The Save Our Seabirds (SOS) Festival aims to raise awareness of the plight of seabirds and celebrate their beauty through a series of free evening lectures and a photographic exhibition at the Two Oceans Aquarium during National Marine Week.
A SOS Festival highlight is the BirdLife South Africa/Canon photographic competition. Leading entries will be on exhibit at the Two Oceans Aquarium from 12 to 18 October 2009. The general public has the opportunity to choose the two winners of this competition in two ways. The mounted images are up for sale on the internet, at http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/. The winning image is the one that receives the highest bid. A second winner will be chosen from votes made at the exhibition during the week.
EVENING LECTURES:
Venue: Metropolitan Health Group & Qualsa Think Tank Auditorium, Two Oceans Aquarium
Time: 18h30 for 19h00
Each lecture will be followed by complimentary cheese and wine.
Monday 12 October 2009
Antarctic Impressions by Peter Steyn
Followed by a book signing and the opening of Seabird Photographic Exhibition.
Department of Environmental Affairs celebrates 50 years in Antarctica.
Tuesday 13 October 2009
The Secret Lives of Langebaan’s Waders by Prof. Les Underhill
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Seabirds as key contributers to marine eco-systems by Prof. George Branch.
Followed by book signing.
Note: All these lectures are FREE, but booking is essential. First-come first-served.
To book, please contact Bronwyn at BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division 021 419 7347 or email albatross@birdlife.org.za
Gala evening and cocktail party
Friday 16 October 2009 18h30 for 19h00
I&J Predator Exhibit, Two Oceans Aquarium
The Plastics Federation launches the Marine Important Bird Areas Programme with BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division.
Owl Award presentation.
Seabird Photographic Competition.
Announcement of winners and awards.
Lucky Draw Prize-giving.
NOTE: The Gala Evening is FREE, but booking is essential. First-come first served.
To book, please contact Bronwyn at BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division 021 419 7347 or email: albatross@birdlife.org.za
BirdLife South Africa and the Department of Water & Environmental Affairs is proud to partner the Two Oceans Aquarium in launching an educational programme during the SOS Festival. Children from under-privileged schools on the Cape Flats will be taken on a tour of coastal sites to see birds and have marine and coastal environmental issues explained to them. The tour will end at the Two Oceans Aquarium for more marine education.
BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird and Education divisions have developed curricular material which will be made available nationally. The school education programme will run at other aquariums in Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and the Pretoria Zoo.
The SOS Festival is a National Marine Month initiative from BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division. It will run from 12–18 October 2009 in partnership with Marine and Coastal Management and the Two Oceans Aquarium.
All details of the programme and events are available on BLSA web site:
www.birdlife.org.za/page/5614/save_our_seabirds_festival_2009
Photo: Breakfast by Trevor Butler
