LIPU-UK was founded in 1989 and since then has been successful in supporting LIPU, the Italian League for Bird Protection, the BirdLife Partner in Italy, in many ways. LIPU-UK members have been to Italy to help on the ground with various projects and members and friends have together raised money totalling over £1,000,000 which has been committed to conservation work in support of the birds in Italy.

LIPU-UK has now come of age and achieved another milestone - having raised one million pounds all devoted to protecting birds in Italy. We are a registered charity and have around 1,000 members whose loyalty and generosity have made these things possible. Run entirely on a voluntary basis we have minimised our operating costs and succeed in most years in containing expenses below 10% of funds raised.

Members receive four colour newsletters, Ali (Wings), per year and all administration is done in this country so a lack of knowledge of Italian is no reason for not joining.

Each year the trustees of LIPU-UK choose 4 or 5 projects to support and in 2011 we shall be funding the following work in Italy:

• Anti-poaching measures in Sardinia, near Brescia and at the Straits of Messina.
• Monitoring the migration routes of raptors through Sicily.
• Research for the establishment of Marine Important Bird Areas (IBAs).
• Medicines and other consumables for LIPU Recovery Centres (Bird Hospitals).

Progress is being made and the situation is a lot better than it was in the 90s, but it is a slow process and there is still a long way to go. Help is still needed and you could play a part by joining LIPU-UK and knowing that your membership subscription of just £15 per year will be making a vital contribution to the safety of birds both in, and over, Italy. For more information please e-mail me now, or drop me line at: