PROTECTINGPROTECTING MIGRATORYMIGRATORY BIRDSBIRDS ANDAND HABITATS:HABITATS: PartnersPartners inin FlightFlight ConservationConservation BusinessBusiness PlansPlans
David Younkman Vice President for Conservation [email protected] Tell you a story… 1. How we will move from CMS to on-the-ground projects 2. How organizations such as WHMSI and PIF are developing Conservation Business Plans to guide action 3. How you can join us David Younkman Vice President for Conservation [email protected] Migratory Birds Time is now for a major new effort • New Science connectivity, genetics, limiting factors • Increasing Pressures habitat loss, climate change, anthropogenic threats • Limited Funds • Decreasing bird populations
• Time to Act
A Funder’s Dilemma
A Funding Program Perspective: The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act •Hundreds of needy species •Limited $$ •Vast demand •Un‐prioritized lists of priorities •Lack of measurable goals linked to populations •Hard to measure return on investment •Are we making a difference? From CMS CONSERVATION BUSINESS PLANS CMS
WHMSI Americas Flyways Western Hemisphere Migratory Framework Species Initiative (Aichi Targets)
Partners in Flight Conservation Business Plans
On the Ground Projects Americas Flyway Framework CMS Flyways Working Group – WHMSI
Americas Flyway Framework Goals (AICHI 2020) 1.Strategic Goal 1. Mainstream biodiversity and migratory bird protection and conservation across government and society.
2.Strategic Goal 2. Reduce the direct pressures and threats on migratory birds and promote sustainable and productive landscapes, seascapes, land use and ocean use that benefit migratory bird populations.
3.Strategic Goal 3. Protect migratory birds and the phenomenon of migration by safeguarding species, genetic diversity, ecosystems and critical habitat areas.
4.Strategic Goal 4. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity, ecosystem services and migratory birds.
5.Strategic Goal 5. Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building. Americas Flyway Framework CMS Flyways Working Group – WHMSI
Americas Flyway Framework – 18 Actions •Example: Strategic Goal 3. Protect migratory birds and the phenomenon of migration by safeguarding species, genetic diversity, ecosystems and critical habitat areas. • Action 9. Halt extinctions by addressing the needs of the most imperiled migratory bird species. • Action 10. Foster the conservation of high priority sites and habitats, including networks of protected areas. Identify and protect effective ecological networks of sites and habitats … Ensure information …is readily available. Encourage …formal designations, voluntary measures and site management plans … to protect and manage critical sites. Foster trans-boundary collaboration, flyway networks, effective coalitions … Work with conservation initiatives and conservation business plans to guide conservation and deliver results …. Recognize the interconnectedness and transnational nature of migratory bird conservation …encourage coordination between countries and all parties. Partners in Flight • Established in 1990 • Cooperative effort involving several hundred government agencies, philanthropic foundations, conservation groups, industry, and the academic institutions • US, Canada, Mexico and Mesoamerica - but expanding • Focus: Conserve the land birds of the Western Hemisphere • Combining resources and collaborate • Open to anyone.
• Partners in Flight / Compañeros en Vuelo / Partenaires d’Envol Partners in Flight: Previous Planning Getting Conservation On-the Ground: Conservation Business Plans
1. Framework for actions that are measurable 2. Time bound and targeted 3. Prioritized projects that “move the needle” 4. Predicted return on investment 5. Iterative: monitor, evaluate, revise American Oystercatcher Business Plan American Oystercatcher Business Plan Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Business Strategy
5th International Partners in Flight Conference and Conservation Workshop August 2013 - Snowbird, Utah
• Over 250 individuals • 120 organizations and agencies • 14 countries A Conservation Blueprint for Migratory Birds for the 21st Century Conservation Business Plans 1. Eight linked regions
2. Full life cycle approach
3. Defined Projects - Measurable Results
“Bring back the birds”
Breakout teams get to work S. & Central America Highland Birds Situation Overview
Strategies and Actions Projects (Caribbean) Moving toward our goal Results to Date - A work in progress • Eight drafts nearing completion – Version One • Eight Working groups • Additional meetings: – Colombia – Caribbean – State Wildlife Plans • Species plans – Wood Thrush – Canada Warbler – Bobolink But…Full-life Cycle Bird Conservation More to do
1. Fill knowledge gaps 2. Further develop strategies and projects 3. Recruit new partners - especially Latin American and Caribbean input 4. Raise funds and implement best projects We need your help 1. Identify the Core Habitats for priority species 2. Identify and address sources of large landscape change 3. Send us strategies and project ideas 4. Communicate! Conservation Business Plans
New Research Species Plans
Conservation Business Plans: A Framework for Action
Success on the Ground What’s Needed What’s Next From CMS CONSERVATION BUSINESS PLANS CMS
WHMSI Americas Flyways Western Hemisphere Migratory Framework Species Initiative (Aichi Targets)
Partners in Flight Conservation Business Plans
On the Ground Projects 1. Working Groups and Contacts
• MX & C. AMERICA GULF-CARIBBEAN SLOPE – EASTERN DECIDUOUS FORESTS, primarily Atlantic and Gulf Coastal
Plains – Randy Wilson ([email protected]) • CHIHUAHUAN DESERT GRASSLANDS WESTERN GREAT PLAINS and PRAIRIES – Mary Gustafson
MIXED FOREST REGIONS, north to the BOREAL REGION – Randy Dettmer ([email protected]) • WEST MEXICAN THORNFOREST ARIDLANDS OF TEXAS and SOUTHWESTERN U.S – Carol Beardmore ([email protected]) David Younkman Vice President for Conservation [email protected] 2. Working Groups and Contacts
• SOUTHERN CONE GRASSLANDS EASTERN N. AMERICAN GRASSLANDS (tallgrass and east) and ARCTIC TUNDRA – Rosalind Renfrew ([email protected]) • CARIBBEAN variety of EASTERN AND BOREAL FOREST REGIONS – Becky Keller
Canada – John Alexander ([email protected]) • PACIFIC SHOREBIRDS U.S. AND CANADA PACIFIC COASTAL areas – Andres, Brad ([email protected])
David Younkman Vice President for Conservation [email protected] ThankThank youyou
David Younkman Vice President for Conservation [email protected]