- History
BirdLife Cyprus History
BirdLife Cyprus was founded in 2003 through the merger of the Cyprus Ornithological Society (1957) and the Cyprus Ornithological Society (1970), and today is one of the leading nature protection organizations in Cyprus with around 10 staff and more than 500 members.
The most important milestones and events leading to the founding of BirdLife Cyprus and thereafter are below:
1957
1957
Cyprus Ornithological Society (Κυπριακός Ορνιθολογικός Σύνδεσμος) is founded and registered as a Society, attracting mainly English bird lovers and birdwatchers living in Cyprus
1970
1970
Cyprus Ornithological Society (Πτηνολογικός Σύνδεσμος Κύπρου) is founded and registered as a Society, mainly attracting Cypriots
1970
1970
Launch of the Cyprus Bird Ringing Scheme using bird rings with Cyprus Orn Soc as return address
1988
1988
Cyprus ratifies Bern Convention for the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats
2002
2002
Illegal Bird Trapping Monitoring programme starts with support from the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK)
2002
Spring 2002
1st bilateral meeting of COS (1970) and COS (1957) in Platres to discuss merger, represented by Melis Charalambides and Jeff Gordon respectively and refereed by Michael Gore. The whole process was strongly supported by Mr Tassos Leventis also.
2003
February 2003
1st AGM of newly formed BirdLife Cyprus and publication of first BirdLife Cyprus monthly newsletter. BirdLife Cyprus keeps Greek name of COS (1970).
2003
March 2003
Inaugural meeting of BirdLife Cyprus. Melis Charalambides appointed Chairman. Mr Tassos Leventis appointed President.
2003
2003
BirdLife Cyprus gets first staff member
2004
2004
Cyprus accedes to the EU and Birds Directive comes in force and BirdLife Cyprus publishes 2004 IBA Inventory
2007
2007
Inauguration of new offices of BirdLife Cyprus at Strakka (50th anniversary COS (1957) celebrations)
2012
2012
BirdLife Cyprus’ membership reaches 500
2012
2012
Start of first LIFE project for the restoration of Oroklini Lake
2013
2013
Birds ringed by BirdLife Cyprus ringing scheme surpass 73,000; database managed by Alan Crabtree
2013
2013
BirdLife Cyprus organizes 300th field meeting for members and friends
2013
2013
BirdLife Cyprus celebrates 10th Anniversary.
2018
2018
Start of the Cyprus Bycatch Project to understand and mitigate the negative effects of bycatch of vulnerable species like dolphins, turtles, sharks and rays and seabirds.
2019
2019
Cyprus bird trapping levels hit record low
2019
2019
Start of LIFE with Vultures, a targeted conservation project for the protection of the Griffon Vulture in Cyprus.
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