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Experts
Meet to Discuss Shorebird Conservation
Audubon Newswire
Shorebirds are one of the most migratory groups of animals on the
planet. Of 51 species that breed in northern North America, 78%
winter in countries other than the U.S. or Canada. Many of these
international globetrotters travel over 5,000 miles each year on
their round-trip journey to and from the nesting grounds. During
these twice-annual migrations, shorebirds can congregate in flocks
that number in the millions. On February 22–25, shorebird
experts nationwide will be migrating to Galveston, Texas, to share
their knowledge and experience in implementing the U.S. Shorebird
Conservation Plan (Shorebird Plan).
The Shorebird Plan is a partnership effort that strives to maintain
stable and self-sustaining shorebird populations by enhancing environmental
stewardship on public, private, and tribal lands. It is a scientific
framework that identifies shorebird species populations, key habitats
and sites, and communication strategies to enhance cooperative conservation
through diverse partnerships. Given the variety of wetland, grassland,
and beach habitats that shorebirds use, the Shorebird Plan brings
everyone to the table.
Over the last five years, shorebird conservationists have been
working with federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations,
and private landowners to improve the conservation status of shorebirds.
Progress on habitat management, monitoring, outreach, and international
partnership building will be presented at the meeting, and discussion
groups will focus on developing future conservation strategies.
All perspectives are welcomed in outlining a shorebird conservation
agenda for the next five years.
A variety of information, including regional conservation plans,
lists of priority species, monitoring strategies, and habitat management
guidelines, can be accessed on the Shorebird Plan’s Web site
at http://shorebirdplan.fws.gov.
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