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5IF#JSE-JGF8PSME$POGFSFODFUIFGVUVSF -BTU.JOVUF/FXT PGCJSEDPOTFSWBUJPO A full contingent of New representatives to Global Council and BirdLife Americas the Executive Americas Regional Council partners attended of BirdLife International Empowering Executive Americas Regional Council People for Change, (ExCRA) the BirdLife World • Alberto Yanosky (Guyra Paraguay): President Conference, in • Caroline Schultz (Canadian Nature Federation): Durban, South Ex-president Africa, in March • Andrés Bosso (Aves Argentinas): Representative 2004. In excess of • Representative (Americas Global Council 350 delegates from member): Vacant more than 100 countries, Global Council including • Julie Gelfand (Canadian Nature Federation) representatives • Loyda Sánchez (Panama Audubon Society) • Ben Olewine (National Audubon Society) across the breadth The BirdLife Partnership at the 2004 World Conference, Durban, South Africa • Alberto Yanosky (Guyra Paraguay) of the BirdLife Partnership, from all major international As part of our drive to meet these conservation organizations, from governments, commitments, BirdLife formally endorsed the and bilateral and multilateral agencies widespread formation of “Site Support attended. Groups”, who will engage and empower local stakeholders in the management and Delegates adopted a tough new strategy conservation of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) &RQWHQWV committing BirdLife to improve the status of throughout the world. 1HZV British Birdfair announces support for the world's 10,000 bird species and their Tumbesian dry forests of northern Peru habitats by 2015. Bird populations will serve BirdLife Americas organizations met during the project Educating for BirdLife as indicators of whether progress is being Conference to approve a Program for made in achieving these goals. In a final 2004–2008, which will commit us to ,%$3URJUDP rallying call, BirdLife Director Dr Michael completing an IBA inventory for the entire Effective Conservation of IBAs in Rands said, "In ten years time, I hope the world Americas region, and in parallel implement Paraguay: the case of San Rafael can look back at the 2004 BirdLife World conservation actions at priority sites. The final Funds secured for protection of Conference in Durban and see it as a turning item point on the agenda was to express grassland IBAs point in the way people around the world treat thanks to the Chair, Caroline Schultz (from the 1HZVIURPWKH3DUWQHUVKLS biodiversity and place local communities at Canadian Nature Federation), who in her Birds of the Condor Mountain Range, the heart of future conservation efforts.” four-year term has helped establish the Ecuador foundation for BirdLife’s growth in the BirdLife and CEPF take action for "The strategy we have adopted is a firm Americas. Brazil's Atlantic Forests commitment by the BirdLife Partnership, in Paraguay: in search of our national bird over 100 countries, to protect the world's birds During the World Conference, new 7KH$PHULFDVZRUNLQJIRU and biodiversity for the sake of future representatives from the Americas were ELUGV« generations. These are not empty words—we elected to both the Regional and Global Biodiversity conservation promoted in must succeed.” Councils. These dedicated individuals will Guyana help steer BirdLife as a whole and implement 1HZVIURPWKHUHJLRQ "We must ensure that everyone, from local our Americas Program. people to government ministers, knows what is happening to the world's biodiversity, why it is Ian Davidson, Head of BirdLife Americas happening, and how, through working with Program BirdLife and others, we can start to put things right." www.birdlife.org Page 2 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 1HZV
#SJUJTI#JSEGBJSBOOPVODFTTVQQPSUGPS 8FC4JUFTPG*OUFSFTU 5VNCFTJBOESZGPSFTUTPGOPSUIFSO1FSVQSPKFDU North-western Peru has a great diversity of Launching of the publication “ Status of the habitats in a small area, including World Birds” mangroves, deserts, three distinct dry forest Based on the UICN´s Red List Criteria, types, humid montane forests, paramo and BirdLife International has assessed the status subtropical forests. This diversity and the of all the bird species in the world for four times since 1980. The 2004 assessment long-term climatic stability of the region has reaches the conclusion that 1,215 especies led to the evolution of many endemic – one out of eight of the total – are globally species. threatened by extinction. A copy of the “Status of the World Birds ” can be obtained North-western Peru contains parts of eight at Endemic Bird Areas, supports 80 endemic http://www.birdlilfe.org/action/science/speci bird species and 21 globally threatened es/sowb or upon request to [email protected] species, including spectacular flagship species like the critically endangered The “Manual on Field Exercises and White-winged Guan, the vulnerable Ornithology Lab” of the Wilson’s Marvelous Spatulatail (a hummingbird) and Treasures of the Forgotten Forest book Ornithological Society can be found in the near threatened Long-whiskered Owlet http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/pdf/ manualespanol.pdf (only known from mistnet captured birds and not yet seen in the wild). The area also and record the remarkable wildlife and culture they saw. Their efforts will be You can obtain a free copy ofThe Condor, supports many Neotropical passerines, Studies in Avian Biology, Pacific Coast especially in montane forest areas. A published in a coffee-table book with both Avifauna and the Wilson Bulletin at consortium called “Forests without Borders – Spanish and English editions entitled http://elibrary.unm.edu/wilson/. The articles date from 1800 and on. Bosques Sin Fronteras” was formed to Treasures of the Forgotten Forest, which will combine efforts to conserve some of the be launched at the British Birdfair this August. In the meantime, to see examples of The NGO ALAS: Alianza para las Áreas critical sites in this long neglected but Silvestres (Alliance for the Wild Areas) is globally important region. In recognition of the work of some of the artists who took proud to announce the official launching of the area’s importance and in support of the part, please visit its webpage, aimed at being a link between http://wwwbrucepearson.info/content/fieldw people with a high interest in birds, consortium’s work, BirdLife has secured animals, plants and wild areas of more than US$1 million from the British ork.asp, www.anf-yb.nl/PROecuad.html or www.anf-yb.nl/ Nicaragua. If you like birds, you will Birdfair, World Parks Endowment, Nature definitely enjoy the amazing drawings by and Culture International and the Lottery For more information, please contact Ian Augusto Silva, which can be seen in the Fund to begin site-based conservation at six Nicaragua bird list in Davidson ([email protected]), http://www.avesnicaragua.org/ key Important Bird Areas (IBAs). To raise the Head Americas Division, BirdLife profile of this region, Artists for Nature International. The Biology Conservation Neo-tropical visited it in 2003, so a team of Bulletin Publisher in April 2004, can be world-renowned wildlife artists could paint read at http://www.conservationbiology.org/SCB/Pu blications/NeoCons/
(GXFDWLQJIRU%LUG/LIH As of May 2004, the “La Tangara” bulletin is The RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) has credibility of the organization and by available in PDF format at produced Educating for BirdLife, a booklet educating current and future http://www.latangara.org. aimed at staff and volunteers working within decision-makers. I hope this booklet will The book "Estimating Numbers of Terrestrial the education sector for BirdLife help staff and volunteers to develop their Birds," edited by C. John Ralph and J. organizations. It includes 19 case studies education programs for the benefit of Michael Scott, is available at from around the world that illustrate the conservation. If we can sow the seeds of http://www.blackburnpress.com/esnuoftebi. breadth and diversity of education projects conservation in young people today, the html and approaches used by NGOs and also future will be better for birds and You are welcome to visit the electronic includes a section with guidelines and ideas BirdLife.” magazine “El Huitzil” in the following for developing education work. The RSPB’s Copies of Educating for BirdLife can be website: http://www.huitzil.net Barrie Cooper, author of Educating for obtained from BirdLife’s Cambridge or BirdLife, says “Effective education is an regional offices, or from Barrie Cooper, important tool for BirdLife organizations. It RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL, can bring benefits through supporting UK. [email protected] conservation, raising the profile and Page 3 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 1HZV *#"TPGUIF5SPQJDBM"OEFTJOWFOUPSZ The Americas Regional Office tion International, Armonia in Bolivia, the launched the first inventory of Museum of Natural History in Peru, CECIA Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in in Ecuador, the Alexander von Humboldt the Tropical Andes during the Institute and ProAves in Colombia, and BirdLife World Conference last SCAV in Venezuela. Over the next six March. Data on species, habitats months, BirdLife will compile data on and the conservation status of Neotropical migrants throughout the 432 sites have been compiled Andes, and welcomes information from and are being entered into the interested individuals, tour companies and World Bird Database, a BirdLife institutions that have databases on these management tool used to species. The information will be used in analyze data on species and the preparation of conservation plans for sites. the highest priority sites for Neotropical migrants in the region. The preliminary IBA inventory will be used to identify and map For more information, please contact sites of greatest importance for Kerem Boyla migratory birds through a project ([email protected]), Scientific The Important Bird Areas of the Tropical Andes supported by the Neotropical Information Manager,, Americas Division, publication Migratory Bird Conservation Act BirdLife International. (NMBCA), in collaboration with Conserva- $POTFSWBUJPOBOENBOBHFNFOUPG4PVUI"NFSJDBhTTPVUIFSOHSBTTMBOET
The southern grasslands, located where BirdLife, through its Partners in Argen- the Amazonian and El Chaco habitats tina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, is merge in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and developing an alliance to help protect Uruguay, harbor more Globally Threat- the ecological integrity of the southern ened Birds (18) than any other grasslands cone grasslands. The alliance will in the Neotropics, three of them support the identification and documen- restricted to the Argentine Mesopota- tation of key biodiversity areas, it will mian Grasslands Endemic Bird Area devise ways so that productive areas at a (EBA). They also harbor many other regional level can be managed without birds, including rheas, tinamous, and a affecting their biodiversity, and it will variety of passerines. However, despite support other grassland conservation their importance there are few protected measures. areas, and the habitat is becoming increasingly fragmented, especially as For further information, please contact areas are converted to agricultural land. Rob Clay ([email protected]), Manager In Argentina, for example, more than of Science and Planning, Guyra two million hectares have been replaced Paraguay. by exotic trees, cattle and pastureland. Ecoregions of the Southern Cone #JSE-JGFHMPCBMmHVSFT BirdLife International... s Around a quarter of a million active s One million hectares of land owned or s BirdLife is present in more than 100 volunteers managed for conservation countries (currently 100 network countries s 2.5 billion press and media contacts s 3.5 million visitors to BirdLife reserves and nine country programs) annually (opportunities to read, hear or annually s Global membership more than 2.5 million watch BirdLife news) s s Global staff of 5,000 s 4.5 million children involved annually Page 4 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 1HZV %BSXJO/FU"DPOTFSWBUJPOJOJUJBUJWFGPS1FSVhT5VNCFTJBOSFHJPO The dry forests of south-western Ecuador with local communities and the govern- local communities. This will be achieved and north-western Peru—the Tumbesian ments of each country. In total, these through the development of a website to region—are some of the most threatened on organizations manage in collaboration with enable access to a Geographic Information earth, despite their biological richness and local people approximately 62,000 ha of System (GIS), databases and a virtual library high levels of endemism. Roughly 6,300 forests in private reserves that are home to on the region, the setting up of online plants are found in western Ecuador, of 14 Globally Threatened Bird species. discussion forums and holding meetings to which nearly 20% are endemic and the exchange experiences, the establishment of forests harbor some 800 bird species, Bosques Sin Fronteras, supported by offices in both countries and the publication including 84 restricted-range species. 253 Birdlife and the Darwin Foundation, is of a newsletter on the project’s activities. species of reptiles and amphibians include currently proposing a bi-national ecoregion- many species of frogs, 60% of them based Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) Overall, the initiative will raise awareness endemic. The increase in human activities called DarwinNet. This transboundary of the region's richness, and encourage has caused enormous pressure on the region initiative will co-ordinate the flow of conservation and sustainable use of its and a loss of thousands of forest hectares. information on sustainable development and biodiversity. conservation of the dry forests of Ecuador Bosques Sin Fronteras, a consortium of 11 and Peru between interested parties. It will For more information, please contact: conservation organizations from Ecuador encourage dialogue between international David Thomas at BirdLife International and Peru, including BirdLife, are working to development agencies, governmental and ([email protected]). protect the biological and cultural diversity non-governmental organizations, the of the Tumbesian Region in collaboration scientific community, local authorities and ,PSRUWDQW%LUG$UHDV3URJUDP &õFDUJWF$POTFSWBUJPOPG*#"TJO1BSBHVBZUIFDBTFPG4BO3BGBFM
private estates rearing and sustainable forestry. However, within San because these conservation conditions Rafael Reserve, lacked clear guidelines, the Alliance began -RVp/XLV&DUWHV patrolling and to buy land to establish a core conservation surveying, area of at least 10,000 ha to support the implementing reserve. Through this land-purchase scheme, conservation the first estate (Guyra Reta, 2,270 ha) was management purchased using funds from the Garfield actions, Foundation. Subsequently, the Alliance has establishing succeeded, with support from the Paraguay sustainable and Embassy in Washington D.C. and organic collaboration from the Paraguay Ministry of agricultural Foreign Affairs, plus outside donor support programs, and from the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature taking action Conservancy (TNC), the Many Hats against illegal Foundation, Conservation International and activities. Earth’s Birthday in securing the purchase of Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, in the San Rafael Reserve blocks of 104 and 1,250 ha, bringing the In 1997, San Rafael became the first San Rafael has been a protected area since total area purchased to date for the Paraguayan IBA declared, and has become 1992, but within it there are more than 50 long-term conservation of Paraguay's fist, an example of continuous and effective private properties that were never purchased and most important IBA to more than 3,600 conservation action. In 1999, Guyra and included within the reserve because of a ha. Paraguay (BirdLife in Paraguay) joined forces lack of government resources. In 2000 the with Pro Cosara, Natural Land Trust, Enlace protected area became a “Managed Rob Clay ([email protected]), Manager of and the Institute for Environmental Law and Resources Reserve”, meaning that Science and Planning and José Luis Cartes Economy through the Alliance for the land-owners within the reserve were allowed ([email protected]), Site Conservation Conservation of San Rafael, to co-ordinate to undertake activities that are considered Acting , Guyra Paraguay. their activities for the site. These included sustainable and of low ecological impact, the purchase of core conservation areas from such as organic agriculture, certified cattle %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV Page 5 ,PSRUWDQW%LUG$UHDV3URJUDP 1BSBHVBZBOOBUJPOBM*#"XPSLTIPQ Last August the first national workshop on 1. To organize a follow-up workshop to 5. To establish an IBA monitoring program ornithology, organized by Guyra Paraguay assess additional IBAs. using GIS technology. (BirdLife in Paraguay) took place, aimed at 2. To complete a national inventory of IBAs, 6. To take immediate steps to conserve the identifying the country's Important Bird including preliminary borders for each highest priority IBAs. Areas (IBAs). 42 such sites were recognized, area. 15 of them legally recognized by the 3. To include important data in BirdLife's These above ambitious goals reflect the government. Guyra Paraguay has active World Bird Database (WBDB) urgent need for conservation of Paraguay's conservation programs at 13 IBA sites, and 4. To collect and analyze information from IBAs. is supporting activities at a further 17. After experts on other forms of biodiversity to Rob Clay ([email protected]), Manager of the workshop, the following proposals were help identify key biodiversity areas and to Science and Planning and José Luis Cartes made: assess the level of overlap between IBAs ([email protected]), Site Conservation and places important for other taxa. Acting , Guyra Paraguay. 'JSTU$VCBO*#"XPSLTIPQ Americas Regional Office, assisted by Angelica Estrada and funded by the British Birdfair. More than 30 participants, representing the majority of Cuba's provinces attended, plus ornithologists from 11 of the most important institutions in the country and staff from protected areas.
A Consultative Committee to the Cuban IBA Program was formed and 35 potential IBAs identified, each with a person in charge of data collection. This workshop allowed those attending to gain a better understanding of BirdLife's IBA program, and to encourage them to contribute data to help bird conservation in the region. Participants in the First Cuban IBA workshop Lago, Sancti Spiritus, marking the official beginning of the IBA program in the Susana Aguilar, Cuban IBA Co-ordinator, The first national workshop on Important country. The event was organized by the National Center for Protected Areas (CNAP) Bird Areas (IBAs) took place in Cuba from National Center for Protected Areas ([email protected]) 2–6 February 2004 at Villa San José del (CNAP), and supported by the BirdLife 'VOETTFDVSFEGPSQSPUFDUJPOPGHSBTTMBOE*#"T Aves Uruguay (BirdLife in Uruguay) has seedeaters, Saffron-cowled Blackbird, secured US$29,000 from Fund for the Black-and-white Monjita and Sharp-tailed
*DEULHO5RFKD Americas for a project on Important Bird Areas Grass-Tyrant. Workshops will be held between (IBAs) in the grasslands bordering Argentina, in landowners, the authorities and local NGOs Rio Negro and Paysandú. The project, which on grassland conservation, and there will be began in March 2004, will last for 15 months educational environmental activities for local and will aim to establish agreements between communities. private landowners and the Ministry of Housing, Land and the Environment to secure Gabriel Rocha ([email protected]), conservation of these vital sites. Coordinator IBA Program, Aves Uruguay.
Aves Uruguay will monitor Globally Threatened Birds in the grasslands, including Saffron-cowled Blackbird, a vulnerable species found in the Uruguayan grassland Page 6 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 1HZVIURPWKH3DUWQHUVKLS #JSETPGUIF$POEPS.PVOUBJO3BOHF &DVBEPS in this part of Ecuador. The second expedition focused on the southern part of the Condor Range, specifically around La &KULV&DQDGD\ Canela, Zamora Chinchipe province. Several important nationally threatened birds were recorded, including Wattled Guan, White-necked Parakeet, Masked Saltator and Peruvian Antpitta. On the third expedition, in September, the presence in the area of the nominate race of Andean Tyrant, first reported by L. Navarrete y C. Canaday in December 2000, was confirmed. A female was seen collecting weeds at an altitude of 2,000 m, at the military base of Condor Mirador.
The border dispute between Ecuador and Peru has thankfully been settled, but the lowlands, in particular, are now threatened by agricultural expansion and the area must now be carefully protected to Cordillera del Cóndor and Nangaritza river $QDÈJUHGD conserve the many rare and restricted-range Peruvian Antpitta species it harbors, including Buckley's CECIA's (BirdLife in Ecuador) “Exploration of Warintz Shuar community and their Cotinga and Rufous-browed Tyrannulet. birds in the Condor Mountain Range, surroundings in Morona-Santiago province. Ana Ágreda ([email protected]), Ecuador” project is examining the avifauna Birds recorded included Bar-winged Cordillera del Cóndor Project Leader, of this region to identify the important areas Wood-wren, a species endemic to this Corporación Ornitológica del Ecuador for conservation. Data were gathered over region, and Pygmy Antwren, which, at 2,000 (CECIA). three years, ending in 2003 when three m, was at unusually high altitude for this expeditions took place to study habitats at lowland species that is normally found various altitudes within the Condor Range. below 700 m and is indicative of the The first of these, in March, visited the co-existence of Andean and Amazon species &OWJSPONFOUBMEFHSFFDPVSTFTJO"SHFOUJOB Naturalist or praising the warmth, dedication and Environmental Interpreter professional attitude of the teachers, and the Diploma. Students attend friendly atmosphere—particularly on field (GXDUGR+DHQH 16 classes on each trips. 11 graduates received diplomas, and subject, and are required the three students with the best grades were to perform a practical awarded Eduardo Ladislao Holmberg task too, either in a Awards, named after the outstanding laboratory or museum or Argentinean naturalist, Holmberg. Two of in a nature reserve. In the graduates—a volunteer working at the July and September, each Ribera Norte Educational Refuge (San Isidro) student is encouraged to and an employee at the La Plata Municipal participate in a two-day Ecological Park—received scholarships to field workshop close to work on an urban natural reserves project, Buenos Aires. which Aves Argentinas is undertaking in Graduates, November, 2003 conjunction with AVINA. Aves Argentinas (BirdLife in Argentina) has, In 2003, 119 students studied for a as its main educational project, been Diploma, taking an average of two subjects Eduardo Haene offering an environmental degree course each. Almost 80 people went to a farewell ([email protected]), Director of through the Argentina Naturalists School party to celebrate the end of the school year, Environmental Education, Aves since 1989. Students have to pass 16 including teachers, students and graduates’ Argentinas/AOP. subjects to be awarded either a Field relatives where students made speeches Page 7 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 1HZVIURPWKH3DUWQHUVKLS &SJPDOFNJTQSPKFDUFOUFSTTFDPOETUBHF have begun the second stage volcanoes and the Guayllabamba valley, of their Eriocnemis project on particularly in trying to identify and two Eriocnemis conserve those places used by the birds hummingbirds species, the during their altitudinal migrations. Black-breasted and Turquoise-throated Pufflegs. For more information on the project, CECIA has spent the last please contact Juan Fernando Freile and eight years gathering Gabriela Castañeda, Fundación Numashir biological data on the para la Conservación de Ecosistemas Black-breasted Puffleg, Amenazados, [email protected], which is Critically [email protected] or Tatiana Endangered and confined to Santander and Markus Tellkamp, Pichincha province, close to Fundación Ornitológica del the capital, Quito, in areas Ecuador-CECIA, [email protected]
Francisco Sornoza Francisco seriously affected by natural habitat loss through Black-breasted Puffleg deforestation, agricultural expansion and urbanisation. Now CECIA (BirdLife in Ecuador) and the the project will focus on trying to locate Numashir Foundation for the this species in other areas around the Conservation of Threatened Ecosystems Pichincha, Atacazo and Pululahua
#JSE-JGFBOE$&1'UBLFBDUJPOGPS#SB[JMhT"UMBOUJD'PSFTUT management and monitoring efforts, and strategic land purchases.
Working with local partners, BirdLife is already supporting on-the-ground site conservation work at Murici and Serra das Lontras, two of the 15 highest priority Important Bird Areas (IBAs), out of a total of 161, identified by BirdLife in conjunction with the Fundacao Zoobotanicado Rio Grande do Sul (FZBRS). 104 Globally Threatened Birds are known from Brazil's Atlantic Forest region, where less than 8% of the original forest remains, mostly in scattered remnants across the landscape.
Jaqueline M. Goerck Jaqueline For more information on BirdLife's Brazil Program, please contact [email protected].
Atlantic Forest in Serra das Lontras, Brazil Pindobas IV (Espirito Santo), Restinga de * CEPF is a partnership of Conservation Macambaba/Cabo Frio (Rio de Janeiro) and International, the World Bank, the GEF and BirdLife has joined forces with the Critical Serra das Bocaina/Paraty/Angra dos Reis the MacArthur Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)* to (Rio de Janeiro/Sao Paulo). Conservation begin site conservation work at six sites in efforts will include helping local people Brazil's highly threatened Atlantic Forests: establish and manage Site Support Groups, Boa Nova (Bahia), Serra da support for alternative and sustainable Ouricana,Valenca (Bahia), Fezenda agricultural practices, training in forest Page 8 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 1HZVIURPWKH3DUWQHUVKLS #14JMWFS"XBSEGPS"SBSJQF.BOBLJO A BP Silver Award of US$10,000 has been environmental quality. Like other manakins, land-use in the area will be gathered, to given for a project to study the Araripe the species has a complex breeding assess the threats and most appropriate Manakin, a recently discovered, highly behavior, with males performing courtship conservation measures for this species. threatened species in eastern Brazil. displays at communal leks. Preliminary Successful protection of the manikin's surveys have shown that the region has been habitat is essential to protect this important First described in 1998, the Araripe under intense human pressure in recent watershed and much of the chapada’s Manakin is Critically Endangered and years. Because of its cool climate, it is unique and threatened biodiversity. numbers fewer than 250 individuals living popular with holiday makers, and the type on the slopes of the Chapada do Araripe, locality has even been converted into a Ceará state, one of the 16 highest priority recreational park, where the natural pools David Wege ([email protected]). Atlantic Forest Important Bird Areas (IBAs) attract many visitors. The present study will del Caribbean Program Manager, BirdLife identified by the joint BirdLife Brazil, investigate the distribution and ecological International. Fundacao Zoobotanicado Rio Grande do Sul requirements of the Araripe Manakin by (FZBRS) IBA program. The manakin is systematically visiting the chapada's most apparently closely associated with water significant natural springs throughout the springs, and is therefore a good indicator of year, and information on ownership and 1BSBHVBZJOTFBSDIPGPVSOBUJPOBMCJSE
In late 2002, Guyra Paraguay took place throughout Paraguay, including (BirdLife in Paraguay), with the gathering of 3,624 signatures supporting the support of the Environ- the bellbird's nomination as the national ment Secretary and with bird, 20 workshops covering aspects of the support from the Peace biological and cultural importance of the Corps, launched a campaign bellbird, along with many exhibitions, entitled “In the search of our presentations, contests and other events. On national bird” The aim was to 10 March 2004, an event was held at the have the Bare-throated National Congress, and a petition of 3,500 Bellbird, an emblematic signatures from those committed to the species in Paraguay known conservation of Paraguay’s biological locally as the Guarani diversity presented. Now, Congress can pass (Paraguay’s native language), an Act to have the Bare-throated Bellbird and with deep roots in local declared Paraguay’s national bird, and the culture, declared as Commission for Natural Resources is drafting Paraguay's national bird. legislation to this effect.
The campaign was also Elizabeth Cabrera ([email protected]), aimed at raising awareness Guyra Paraguay. among young people about 'RULV,QVIUiQ bird conservation and the importance of protecting biological diversity. Activities Bare-throated Bellbird (Procnias nudico- llis) "WFT6SVHVBZSFDFJWFT#1"XBSE A joint project between university students experiences with Aves Argentinas (BirdLife and Aves Uruguay (BirdLife in Uruguay) has in Argentina), which is also studying the received a 2004 BP Award to survey and birds of this highly threatened grassland study threatened grasslands birds. habitats.
The students in charge of the project will Gabriel Rocha ([email protected]), be offered technical support by Aves Aves Uruguay. Uruguay, and will be able to meet and share Page 9 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 7KH$PHULFDVZRUNLQJIRUELUGV« 0SJFOUBM$FOUFSPG&DPTZTUFNTBOE#JPEJWFSTJUZ #*0&$0 PQFOTJO$VCB In February 2004, the Oriental Center of of Chicago, the MacArthur Foundation, from the Ministry of Science, Technology Ecosystems and Biodiversity (BIOECO) Cornell University's Maculay Natural and Environment in Santiago de Cuba, and opened its doors in Santiago de Cuba. The Sounds Laboratory and the Cuban IBA Miguel Abad, Director of BIOECO and the Center includes the Juan Cristóbal Program. The National Center for Protected Director of the National Center for Bird Gundlach Natural Sounds Laboratory, the Birds was in charge of setting up the Center, Protection. BIOECO's new sounds first of its kind in the country, where and received funding from the British laboratory accepts contributions from examples of Cuba's fauna will be stored for Birdfair. similar institutions or laboratories around research and educational purposes. It the world. already has a database of digitalized sounds The laboratory was opened by Devorah of Cuban birds and amphibians, which are Moskovitz, an ornithologist from the Field Freddy Rodríguez Santana currently being processed. Museum, and Gregory Budney, sound ([email protected]), Centro curator of Cornell University's Maculay Oriental de Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad, The creation of the Center came about Natural Sound Laboratory. Other dignitaries Cuba. thanks to the support of the Field Museum attending included Nicasio Viña Dávila #JPEJWFSTJUZDPOTFSWBUJPOQSPNPUFEJO(VZBOB ties, local authorities, international and the recommendations of more than 100 local NGOs, and scientists work together to workshop participants. identify priority areas to be protected and how to meet the needs of the area sustaina- In March 2004 the Guyana Shield The Guyana region bly. Initiative completed the first stage of the project, thanks to support from the Nether- In 2002, the GSI held a Guayana Shield lands Committee of IUCN (NC-IUCN), and conservation priority-setting workshop, in funds from DGIS. The first phase included Paramaribo, Surinam. It was co-sponsored the preparation of a proposal to the Global by Conservation International (CI), the Environment Facility (GEF) to obtain funds United Nations Development Program for the region and a workshop to establish (UNDP) and the World Conservation Union regional priorities and to assess the opportu- (IUCN). Participants included more than nities for sustainable activities such as the 100 experts on the region’s biodiversity and development of carbon capture programs, specialists in socio-economics. Their forest products not sourced from timber, conclusions were published in 2003 in sustainable timber production and Priorities for the conservation of the Guyana ecotourism projects. region, and included a map showing the region’s biodiversity, socio-economic pressures and conservation possibilities. Attendees assessed possible implications of For more information, please visit The Guyana region, which includes www.guianashield.org/ie/index.htm or Guyana, Surinam, French Guyana and parts future socio-economic pressure on biodiver- sity, and established conservation priorities contact Mathew Foster of Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, has the ([email protected]) world’s highest percentage of intact tropical at a regional level based on biological rainforest, more than 25% of the world's priorities and the threat level affecting the remaining total. The area is also known for region. Biologically important areas where its high level of endemism—of 20,000 identified based upon the variety of animal vascular plant species catalogued, around species, endemism, important ecological 35% are endemic. The region also has processes and other biological criteria. many ecosystems, some of them unique, Outputs from the workshop included a like the tepuis. Human cultural diversity is commitment by UNDP to assist the high too, with at least 100 Amerindian establishment of a Policy Level Network groups spread throughout the region. among the countries of the region, the signing of the Paramaribo Declaration, The Guyana Shield Initiative (GSI) is a which contains a detailed list of recommen- long-term project aimed at sponsoring ded actions for conservation in the area, conservation and promoting sustainable and a technical report entitled The Guyana development in this area. Local communi- region – a global priority, which includes Page 10 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 1HZVIURPWKHUHJLRQ
&DQDGD 0LFKDHO%UDGVWUHHWUHFHLYHV%LUG/LIHDZDUG "IRD,IFE HAS PRESENTED SEVERAL AWARDS THAT RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 8QLWHG6WDWHV 8QLWHG6WDWHV INCLUDING ONE TO "IRD 3TUDIES #ANADAS "IRD,IFE IN #ANADA $XGXERQ¶V%LUGVRI$PHULFDDYDLODEOH -ICHAEL "RADSTREET 4HE #ONSERVATION !CHIEVEMENT RQWKHZHE !WARDS WERE PRESENTED AT A CEREMONY THAT TOOK PLACE AT !UDUBON "IRD,IFE IN THE 53 IS NOW "IRD,IFES 7ORLD #ONFERENCE IN $URBAN 3OUTH !FRICA THIS HOSTING *OHN *AMES !UDUBONgS "IRDS OF -ARCH 3INCE -ICHAEL "RADSTREET HAS BEEN THE !MERICA ON THE WEB 4HE IMAGES AND TEXT %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR OF ,ONG 0OINT "IRD /BSERVATORY AND FROM AN EDITION OF THE SEVEN VOLUME SUBSEQUENTLY OF "IRD 3TUDIES #ANADA 5NDER HIS LEADERSHIP SET OF THIS MAGNIFICENT WORK ARE NOW THE OBSERVATORY HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WITH INTERNET ACCESS #ANADIAN WIDE BIRD RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION 4HEY PROVIDE AN INSIGHT INTO *OHN *AMES ORGANIZATION !UDUBONTHE MAN THE ARTIST AND THE CONSERVATIONISTAND SHOULD HELP FOSTER A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE .ATIONAL !UDUBON 3OCIETY AND INSPIRE NEW AND RENEWED CONSERVATION EFFORTS 0LEASE VISIT WWWAUDUBONORGBIRD"O!"/!?INDEXHTML 'RPLQLFDQ5HSXEOLF ,%$VSURSRVHG )MPORTANT "IRD !REAS )"!S HAVE BEEN PROPOSED IN THE $OMINICAN 2EPUBLIC ALTHOUGH THE IDENTIFICATION PROCESS IS STILL UNDERWAY WITH INFORMATION ON BOUNDARIES 3DQDPD 3DQDPD$XGXERQ VFKDLUSHUVRQMRLQV:DWHUELUG LOCATION ALTITUDE CHARACTERISTICS ACCESSIBI &RQVHUYDWLRQ&RXQFLO LITY AND THREATS TO THE SITES BEING COMPILED 4HE *ARAGUA 'ROUP IS PROPOSING TO SET UP A 2OSABEL -IRØ#HAIRPERSON OF 0ANAMA !UDUBON 3OCIETY 3ITE 3UPPORT 'ROUP "IRD,IFE IN 0ANAMA HAS JOINED THE 7ATERBIRD #ONSERVATION #OUNCIL WHICH MET RECENTLY IN +EY ,ARGO &LORIDA 53! 4HE &OR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT #OUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CO ORDINATION AND PROVIDING SUPPORT JARAGUA TRICOMNET AND INFORMATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE .ORTH !MERICA 7ATER "IRDS #ONSERVATION 0LAN .!7#0 /THER MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE "IRD,IFE 53&73 -ANOMET #ENTER FOR #ONSERVATION 3CIENCES !MERICAN "IRD #ONSERVANCY #ANADIAN 7ILDLIFE 3ERVICE AND 4HE .ATURE #ONSERVANCY &OR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT 2OSABEL -IRØ ROSABELMIRO MACCOM
(FXDGRU3HUX %RRNWRVXSSRUWFRQVHUYDWLRQRI WKH7XPEHVLDQUHJLRQ "IRD,IFEgS !MERICAS 2EGIONAL /FFICE IS ASSISTING WITH THE PUBLICATION OF 4REASURES OF THE &ORGOTTEN &OREST A BOOK FEATURING THE ARTWORK RESULTING FROM TWO VISITS TO THE 4UMBESIAN REGION BY THE !RTISTS FOR .ATURE &OUNDATION WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF RAISING LOCAL AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REGION FOR CONSERVATION 8UXJXD\ )XQGRIWKH$PHULFDVVXSSRUWIRU &OR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT )AN $AVIDSON $YHV8UXJXD\ )AN$AVIDSON BIRDLIFEORGEC &UND OF THE !MERICAS HAS DONATED 53 TO !VES 5RUGUAY "IRD,IFE IN 5RUGUAY FOR A PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL CAPACITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF GRASSLANDS IN THE )MPORTANT "IRD !REAS )"!S OF 2ÓO .EGRO AND 0AYSANDÞ 5RUGUAY 4HE MONEY WILL ALSO HELP SUPPORT THE INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF !VES $UJHQWLQD %LUGJXLGHDYDLODEOH 5RUGUAY WHO FOR THE FIRST TIME WILL EMPLOY TWO $ONgT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO PURCHASE THE 'UIDE TO STAFF MEMBERS AN %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR AND AN THE BIRDS OF !RGENTINA AND 5RUGUAY &OR FURTHER %XECUTIVE !SSISTANT FOR AT LEAST MONTHS 4HEY DETAILS CONTACT INFO AVESARGENTINASORGAR WILL WORK WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF 3AN *AVIER 9OUNG .UEVO "ERLIN &RAY "ENTOS 'UICHON ,ORENZO 'UEYRES AND 0AYSANDÞ AND 'ABRIEL 2OCHA WILL BE APPOINTED AS THE PROJECTS OVERALL CO ORDINATOR -ORE INFORMATION FROM ELAENIA ADINETCOMUY Page 11 %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 2SSRUWXQLWLHV 6QDPNJOH&WFOUTBOE.FFUJOHT Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (22 Fourth annual conference on Important aims to awaken people’s awareness of the April–22 May 2004) Bird Areas, Arizona, USA, (11–15 August importance of conservation and the The Society for the Conservation and Study 2004) protection of birds and their habitats. The of Caribbean Birds is raising awareness of This conference will be a good opportunity Festival has been celebrated every October the unique bird fauna of the Caribbean to exchange ideas on the IBAs Program. For since 1993. Each year a theme is chosen, through an annual Caribbean Endemic Bird more information, please contact Connie and this year it will be “Linking People to Festival. Naturalist hikes, lectures, Sanchez ([email protected]), or visit Birds”. Should you wish to join the network photography exhibitions and other activities www.audubon.org/bird/iba/conference.html of more than 70 organizations that celebrate are part of the Festival, all focused on this annual Festival, please email endemic bird species. In 2004 the Festival Third international conference on [email protected] runs from 22 April (Earth Day) until 22 May albatrosses and petrels, Montevideo, (Biodiversity International Day). More than Uruguay, (23–27August 2004) Nineteenth international zoology 1,000 people from seven countries More information can be found at conference, Beijing, China, (23–27 August participated in the festival in 2003. This year, http://www.iapc2004.com 2004) activities will be organized in every island For more information or to register, please /country in the Caribbean by local 2004 World Bird Festival “Linking People to visit www.icz.ioz.ac.cn or email committees and allied organizations. For Birds”, worldwide, (October 2004) [email protected] further information, please contact Adrianne BirdLife is inviting everyone and every G. Tossas, Festival Co-ordinator organization to participate in the 2004 ([email protected]). World Bird Festival. This educational event 5SBJOJOH 3"3&1SPHSBN1SPNPUJOHQSPUFDUJPOUISPVHIQSJEF coast of Ecuador and Brazil—and now to Sierra Leone, South What does a puppet show, rap videos and two-meter high Africa and even China. To learn more about the RARE program flamingo costumes have to do with bird conservation? Well, the and how you can help bird conservation, please email answer is a lot! The RARE program's "Promoting conservation [email protected] or visit www.rareconservation.org, or through pride” uses techniques like this to reach a particular call Megan Hill at Rare, tel. 703-522-5070. target audience who are crucial to bird conservation throughout the Americas—from the Caribbean to Mexico, Guatemala, the
'VOEJOH #1$POTFSWBUJPO1SPHSBN US$75,000 to work with threatened bird species in the country; The BP Conservation Program seeks to develop young Aves Uruguay won US$7,500 for conservation of threatened conservation professionals. Originally established as a birds in the grasslands of Uruguay; and the Brazil Program partnership between BirdLife and BP, today the Program is still received US$9,500 for the conservation of the Araripe Manakin, funded by BP and supported by four environmental conservation a Critically Endangered species from the lowland Brazil. organisations: BirdLife, Fauna & Flora International (FFI), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Conservation If you wish to apply for a BP Program Award, you will need to International (CI). fill out the application form and submit it by 31 October. More information can be found at Each year, the Program makes Awards of up to US$75,000 to http://conservation.bp.com/applications/default.asp, and support students groups in their fieldwork. To help them, BP runs application guidelines are at training workshops where leaders can learn all aspects of how to http://conservation.bp.com/pdfs/Guidelines%202004.doc run an expedition. This year, 29 teams working on a variety of species and environmental issues from 23 countries received more than US$600,000 through the Program. In May 2004, a representative of each team visited the UK for a three-week training course, and the opportunity to exchange experiences %FBEMJOF0DUPCFS with the other participants and conservation experts. This year, nine projects from the Americas and the Caribbean received a BP Award, three of them to organizations within the BirdLife Partnership: Asociacion Armonia from Bolivia received %LUG/LIHLQWKH$PHULFDV 7KH$PHULFDQ3DUWQHUVKLS
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