By Derrick Silimina

FQM Trident, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals has commemorated the World Migratory Bird Day in style in a bid to contribute to global bird monitoring efforts at Kalumbila Golf Estates.

The event, celebrating its fifth consecutive year, successfully brought together over 200 participants, including school children from Kalumbila and Solwezi primary schools, as well as parents and key stakeholders. This gathering aimed to promote awareness of bird conservation and support global bird monitoring initiatives.

“It is very important for us to raise awareness for our natural habitat, especially among younger generations. We have rich biodiversity and a day like this is key to raise awareness among young ones who will make informed decisions on how to safeguard their environment,” said FQM Trident Wildlife Superintendent David Squarre.

Dr. Square emphasized that Birding Day provides practical education through the use of apps like eBird, enabling enthusiasts to easily track and record bird species, thereby contributing to a comprehensive global database .

He further added that the event featured a demonstration of bird ringing, allowing participants to observe birds closely and gain insight into the scientific techniques used in bird monitoring.

“It’s inspiring to see such a strong turnout and so much interest from the Kalumbila and Solwezi community, especially the children. This zeal demonstrates a deep connection to nature and a commitment to conservation.”

Speaking at the same event, Kansanshi mine Plc Coordinator for Biodiversity & Mine site Rehabilitation Jackson Katampi highlighted that hosting the event within the Trident Golf Estate provides an ideal habitat for various bird species, emphasizing the area’s ecological suitability for bird conservation and observation.

“This shows our commitment, not only to mining but also to biodiversity conservation. As a company, we have a deliberate policy that goes beyond our mining license to try and conserve ecologically sensitive areas,” Dr. Katampi said.

He emphasized the importance of engaging schools from Sowezi and Kalumbila to raise awareness about the vital role of birds in ecosystems.
Dr. Katampi stressed the need for fostering healthy coexistence between humans and birds, advocating for environmental adaptations that support migratory bird populations in both urban and rural settings.

“Basically our target was the young generation. We try to inspire these kids to understand the importance of overall environmental conservation and our aim is to drive a mindset change within the communities that we do business from, so that we raise a generation that is going to be responsible, not only with other things, but most importantly with the environment.”

This year’s World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated under the theme, “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.”