Incheon conducted a programme where citizens of Incheon explored the Cranes, the city’s symbol, and observed their ecology as winter migratory birds. Approximately 50 citizens participated in this programme, engaging in bird watching activities in Cheolwon and Ganghwa Island. During these expeditions, they had the opportunity to observe endangered species such as the White-naped Crane and the Red-crowned Crane.

This initiative not only provided citizens with insights into the ecological characteristics of the Red-crowned Crane but also underscored the importance of habitat conservation.

Green Choi, Representative of Green Together Institute ©EAAFP

Part of the presentation materials from Green Together Institute ©EAAFP

Green Together Institute organized an exhibition showcasing observation diaries of migratory birds, directly recorded by natural environment interpreters active in Seocheon County. They presented the outcomes of this project, highlighting that the exhibition was held at the Seocheon Country Cultural and Arts Creation Space from 10th December 2023 to 10th January 2024, spanning a month.

The exhibition served as a platform to foster knowledge-building and information exchange among residents about migratory birds and their habitats. It was anticipated that this initiative would significantly contribute to enhancing conservation efforts for migratory birds in the region.

Part of the presentation materials from Wetlands and Birds Korea ©EAAFP

Following the presentations from the first four grantees, Wetlands and Birds Korea and the Ulsan River Saving Network conducted their presentations via Zoom.

Wetlands and Birds Korea shared the outcomes of the ‘20th Nakdong Estuary (EAAF097) Winter Bird Watching Event for Youth’ held twice in November and December 2023. The event aimed to cultivate ecological sensitivity and environmental conservation awareness among youth. They highlighted that the event provided an opportunity for youth to recognize the interconnectedness between ecosystems and the future of humanity. They underscored the significance of this awareness, which led to the formation of a “Youth Bird Watching Club.”

Part of the presentation materials from Ulsan River Saving Network ©EAAFP

The Ulsan River Saving Network presented the results of their monitoring of migratory waterbirds in the Ulsan Taehwa River (EAAF150) Estuary from 1st October 2023 to 31st March 2024. They conducted winter bird monitoring sessions a total of 22 times from November to March, following an educational programme on winter bird monitoring methods for approximately 30 members of the Ulsan River Saving Network, conducted by avian experts.

The survey revealed a total of 3,280 individuals from up to 20 different species of waterbirds. They noted that while the number of species observed was similar to the results from 2022 and 2023, there was a significant decrease in the overall number of individuals. They concluded their presentation by emphasising the importance of identifying the causes behind this decrease in numbers.

Following the presentation of the results, Q&A and discussion sessions are taking place. ©EAAFP

During the question-and-answer session and subsequent discussion following the presentations, participants engaged in lively discussions. Jennifer George, Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat and Chairperson of the EAAFP Foundation, posed inquiries to representatives from the grantees regarding any challenges encountered during project implementation.

In response, the grantees expressed their desire for expanded support from international organisations, government agencies, experts, and NGOs to facilitate the seamless sharing and utilisation of monitoring and survey results. Furthermore, some grantees indicated their readiness to engage more actively in conservation efforts by collaborating with other NGOs and governments, contingent upon proactive administrative support to establish networks.

The workshop concluded successfully with these constructive discussions.

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