Winter 2018-2019 Edition
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BIRDCONSERVATION The Magazine of American Bird Conservancy WINTER 2018-2019 BIRD’S EYE VIEW Scaling Up Migratory Bird ABC is dedicated to conserving birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. With an emphasis on Conservation: A New Approach? achieving results and working in partnership, we take on the greatest hile there is more to be philanthropic or government problems facing birds today, innovating learned about the threats funding to turn the situation and building on rapid advancements facing many species of around. ABC is piloting a program W in science to halt extinctions, protect migratory birds, we already know in Guatemala that provides bridge habitats, eliminate threats, and build Winter 2018-2019 enough to target conservation funding for landowners to move capacity for bird conservation. work in ways that will help some from virtually sterile pasture to of the fastest-declining species. shady, bird-rich chocolate, black BIRDCONSERVATION For example, species such as the pepper, cardamom, and ma- A copy of the current financial statement and Wood Thrush and Long-billed hogany plantations — in places registration filed by the organization may be obtained by contacting: ABC, P.O. Box 249, Curlew face habitat loss and that provide excellent habitat for The Plains, VA 20198. 540-253-5780, or by 12 New Reserve Is a Rare Macaw’s degradation on both breeding long-distance migrants such as the contacting the following state agencies: and wintering grounds, across Wood Thrush. Florida: Division of Consumer Services, Promising Nest Egg large areas of habitat. toll-free number within the state: By piloting test projects like this, 800-435-7352. Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage: How can we deliver conservation ABC hopes to learn how to de- Office of the Secretary of State, Statehouse, 18 Keeping Whooping Cranes Away at a scale that will turn their popu- velop a bird-friendly agroforestry Annapolis, MD 21401. lations around? We will ultimately operation with the potential to New Jersey: Attorney General, State from Powerlines in Kansas of New Jersey: 201-504-6259. need to positively influence mil- generate returns for investors, New York: Office of the Attorney General, lions of acres of land through and which also provides proof Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Casting for “Lost Species”… conservation and restoration. In of concept on the financial, le- 23 What if bird Pennsylvania: Department of State, the United States, we have some gal, and logistical protocols that toll-free number within the state: and Finding Them programs, including Farm Bill con- conservation could larger investors would expect. ABC 800-732-0999. Virginia: State Division of Consumer Affairs, servation incentives, that are large recently signed its first contract generate revenue? Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, enough to significantly influence to support a habitat restoration P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209. 27 Kirtland’s Warbler: Recovery, bird populations at scale. Outside project designed to pay us back West Virginia: Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. and Caution the U.S., though, few programs with interest. In our case, we will Registration does not imply endorsement, provide dedicated funds for migra- Curlews, later selling their top- reinvest in more habitat protec- approval, or recommendation by any state. tory birds, and Latin American tion. What would you do? Are you quality beef at a premium. Bird Conservation is the magazine of ABC and governments are often already at intrigued? If you are, please watch is published three times yearly for members. DEPARTMENTS I have already seen some small- full stretch trying to conserve their this space, as I will report further Senior Editor: Howard Youth Bird’s Eye View existing parks and other protected scale “bird and business ventures” on what we discover! VP of Communications: Clare Nielsen 2 areas. first hand, and ABC is now work- Graphic Design: Gemma Radko ing with landowners to develop Thank you for supporting and Contributors: David Ewert, Bennett 4 On the Wire But what if bird conservation pilot projects that could be taken partnering with ABC. Hennessey, Steve Holmer, Daniel Lebbin, Bryan Lenz, Amelia McQueen, Jack could generate revenue? ABC staff to scale. But can we step it up a Morrison, Merrie Morrison, Michael J. Parr, 7 Species Profile are piloting a new approach to notch or two beyond this? What if Chris Sheppard, Grant Sizemore, Amy Upgren, David Wiedenfeld, Wendy Willis habitat restoration to see if we can we were to encourage investment 10 Birds in Brief actually generate revenue from in such projects by private capital: For more information contact: 30 Final Glimpse bird-friendly habitat management. funding habitat restoration and American Bird Conservancy The flashy Nacunda Nighthawk can be seen at several For example, a North Dakota getting paid back with interest? 4249 Loudoun Avenue, P.O. Box 249 ABC-supported reserves, including Bolivia’s Barba Azul. The Plains, VA 20198 Photo by Greg Lavaty ranching family might choose to In Central America, where many 540-253-5780 • [email protected] move their herd around the ranch, of our migrant songbirds winter, helping to create a diverse grass- forest loss is severe, and we know Michael J. Parr, President Join us online! land for Bobolinks and Long-billed there is not currently enough American Bird Conservancy TOP: Blue-throated Macaws by Sebastian Herzog COVER: Whooping Crane by Michael J. Parr abcbirds.org TOP: Don Francisco Lopez, a Guatemalan landowner experimenting with a more bird-friendly approach to farming (black pepper, in this case) with the help of ABC and local partners. Photo by Michael J. Parr, August 2016 BIRD CONSERVATION | WINTER 2018-2019 3 ON the WIRE Welcome News for Jones Beach Piping Plovers First Protected Area for Brazil’s ollowing an August 4, court- in the park will be humanely Gray-breasted Parakeet ordered settlement, Piping trapped and removed. FPlovers at Jones Beach State Park in New York will now be ABC President Mike Parr says, n August 17, the Ceará state government protected from feral cats. In March “We are delighted to reach this established the 97-acre Cara-Suja Refuge 2016, ABC filed a lawsuit to protect agreement. By removing the cat in the heart of the Baturité Mountains in O the birds, alleging a violation of colonies, New York State Parks has northeastern Brazil. Cara-Suja (“dirty face”) is the the Endangered Species Act (ESA) ensured a much safer environment Portuguese name for the Gray-breasted Parakeet, an by the New York State Office of for the plovers to help them nest Endangered, extremely localized species confined to a Parks, Recreation, and Historic successfully in the future.” few upland forests in northeastern Brazil. Preservation for facilitating feral Piping Plovers nest on open sand cat colonies near Piping Plover The creation of this conservation area is the just above the beach tideline and nest sites within the park. culmination of a decade of conservation work by are vulnerable to disturbance and Piping Plovers are now safe from feral cats at Jones ABC’s Brazilian partner Aquasis. The refuge will house Beach, New York. Photo by Matt Filosa, Shutterstock The settlement dictates that all cats predation. The Atlantic Coast an Aquasis administration office and an interpretation living within Jones Beach State population is listed as Threatened center, while at the gate will sit an environmental If you know of feral cat colonies Park will be humanely trapped and under the ESA and as Endangered police office. on the New York state list. threatening endangered species removed to a sanctuary by March in public parks, please contact 31, 2019. If necessary, a limited Located in isolated mountains rising from a large ABC is grateful to the Goodwin ABC’s Director of Invasive Species number will temporarily live area of dry forest called the Caatinga, 60 percent of Procter law firm, which handled Programs Grant Sizemore at within a fenced enclosure inside the reserve is covered by an unusual combination this case on a pro bono basis. [email protected]. of Atlantic and Amazonian forest. The remaining the park. Any new cats appearing 40 percent consists of open areas targeted for reforestation. The reserve protects not only the Gray- global AZE, which, led by ABC, breasted Parakeet, but also the Spot-winged Wood- Brazil First to Enact a National Decree brings together more than 90 Quail, the isolated Baturité population of Gould’s on Alliance for Zero Extinction Strategy nongovernmental biodiversity Toucanet, and other wildlife. Brazilian partner Aquasis will manage the new refuge for the Endangered Gray-breasted Parakeet in northeastern Brazil. conservation organizations and sites holding the last known Aquasis will sign a long-term management agreement Photo courtesy of Aquasis razil has become the engages with governments, populations of highly threatened with local authorities to manage the refuge, including world’s first nation to multilateral institutions, and the species. In July, the Ministry of conducting educational trips for local school children. Badopt a national policy on private sector. ABC has worked with the Alliance for Zero Extinction Environment of Brazil published partners in both government and ABC supported the Aquasis Gray-breasted Parakeet (AZE), which identifies and maps an ordinance recognizing AZE sites nonprofit organizations in Brazil educational program, and, in 2018, helped to purchase as an official tool to implement on AZE conservation, and looks a vehicle that will enable staff to access remote areas national policies for saving the forward to continued collaborations as the Gray-breasted Parakeet population expands. country’s most imperiled species. to advance AZE site protection in Brazil and throughout the The main threats to the Gray-breasted Parakeet are Brazil is home to nearly 150 critical Americas.