Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Description

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is a charity that works to conserve birds and the wider environment across the United Kingdom.

It runs public awareness campaigns and petitions, advises government on conservation policy, and maintains over 200 nature reserves covering habitats from estuaries to forests. It organises the Big Garden Birdwatch, a large annual citizen-science bird count, and supports young people through youth groups such as Wildlife Explorers and RSPB Phoenix. It is the UK partner of BirdLife International and helps set the official conservation status of birds found in the UK.

It is funded mainly by its members, through subscriptions, donations and legacies, and spends most of its income on conservation, reserve maintenance and education. It is governed by an RSPB Council under a royal charter, with a President, Vice-Presidents and a Chief Executive.

It was founded in 1889 in Manchester as a campaign against the use of bird feathers and skins in fashion, and received a Royal Charter in 1904. It works throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.