Taking Flight

Transcription

1 Taking Flight

2 Southern Wings Created in 2009, the Southern Wings Program provides a mechanism to facilitate partnerships between state fish and wildlife agencies and partners in Mexico, Central, South America and the Caribbean towards the goal of improving conservation for neotropical migratory bird species throughout their full annual cycle. Modeled after state involvement in Canada through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Southern Wings sets the stage for international collaboration by bringing state fish and wildlife agencies together with colleagues beyond our national borders to generate shared benefits for state priority migrant species. In the Program s first three years, state agencies have contributed over $300,000 USD and $557,000 of in-kind contributions Why Southern Wings? According to the 2006 National Survey, bird watching is a $31 billion-ayear industry. Full Life Cycle Conservation protects domestic investment in migratory species. Successful conservation requires actions throughout the full annual life cycle. with an additional $226,000 in state-level U.S. partner contributions. All state contributions are matched at a minimum of 100% by non-state funds before directly supporting on-the-ground projects. Southern Wings has demonstrated clear successes in protecting and managing crucial wintering habitat for priority species including Cerulean, Golden-winged and Prothonotary Warbler, Bicknell s and Wood Thrush, as well as a suite of grassland birds including Long-Billed Curlew and Mountain Plover. Full Life-Cycle Conservation Neotropical birds face unique conservation challenges that inherently require international collaboration to overcome. Greatest among these threats is loss of habitat, which often encompasses several habitats and span multiple countries and The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of neotropical migratory birds, many of which are state priority species for conservation. continents for individual species. Conservation efforts focused solely on the U.S. breeding habitats for these birds cannot effectively halt the population declines displayed by many neotropical migrants. As neotropical migrants are often more concentrated on their wintering grounds, threats to these areas can have a disproportional impact on species overall viability. Because funding typically goes further in the wintering grounds, state wildlife agencies have an opportunity to positively impact these species in a cost-effective manner by aiding projects in other countries. Habitat conservation and

3 management throughout the full annual cycle of birds, including many of the states priority species, are a prerequisite for ensuring that in-state conservation investments are protected and effective. Program Successes From , 12 state agencies plus the 13 member states of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies have participated in the Southern Wings Program, contributing more than $300,000 to conservation projects in six countries. Nearly $800,000 were contributed to match state agency dollars and additional partner contributions put towards the projects by non-state partners including host-country governments and NGOs were over 1.1 Million. This ratio far exceeds Southern Wings goal of at least 1:1 matches for all state contributions. In addition, six of the eight Southern Wings projects are paired with Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grants, which require a 3:1 match on all funds. All state funds are used at sites that have been identified as critical habitats for priority neotropical migrants, with each collaboration designed to have a direct linkage and positive impact on one or more state priority species. Funds are used for a variety of strategies depending on the needs of particular species and habitats, ranging from land purchases and habitat restoration projects to education, training and outreach programs. On-site work is carried out by our partner organizations, which are selected based on their experience and positive record of working in a specific region. Our partners include the American Bird Conservancy, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, ProAves, Pronatura, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Audubon Society chapters, Osa Conservation and many other leaders in the field of international bird conservation. State Agencies Participating in Southern Wings

4 Project Spotlight: Mexico s Chihuahuan Grasslands Grasslands are North America s fastest declining habitat. The Chihuahuan grasslands of northern Mexico are used by more than 75% of U.S. Grassland species including Brewer s Sparrow, Mountain Plover and Long-billed Curlew. Southern Wings funding supported the creation of two conservations easements, totaling 66,000 acres, through partnerships with local farming communities (ejidos). Partners: Oklahoma, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Pronatura Noreste A.C., Universidad Autónomo de Nuevo León. Protecting Costa Rica s Osa Peninsula Conservation Status Costa Rica s Osa Peninsula is the crown jewel of the nation s incredibly biodiverse ecosystems. In addition to being one of the largest tracts of lowland rainforest left on the Pacific coast of Central America, it contains the most extensive wetland and mangrove system in the region. The Osa Peninsula is home to more than 450 species of birds, including over 150 species of neotropical migrants. The mangrove systems along the Pacific coast are critical habitats for multiple species of conservation priority in the U.S., including Prothonotary Warbler and Northern Waterthrush. The Peninsula also contains other species of conservation priority, including Wood Thrush, that are considered winter-limited, making the protection of this and other portions of the wintering habitat a high priority. Partners Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Iowa Department of Natural Resources Osa Conservation American Bird Conservancy Osa Rainforest. Photo Credit: R. Stanley The Osa Peninsula s status as a functional ecosystem presents a unique opportunity to protect one of the last large tracts of tropical forest in Central America. The Peninsula contains several protected areas, including the famous Corcovado National Park, but the critical regions that lie between them and act as corridors for wildlife are under increasing threats from development, agriculture and natural resource extraction.

5 Project Description The ultimate vision for connectivity is a continuous corridor from Cabo Matapalo, the Peninsula s southern tip, through Corcovado National Park, connecting to Piedras Blancas National Park on the mainland. This work includes not only land acquisition, but also the development of infrastructure to ensure that long-term protection and monitoring continues in the future. Southern Wings $78,000 Contributions Matched Funds - $152,340 Results High land prices can make large purchases in the region challenging, but Southern Wings and its host country partners recognized an opportunity to provide support to a previously unrealized conservation opportunity, the Lomas de Sierpe Reserve, in order to maximize their positive impact. While the property, part of a corridor between the two national parks, was previously designated as a protected area the lack of adequate funding and resources placed it at risk by unregulated and illegal usage. Southern Wings funds purchased equipment and vehicles, hired a manager and several guards and funded the construction of onsite staff housing, all of which ensures this 1,600 acre property is not compromised by logging or other illegal resource extraction. Southern Wings funding has also supported the site s first bird surveys, which yielded more than 100 species, 13 of which were neotropical migrants including Broad-winged Hawks and Chestnut-sided Warblers. This baseline information is critical for future conservation planning and management. Ongoing support from Southern Wings will ensure the Osa Peninsula continues to provide important wintering habitat for migratory birds. Southern Wings and its Costa Rican partners recognized the opportunity to channel funding to an existing, poorly managed protected area, the 1,600 acre Lomas de Sierpe, in order to maximize their positive impact for more than 100 species of birds. Osa Peninsula Rainforest. Photo Credit: R. Stanley

6 Creating a Cerulean Warbler Conservation Corridor in Colombia Conservation Status Cerulean Warblers have lost an estimated 60% of their winter habitat, which consists of montane forests in the northern Andes Mountains that face increasing pressures from land-use conversion. Several reserves in central Colombia, including the Pauxi Pauxi and Cerulean Warbler Reserves, provide habitat for this warbler and a variety of other neotropical migrants, but there is a critical need to improve connectivity among them and prevent habitat fragmentation from land conversion. Project Description Studies have shown that shade-grown coffee and cacao provide high quality habitat for Cerulean Warblers and many other species. Shade coffee plantations not only support population densities that are often above those of intact forest, but Cerulean Warblers that overwinter in shade coffee plantations have been found to be in good condition and have high annual survival rates. This is in striking contrast to conventional agricultural plantations, which offer poor wildlife habitat and harbor low species diversity. Based on this knowledge, Southern Wings has joined a partnership that employs a unique, public-private approach to establish a conservation corridor between existing protected areas by utilizing direct land purchases as well as a campaign to increase the amount of shade-grown agriculture on private lands. For a large-scale conservation effort like the Cerulean Warbler Conservation Corridor to be successful, it must have local Partners Southern Wings $12,500 Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Fundación ProAves American Bird Conservancy Contributions Matched Funds - $168,903 Cerulean Warbler. Photo Credit: Frode Jacobsen involvement and cooperation. As a result, one of the important goals of this project is developing socio-economic benefits derived from shade-grown coffee and ecotourism as well as active engagement with local communities and landowners.

7 Results Southern Wings funding contributed directly to the purchase and protection of 652 acres in the corridor immediately adjacent to the Pauxi Pauxi Reserve, 90% of which is intact tropical forest. Partner funding has supported local nurseries and workshops on shade-grown agriculture, resulting in more than 84,000 trees planted across farms and degraded habitats in the Southern Wings funding contributed directly to the purchase and protection of 652 acres of Cerulean Warbler habitat adjacent to the Pauxi Pauxi Reserve, 90% of which is intact tropical forest. corridor since Ecotourism opportunities have also been implemented in the area with great success, as the Cerulean Warbler Conservation Corridor is actively generating revenue to help support conservation operations in the region. Project Spotlight: Protecting the Yucatán Peninsula Mexico s Yucatán Peninsula is a critical over-wintering and stop-over habitat for neotropical migrants prior to crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Southern Wings funding supported the purchase of 1,990 acres of habitat used by Wood Thrush and Blue-winged, Swainson s, and Cerulean Warbler. Partners: Missouri, Tennessee, American Bird Conservancy, Yucatán Peninsula Environmental Alliance, Amigos de Sian Ka an, Reserva Ecológica del Edén, Niños y Crías, Pronatura Península de Yucatán, The Nature Conservancy, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP). Wood Thrush. Photo Credit: Greg Lavatay

8 Establishing a Reserve in Guatemala s Sierra Caral Mountains Conservation Status The Sierra Caral Mountains, located in the Izabal region of Guatemala, are a unique transitional ecosystem that includes a RAMSAR wetland, tropical rainforests, and pine-oak forests. The area is used by more than 150 species of neotropical migratory birds for both stop-overs and wintering habitat including conservation priority species such as Wood Thrush, Buff-Breasted Sandpiper and Cerulean, Golden-cheeked and Kentucky Warblers. Sierra Caral was recently identified as a Proposed Protected Area by the Guatemalan government, but a lack of funding had prevented any progress towards protecting the area, within which land continued to be cleared. Project Description Partners Missouri Department of Conservation Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Iowa Department of Natural Resources Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fundacion para el EcoDesarollo y La Conservacion (FUNDAECO) Global Wildlife Conservation American Bird Conservancy World Land Trust US The main goal of this project is to facilitate the purchase, staffing and management of a protected area in the Sierra Caral Mountains. Because the support and cooperation of local communities in Izabal is critical to ensure long-term conservation of the reserve, the project also focuses on engaging residents and features an education campaign to spread awareness of the region s ecological importance. Southern Wings $40,500 Contributions Matched Funds - $59,500 Results With the help of Southern Wings funding, a 5,682 acre property of core migratory bird habitat was purchased and protected in early Six park rangers were also hired and trained to patrol the Sierra Caral Reserve, which held an opening ceremony in April 2012 that drew 200 members of the community including local mayors and the Governor of Izabal Kentucky Warbler. Photo Credit: Glen Tepke

9 The Sierra Caral site brought together numerous conservation partners that have expanded the project scope beyond bird conservation, resulting in a unique collaboration that has provided over $1 million USD in funding to protect 5,682 acres that housing over 150 species of neotropical migratory birds as well as multiple endemic amphibian and insect species, several of which are critically endangered. Growing Bird Habitat in Nicaragua Conservation Status The highland forests of northern Nicaragua are essential habitat for many neotropical birds including state-priority species such as Wood Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, and the endangered Goldencheeked Warbler. These forests are expansive but are becoming increasingly fragmented by land-use conversion. Fortunately, this also is a very rich area for coffee-growing which provides a unique conservation opportunity. Although sun-grown coffee is currently common in the region, there is potential to convert farms to shade-grown coffee and other sustainable agricultural practices that improve bird habitat and also meet the needs of Partners Pennsylvania Game Commission El Jaguar Reserve American Bird Conservancy North Carolina Audubon Society landowners in marketing their products and protecting their lands. Project Description Southern Wings and its partners have joined with the El Jaguar Reserve, a privately owned coffee plantation in the Isabelia Mountain Range with a focus on sustainable agriculture, to promote the practice of shade-grown agriculture in the surrounding region. The long-term goal is to create a conservation corridor between El Jaguar Private Reserve and the Reserva Natural Volcán de Yalí, approximately six miles to the northwest of El Jaguar. To achieve this goal, the project is supporting reforestation by training local farmers and providing Southern Wings $9,900 Contributions Matched Funds - $27,315 them with native tree seedlings to improve the sustainability of their farms and crops. By doing this, we can help decrease the rate of conversion of habitat to sun-grown agricultural land, promote reduced pesticide use, and support crops such as shade coffee that provide valuable bird habitat.

10 Results Funding by Southern Wings has allowed El Jaguar Reserve and its partners to make significant advances in recent years. Two tree nurseries growing native species have been established in local communities and have grown over 12,000 seedlings, in addition to 9,400 grown at the reserve. El Jaguar Reserve has also conducted two series of workshops for nearby landowners, discussing migratory birds, reforestation with native species, and the benefits of shade-coffee. Southern Wings funding has also supported bird surveys and banding projects at the reserve as well as provided bird education programs for local schools and an international migratory bird festival held in a local community. Native Tree Nursery. Photo Credit: Doug Gross Project Spotlight: Bicknell s Thrush in the Dominican Republic Recent research identified the Dominican Republic s eastern Cordillera Septentrional as a critically important overwintering area for Bicknell s Thrush. Deforestation, including illegal logging in protected areas, is a severe threat to the forests in this region. Southern Wings funding was used to hire and train park rangers for the region s Bahoruco National Park as well as to purchase equipment to aid their patrols. Matching funds were also used at the site to construct staff housing. Partners: Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, American Bird Conservancy, Sociedad Ornitológica de la Hispaniola