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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ('''RSPB''') is a British Charitable Organisation which works to promote Conservation and protection of Bird s and the wider Environment through public awareness campaigns, Petition s and through the operation of Nature Reserves throughout the United Kingdom.1 The RSPB has 1,500 Employee s, 12,000 Volunteers and over 1 million members, making it the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe .2 The RSPB has a number of local groups, and maintains 182 reserves across the United Kingdom.3 The charity was founded in 1889 as a Protest group, campaigning against the use of Great Crested Grebe skins and feathers in Fur Clothing .4 The society received a Royal Charter in 1903 from Edward VII , and was instrumental in petitioning the Parliament Of The United Kingdom to introduce acts banning the use of Plumage in clothing.5 Today, the RSPB works with both the Civil Service and the Government to advise Government policies on conservation and Environmentalism .6 ACTIVITIES Conservation lists The RSPB is one of several organisations that determine the official conservation status list for all birds found in the UK. This consists of three lists - red, green and amber - with red list detailing birds of the highest conservation concern. For a bird to be on the red list it must fulfill any one of the following four criteria:7
Reserves See Also: List of RSPB reserves reserve.]] The RSPB maintains 203 reserves across the United Kingdom, covering a wide range of Habitat s, from Estuaries and Mudflat s to Urban Habitat s.8 The reserves usually have Bird Hide s provided for Birdwatchers , and many reserves provide Visitor Centre s which include information about the wildlife which can be seen around the reserve.9 MAGAZINES The RSPB has published a members- only magazine for over a century. Bird Notes ''Bird Notes and News'' () was first published in April 1903. The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. From March 1953, many of the covers were by Charles Tunnicliffe . Two of the originals are on long-term loan to the Tunicliffe gallery at Oriel Ynys Môn , but in 1995 the RSPB sold 114 at a Sotheby's auction, raising £210,000; the most expensive being a picture of a partridge which sold for £6,440.RSPB ''Birds'' magazine, Vol 16 No 01, February-April 1996, page 10 From January 1964 (vol. 31, no. 1), publication increased from the previous four copies per year (one for each season, published on the 1st of each third month, March, June, September and December), to six, (issued in the odd-numbered months, January, March and so on, but dated "January-February", "March-April", etc.). Volumes covered two years, so vol. 30, covering 1962–63, therefore included nine issues, ending with the "Winter 1963–64" edition, instead of eight. The final edition, vol. 31 no. 12, was published in late 1965.. ;Editors
Birds Its successor ''Birds'' () replaced it immediately, with volume 1, number 1 being the January-February 1966 edition. Issues were published quarterly, numbered so that a new volume started every other year. Birds is still published quarterly, the May 2007 edition being vol. 21 no. 6. ;Editors
JUNIOR DIVISIONS The RSPB has two separate groups for children and teenagers: Wildlife Explorers (formerly the Young s, and produces ''Wingbeat'' magazine, although members also receive ''Bird Life'' magazine.11 FINANCES The RSPB is funded primarily by its members; in 2006, over 50% of the society's £ 88 million income came from Subscription s, Donation s and Legacies , worth a total of £ 53.669 million. As a Registered Charity , the organisation is entitled to Gift Aid worth an extra £ 0.28 on every £ 1.00 donated by Income Tax payers.12 The bulk of the income (£ 63.757 million in 2006) is spent on conservation projects, maintenance of the reserves and on Education projects, with the rest going on fundraising efforts and reducing the pension deficit, worth £ 19.8 million in 2006. PRESIDENTS
CHIEF OFFICERS Over time, the RSPB's Chief Officer s have had a number of different titles.
FOOTNOTES SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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