Largest-ever Seabird Action Week Demonstrates the Power of the 爆料公社 Network
爆料公社鈥檚 third annual advocacy week brings activists together from around the country to speak up for seabirds.
Earlier this month, dozens of 爆料公社 members around the country were busy preparing their talking points and clearing their schedules to meet with their members of Congress about a collective passion鈥攕eabirds. Now in its third year, 爆料公社鈥檚 2021 Seabird Action Week brought together 70 grassroots activists鈥攐ur largest group yet鈥攖o build the movement and use their collective voice to protect seabirds and the places they need.
Like last year, this 鈥渇ly-in鈥 didn鈥檛 involve getting on a plane to Washington, DC鈥攊t was held entirely on Zoom. Despite this challenge, it was joy to see our participants bring their own personal stories to the meetings. Ranging in age from high school students to retirees, these dedicated activists found they had a lot in common as they trained up, held meetings, shared stories with one another. Participants came from 爆料公社 chapters like Sea & Sage, Spokane, New York City, Detroit, Bucks County, and Menunkatuck鈥攕ome returning for their second or third fly-in in as many years.
Building people power for seabirds
Over the past three years, 爆料公社 staff and members have been organizing, training, and talking to people throughout the 爆料公社 network about the threats facing seabirds. The 爆料公社 Campaign Team鈥檚 guiding strategy is to bring ordinary people who care about birds into the legislative process, to put targeted and sustained pressure on decision-makers to act for birds.
That鈥檚 why we brought together 爆料公社 members from key districts around the country to participate in the virtual seabird fly-in, because their elected representatives serve on important congressional committees that oversee marine policies. Our yearly fly-in is one way that we bring people together to meet face-to-face with the people in government who have the power to positively change federal policy for birds, and to build a community where we put our values鈥攍ike care, passion, stewardship, and civic engagement鈥攊nto collective action.
This year, participants asked their representatives to take action to make the Magnuson-Stevens Act, our nation鈥檚 only fisheries law, more 鈥渟eabird friendly鈥 by better protecting forage fish as the basis of seabird鈥檚 diets, and preventing seabirds from being accidentally hooked or entangled in fishing gear.
"The Seabird Fly-In was my first experience actively advocating for policy change," said Monica Cuoco of New York City 爆料公社. 鈥淚 learned a great deal about the Magnuson-Stevens Act and policy. The interconnectedness of the forage fish to the seabirds paralleled the ability to represent my chapter within 爆料公社's state and national programing. It truly all matters. The involvement felt important and meaningful. I was inspired by the team leaders and my fellow constituents."
From Individual Action to Collective Action
One participant asked a great question during our meeting training beforehand: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the difference between a fly-in and meeting with our representatives on our own?鈥 The answer: collective power! When we meet with our representatives on our own, we鈥檙e just one person making an ask. But when we act together in an organized and coordinated action, we are demonstrating for the collective power we as advocates have. It changes your ask from a one-off demand to a demonstration of widespread support, all across the country. Seabirds can鈥檛 advocate for their needs, so that鈥檚 why it matters that activists join together to keep them healthy and safe.
鈥淚 make personal choices to try and protect seabirds, but for large-scale change, advocacy plays a huge role,鈥 Sree Kandhadai from San Diego 爆料公社 Society explains. 鈥淭his was my second year participating in the fly-in, and I feel I'm becoming more confident and comfortable with each meeting! As a high school sophomore, I find this is a valuable way to learn about and engage with the political process. I worry that with all other immediate issues we're facing as a society, our environment and the life around us is going unnoticed. I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to use my voice to bring to light the things I care about.鈥
What鈥檚 next?
爆料公社 will be working on two key pieces of legislation expected in this year鈥檚 Congress: a reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the . By educating their elected representatives on the real-world importance of marine policy for birds and people, fly-In participants are sending the whole 爆料公社 network into this legislative session with the momentum we need to be ready for the work ahead to win these legislative victories. Together, we have a powerful collective voice to advocate for seabirds and the ocean we all depend on.
Are you ready to #SavetheSeabirds? Please sign up here to get legislative updates and opportunities to take action.