6. Your support of the BirdLife partnership means we can share our expertise globally, helping Korean shorebird sanctuaries achieve World Heritage status.

This year, four major mudflats on South Korea’s Yellow Sea coast have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the culmination of years of campaigning. These mudflats are vital staging areas for millions of migratory waterbirds, as well as breeding sites for several endangered species.

In 2015, the South Korean government made an offer for UNESCO recognition for these sites. The Korean World Heritage Promotion Team has worked tirelessly to consult with international stakeholders and lobby for support, reaching out to experts from around the world, including BirdLife. We quickly got to work assessing the data and how it met international criteria. We have also worked with the East Asian-Australasian Flyway partnership to mobilize the international conservation community for their support. A total of 78 signatories were brought together, including representatives from an impressive 33 BirdLife partners.

World Heritage status not only recognizes the exceptional importance of the mudflat for nature, but also provides some of the best guarantees for good management and protection. Get more information here.