Celebrating 100 Years of Bird Conservation

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Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial 1916-2016

Void of Bird Conservation

“The passenger pigeon needs no

protection. Wonderfully prolific

…having the vast forests of the

North as its breeding grounds…it is

here today and elsewhere

tomorrow, and no ordinary

destruction can lessen them…”

-Report of select committee of the Ohio Senate in 1857 on a bill proposed to protect Passenger Pigeons. 

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

Void of Bird ConservationMigratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

In the early 19th century, unregulated killing of migratory birds put many species at risk.Overuse of natural resources was the norm.

Origins of Bird ConservationMigratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

1900 - Lacey Act limited market hunting by making it illegal to transport or sell a bird in one state when illegally hunted in another state

1903 - Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge established

1913 - Weeks-McLean Law allowed the Federal Government to set seasons for hunting

100 Years of Bird ConservationMigratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

Aug. 16, 1916 - Signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty recognizes that preventing further species loss requires cooperation

1918 - Migratory Bird Treaty Act signed to implement the treaty

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial

• The 1916 Migratory Bird Treaty, the three others that followed (with Japan, Russia and Mexico), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act form the cornerstones to conserve migratory birds that migrate across international borders.

• The treaty connects many partners, who share a long, successful history of conserving, protecting and managing migratory bird populations and their habitats.

Importance of the treaty

Why Celebrate the Centennial?

Migratory Bird Treaty CentennialCentennial Celebration Goals

Create awareness about the importance of migratory bird conservation

Promote key actions to help birds

Increase support for migratory bird conservation programs and initiatives

Expand opportunities for engagement in birdwatching, hunting and conservation

Outcome: Awareness

• Create awareness among adults and children about bird conservation, that healthy habitats are healthy for birds and people.• Pitch stories and opportunities to media about

how birds and their conservation benefit people locally and throughout the Western Hemisphere.

• Tap into and create a conscious consumer, create awareness about products and actions that help birds, such as shade-grown coffee and fair-trade chocolate.

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

Outcome: Action

Promote key actions to help migratory birds.• Increase participation in citizen science programs• Expand homeowner use of best practices (lights out, reduce

collisions, wildlife-friendly gardens)

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

Outcome: Increased Support

Increase support for migratory bird conservation programs and initiatives

• Strengthen international partnerships• Increase knowledge and understanding of key bird

conservation actions

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

Outcome: Engagement

Increase opportunities to engage youth and adults in hunting and birdwatching.

• Increase the number of youth hunting, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing events available at National Wildlife Refuges and other areas.

• Host bird walks and festivals

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial

We want to unite the many organizations that have contributed to its success – and work together for future bird conservation efforts.

• The Centennial brings together our partners to celebrate the remarkable gains we have made in protecting migratory birds and their habitats.

• It is an opportunity to engage the Service, our partners, Congress, and the American public to increase support for bird conservation across the nation and beyond its borders.

• We welcome your suggestions and ideas!

• We need your input and commitment to participate.

We Need You!

Resources

•Centennial “Nestbox”•Free, online toolkit•Key messages•Talking points•Multimedia content•News release templates•And more!

•Online, adaptable and customizable•http://www.fws.gov/birds/MBTreaty100/nestbox.php

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial (1916-2016)

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial

We need your input, ideas, and commitment!• How has the Treaty impacted your

program/organization/agency?• How should we celebrate?• What messages should we share?• What events should we plan?• Where can we collaborate?• Who is a point of contact?

Get Involved!

Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial

Got ideas? Contact us!

Visit www.fws.gov/birds/MBTreaty100

or email MBTreaty100@fws.gov

Get in Touch!

One Community, One Celebration

Thank you!