BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS FLYWAYS PROGRAM Americas Flyways Working

BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS FLYWAYS PROGRAM Americas Flyways Working Group

CONTEXT - Bird. Life Global Strategy 2020: Global Flyways/Migratory Birds Programme - Americas Regional Strategy 2013 -2017 Developed by the Flyways Working Group: Andrew Couturier, Bird Studies Canada Ian Davidson and Ted Cheskey, Nature Canada John Beavers and Matt Jeffrey, National Audubon Rosa Maria Vidal, Pronatura Rosabel Miró, Panama Audubon Society David Díaz, Aves y Conservación Alberto Yanosky, Guyra Paraguay Rob Clay and Zoltan Waliczky, Americas Secretariat

PRIORITY SPECIES Criteria: - Globally Threatened species - CMS Appendix I and II species - Species listed as “High Concern” in regional analyses Results: 26 Nearctic/Neotropical migrants 17 Intra-tropical and Austral migrants.

PRIORITY FLYWAYS AND MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION INITIATIVES. Top Priority: 5 Initiatives where an immediate concerted effort by Bird. Life could make a significant difference (in conservation outcomes on the ground or for integration with Bird. Life priorities). Moderate Priority: 6 Initiatives with a less immediate benefits in the short term.

CONSERVATION ACTIONS

CONSERVATION ACTION OBJECTIVES (1) 1. Save flagship globally-threatened migratory species from extinction and through specific actions reduce key threats and conserve key sites and habitats which benefit priority migratory species. 2. Conserve networks of priority IBAs, through action on the ground by IBA Local Conservation Groups, and the demonstration of suitable approaches to habitat conservation.

CONSERVATION ACTION OBJECTIVES (2) 3. Assess and mitigate significant barriers to migration. Potential examples include, but are not limited to, illegal and unsustainable hunting and the proliferation of poorly-planned wind energy and power transmission infrastructure. 4. Integrate the conservation of migratory birds into the working landscape and seascape, partnering with landowners to make working lands and seas work for birds, people and communities.

RESEARCH AND MONITORING

RESEARCH AND MONITORING OBJECTIVES (1) 1. Undertake targeted research to understand the ecology of flagship migrants throughout their lifecycles, identifying the key barriers and threats (full lifecycle planning). 2. Through targeted research, understand the migratory connections linking sites, regions, local communities, local governments and Partners. 3. Understand address the wider land-use issues facing migratory birds through targeted research and the development of, and advocacy for the application of, best management practices. .

RESEARCH AND MONITORING OBJECTIVES (2) 4. Assess the threat posed by climate change to the flagship migrants, and promote the role that migratory birds can play in monitoring climate change. 5. Regularly monitor and evaluate the conservation status of flagship migratory species and the networks of critical sites on migratory flyways.

CAPACITY BUILDING

CAPACITY BUILDING OBJECTIVES 1. Build capacity for flyway-scale conservation including the strengthening of local and national capacity at critical points on the flyways and the strengthening of collaboration and support between Bird. Life Partners and their allies in the north and those in the south. 2. Build the capacity of landowners and other land-users to implement bird-friendly production techniques.

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

POLICY AND ADVOCACY OBJECTIVES 1. Work with Multilateral Environmental Agreements, voluntary initiatives and international financers to strengthen the global and regional policy and financing mechanisms for the conservation of key habitats for migratory birds. 2. Work with national and local governments to strengthen and develop policies which help protect migratory birds, conserve key habitats and minimize the barriers to migration, building on successful site-based conservation initiatives and including novel funding mechanisms. 3. Build a broad constituency of landowners, local communities, businesses and consumers supporting migratory bird conservation.

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH

COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH OBJECTIVES 1. Share experiences between regions, drawing on the rich Bird. Life history of working with migratory birds around the world. 2. Raise awareness of migratory birds and their habitats across the Western Hemisphere using the flyways approach.

¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!