The adoption of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in 1979 aimed to boost collaboration for the preservation and improvement of ecological connectivity across transboundary habitats, protected areas spanning borders, and delicate ecosystems along the migratory routes of particular species.
When we refer to migratory species, we often picture vast oceans, remote wetlands, or distant forests. Yet many migratory species’ journeys dissect with cities and other urban conurbations. Urban areas are not only home to more than half of the world’s population, they are also critical habitats, sites for breeding, resting, and feeding, and part of ecological corridors for countless migratory species. Local governments manage parks, wetlands, coastlines, and urban forests. They design infrastructure, regulate lighting, guide land-use planning, and engage directly with communities.
That’s why ICLEI actively collaborates with the CMS Secretariat and has supported them in numerous awareness raising initiatives and knowledge sharing outputs. For example, local mobilization annually for the World Migratory Bird Campaign and development of knowledge products like the CitiesWithNature GUIDE: Curb light pollution in your city.
Partnering with the Convention on Migratory Species
CitiesWithNature GUIDE
Curb light pollution in your city
Light pollution is increasing globally, with an estimated 80% of the world’s population currently living under a “lit sky” – a figure closer to 99% in Europe and North America. The amount of artificial light on the Earth’s surface is increasing by at least 2% annually, while the use of artificial light at night is substantially increasing all over the world.
This guide provides helpful, science-based information to cities.
We are also a proud member of CMS Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity
ICLEI contributes to GPEC’s areas of work by:
Policy & legislation
Promoting ecological connectivity in local and regional policies and planning
Encouraging multilevel governance and vertical integration in legislation concerning migratory species
Awareness & outreach
Supporting campaigns such as World Migratory Bird Day among others
Contributing to knowledge products and case studies
Uptake & implementation
Promoting practical biodiversity actions and sharing best practices at urban and landscape scales
Cities and urban settlements are uniquely positioned to contribute to the objectives of the Convention. Recognizing this opportunity, ICLEI launched Journeys for Life: Cities and Regions Connecting for Migratory Species. Journeys for Life is designed to support the objectives of CMS by mobilizing cities and regions along migratory routes and flyways to work together in protecting species and restoring the ecological connectivity that sustains them. The initiative is built on a simple but powerful idea: If migratory species depend on a network of habitats across cities, provinces, countries and continents, our governance systems must also become a network.
The CMS recognized ICLEI’s cooperation over the years by identifying it as one of its partners and calling for multilevel action in the CMS COP14 resolution on “Synergies and Partnerships”. CMS is also one of our CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature partners.