Nature United is the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization working in 74 countries.  The NGO works to “unite partners in governments, industries, non-profits and communities to define new pathways towards a sustainable future.  We invest in people to drive change at the scale and pace we need to address the greatest challenges we face.  The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to conserving the oceans, lands and waters on which all life depends.  Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.  We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale and providing food and water sustainably."

Joanna Smith

Joanna Smith, Nature United’s Director, Ocean Planning and Mapping on the Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters team writes to ACAP Latest News: “I still remember the first day I saw a Black-footed Albatross off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.  This huge bird emerged from dense fog on a calm day, wings nearly touching the ocean’s surface.  World Albatross Day is a very important way to raise awareness for these long-lived species across the world’s oceans.”

A colour-banded Black-footed Albatross Phoebastria nigripes at sea, photograph by Vicki Miller

With thanks to Joanna Smith, Director, Ocean Planning and Mapping, Nature United, Canada

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 June 2020

The World Albatross Day poster for 2020 was especially created by well-known illustrator Owen Davey at ACAP's request.  The low-resolution version on this website has been drawing admiring comments since it was first featured in ACAP Latest News back in December last year.

Owen Davey

For those who have been waiting patiently to obtain a high-quality version of the poster suitable for framing, you now need wait no more, and you can be satisfied that a goodly chunk of the purchase price will be passed on for albatross conservation as Owen has written in his Instagram post:

“World Albatross Day is fast approaching so I created this poster for the ‘Agreement in the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels’ (ACAP) to celebrate these majestic birds and raise awareness about their plight.  Sadly, thousands of albatrosses have suffered as a direct result of humans and the 31 listed species are amidst a conservation crisis.  50% of profits go directly to the Albatross Task Force to help fund their brilliant conservation work.”

The poster is available as Giclée prints and A3 posters (click here).

With thanks to Owen Davey, Kim Meech and Michelle Risi.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 June 2020

Wayne Sentman, Director of Conservation Travel Programs, Oceanic Society, has written to ACAP Latest News describing how his society contributes to the conservation of albatrosses:

“Founded in 1969 when an “open moment” of ecological awakening stirred in America, the Oceanic Society became the first non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the world’s oceans.  A pioneer in ocean-based ecotourism, the Oceanic Society has always recognized the importance of putting people into nature to educate, inspire and equip them to live more sustainably.  In 1997 we began our first expeditions to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.  From 1997-2002 the society assisted the US Fish & Wildlife Service with its seabird monitoring efforts, bringing out hundreds of volunteers to assist with monitoring albatross breeding plots, seabird habitat restoration efforts, and other seabird-focused research.  In 2002 the visitor programme on Midway closed, and it was not until 2008-2012 that it reopened.  During that period we resumed bringing out nature-oriented travellers to the atoll.  The visitor programme again closed in 2012 and has still not reopened.

Translocated Black-footed Albatross chicks, photograph from Pacific Rim Conservation

Starting in Hatch Year 2016 Oceanic Society initiated an Adopt an Albatross Program to stay connected to the albatross conservation actions happening on Midway and to support awareness around plastic pollution education.  Over the ensuing five years our adoption programme has donated over US$ 3500 to the Kure Atoll Conservancy and Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and funds have supported presentations at the Sixth International Marine Debris Conference.  In 2020 the adoption programme also awarded its first small grant of US$ 800 to the NGO Pacific Rim Conservation to assist with monitoring Black-footed Albatross Phoebastria nigripes chicks translocated in response to projected sea level rise in the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.”

Oceanic Society President and CEO, Rod Mast

Roderic Mast, Oceanic Society's President and CEO writes: “Oceanic is very excited to participate and support ACAP's inauguration of a World Albatross Day.  We look forward to the upcoming events and helping to raise awareness of these amazing seafaring birds worldwide.”

With thanks to Wayne Sentman, Director of Conservation Travel Programs, Oceanic Society.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 June 2020

A rainbow Sooty Albatross by Sara Pizarro Magnasco, aged 10

The World Albatross Day Colouring-in Competition which was announced on 2 June, two weeks ago, very few entries have been received to date - unlike the Great Albicake Bake Off, which has received over 65 entries.  It seems colouring line drawings of albatrosses is much less exciting than baking!

Unlike the Bake Off competition, which is now closed and the images are being readied for the judges, coloured drawings may be submitted up to 30 June.  So there is still time to download drawings, find your crayons or coloured pencils and talk to your children, grand-children or nieces and nephews.  If you know any primary school teachers please consider copying this post to them.

A Waved Albatross gets the colourful treatment by Penelope Roman Lain, aged four

Following discussion with a couple of “grown-ups”, a new adult category for the “young at heart” between 16 and 100 years has been established, for which a poster prize will also be awarded.  So there’s no real excuse if you are self isolating or in quarantine at home, or just needing a few minutes of relaxation in this COVID-19 world, to have a go yourself.

A rainbow Light-mantled Albatross drawn and coloured by Marion Schön (16+!), from a photograph (see below) by Oli Prince

To enter the competition, simply download drawings by clicking below the chosen photographs, colour in as many as wished, write the name and age of the child (or name of adult!) in the available blank space on each one, then scan or photograph the finished drawings and e-mail them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Write “Colouring-in Competition” in the Subject Field and the child’s name and age and your e-mail address in the body of the message. There is no limit to the number of entries submitted per child (or adult)

Note it is not essential-to colour in the albatrosses with realistic colours, although the original photos can be viewed as a guide.  Artistic license is encouraged, so hoping to see some more COVID-19 rainbow albatrosses.

All entrants will receive a specially designed electronic certificate illustrated with an albatross painting for printing. Age-category winners will in addition receive a high-quality albatross poster by mail suitable for framing.

Light-mantled Albatross, photograph by Oli Prince

 John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 June 2020