International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrates and highlights the importance of one of the most spectacular events in the Americas: bird migration.  Bird migration is a worldwide phenomenon, but is especially spectacular in North America, where about 10 billion birds fly up to 20,000 miles round-trip each spring and fall.  

IMBD focuses on a different conservation theme every year, which for 2015 is the importance of habitat to birds. Join us in celebrating IMBD by working in your communities to restore habitat for birds!

IMBD officially takes place each year on the second Saturday in May [May 9, 2015] in the U.S. and Canada, and in October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.  

Annual IMBD events can include bird-focused festivals, walks, surveys, presentations, activities for children (arts, games, contests), and service projects.  These events are most often designed for the general public, especially families; however, they also target local birders and other advocates who can serve as citizen scientists and local decision-makers who are instrumental in site protection.  IMBD events are often held in places set aside for wildlife, such as parks, national forests, refuges, and other places where wild birds can be seen firsthand, but are also a perfect fit for indoor classrooms or urban settings.

If you are not involved in International Migratory Bird Day now, we invite you to make 2015 an opportunity to join us and to motivate others in your organization to become active partners.  If you have other bird-related activities on your plate in May and cannot create a new event, we encourage you to incorporate the theme of why birds matter into your existing activities and related publicity. 

 For more information, please contact Environment for the Americas/IMBD at bday@birdday.org, 303.499.1950, and www.birdday.org. Downloadable materials, such as event flyers, press kits, and additional teaching activities, are also available.