As per our Sustainability Policy and foundational Environmental Stewardship Policy, KAUST has set a series of operational policies, guidelines, and monitoring systems aimed at keeping our aquatic ecosystems healthy while providing opportunities for people to learn about the vast benefits they provide. Bird feeding stations, mangrove planting, beekeeping activities, insect habitat support, nature walks, and classroom activities are examples of public engagement and awareness actions that directly foster the health and protection of our surrounding aquatic and land ecosystems.

The Nature Conservation Area is also home to the Ibn Sina Field Research Station, which hosts long-term experimental and monitoring programs by which KAUST researchers gather important information about the local biodiversity. This area provides excellent opportunities to observe birds, as do other areas at KAUST, which lies on a major bird migratory route. More than 240 species of resident and migrant birds shelter here throughout the year.

In autumn, migrating birds leave their breeding grounds in Central Eurasia and along the Red Sea to winter in North and East Africa. In the spring, they return to the Red Sea. Most birds break their long journeys into a series of shorter trips, with multiple stops along the way. The location is ideal for birdwatching because of its variety of food for birds to replenish their energy supplies, its freshwater for drinking, and its vegetation for cover from predators.