Dual role
The IWC 2026 winter waterbird censuses concluded last Sunday, with the participation of ACMA and numerous volunteer hunters with a passion for aquatic fauna and wetland environments. The importance of this dual role was highlighted by FACE, the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation, in a post on its Facebook page.
A winter closer to normal
This is the text of the post: "Every year, hunters from across Italy play an active role in the International Water Census (IWC), and 2026 brought particularly encouraging results. Through ACMA, the specialized waterfowl section of Federcaccia, hunting members once again contributed to the coordination of counts in Italian wetlands, supporting one of the most important international biodiversity monitoring efforts. A winter closer to "normal." After several years marked by unusual conditions, this winter finally showed signs of balance. More typical weather patterns brought greater numbers of wintering waterfowl to Italy, allowing observers to record numerous species and tens of thousands of individuals."
Knowledge that makes the difference
Hunters' deep understanding of wetlands, migration routes, and bird behavior has proven crucial to providing accurate and reliable data. Their presence in the field has once again demonstrated how practical experience and local knowledge strengthen scientific monitoring. The IWC is a clear example of how hunters directly contribute to conservation, not only through sustainable use, but also by actively supporting long-term monitoring and international research. When science and field experience work together, nature benefits.
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