The SPEA team, in collaboration with recently arrived volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps, has been on a mission to raise awareness in the areas most affected by light pollution on the island of Madeira. The main aim is to inform the population about the Save a Seabird campaign and what they should do if they find a bird that has been dazzled.
The campaign has received support not only from the local community, but also from tourists visiting the island. You can join in by making different contributions, including: reducing your home’s outdoor lighting, signing up for the “Night with Life” Award, taking part in the Mega Blackout on 30 October and volunteering for one or more nights as part of the seabird rescue brigades.
As well as distributing information materials such as flyers and magnets, numerous posters have been displayed about the problem of light pollution. These posters can be found in strategic locations, such as restaurants, cafés, maritime-tourism establishments and other organisations close to areas where seabirds pass through, particularly the Zino’s petrel.
SPEA will continue its awareness-raising activities and will take part in the rescue brigades for both the Zino’s petrel, from 25 September to 6 October, and the Cory’s shearwater, from 23 October to 5 November, with the reinforcement of more volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps.
The general public has had a very positive response to the issue of light pollution and the possibility of donating some of their time as a volunteer. We would like to point out that if you find any birds in need of help, you can contact the Rede SOS Vida Selvagem of the Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, RAM, by calling +351 96195754.
