Migratory Bird ProgramConserving Americas Birds

Migratory Bird ProgramGoalsProtect, restore, and manage migratory bird populations to ensure: long-term ecological sustainability of all migratory bird populations,increase socioeconomic benefits, improve hunting and birdwatching, other outdoor bird-related experiences, increase awareness of the value of migratory birds and their habitats for their intrinsic, ecological, recreational and economic significance. Wood DuckBirdwatcher

Migratory Bird ProgramResponsible for maintaining healthy migratory bird populations for the benefit of the American people through: Population Monitoring, Assessment, and ManagementHabitat ConservationPermits and RegulationsConsultationCommunication and OutreachRecreation

Migratory Bird ProgramMigratory Bird Management Providing global leadership in the conservation and management of migratory birds for present and future generations.

Bird Habitat Conservation Providing leadership in the conservation of migratory bird habitat through partnerships, grants, and outreach for present and future generations.

Species Management/Planning/ImplementationHunting Regulations (migratory game birds )List of Birds Covered Under Treaties Bird InitiativesFocal SpeciesBirds of Conservation ConcernResearch and DataApplied ResearchSurveysPopulation & Habitat Data, Harvest DataRegulatoryPermits Take IssuesOutreach & Education/Communication International Migratory Bird Day, Urban Bird Treaties, State of the Birds, PIFMigratory Bird ManagementEaglets

PACIFICCENTRALMISSISSIPPIATLANTIC Portland, ORDenver, COMinneapolis, MNLaurel, MDPortland, ORGolden, COLafayette, LABismarck, NDLaurel, MDSacramento, CAOld Town, MEDMBM StaffArlington, VALaurel, MDDenver, COMinneapolis, MNBoise, IDMigratory Bird ManagementRegional OfficesPortland, ORAlbuquerque, NMMinneapolis, MNAtlanta, GAHadley, MADenver, COWashington, DCAnchorage, AKSacramento, CA

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PACIFICCENTRALMISSISSIPPIATLANTIC 1245638In your region who is your contact in the Migratory Bird Program?

Individual WorkMigratory Bird Program

Bird Habitat ConservationMigratory Bird Habitat Grant Programs:North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA)

Joint Ventures - Fostering partnerships to improve bird conservation strategies and activities across the continent.

Federal Duck Stamp Program Junior Duck Stamp Program

Outreach and Education

Fosters partnerships to carry out wetland conservation across North America

22-year history, more than 2,000 projects and nearly 4,500 partners funded

North American Wetlands Conservation ActRedheadNeotropical Migratory Bird Conservation ActGolden-winged WarblerIncludes habitat protection and restoration, research and monitoring of bird populations, law enforcement, and outreach and education throughout the Western Hemisphere. More than $39 million in grants in more than 36 countries.Bird Habitat Conservation

More than 5.3 million acres conserved/protected on National Wildlife Refuges.Federal Duck Stamp Program Junior Duck Stamp ProgramYouth arts curriculum teaching wetlands and waterfowl conservation with 27,000+ participants each year.Connecting children with nature through science and art Conservation through the ArtsBird Habitat Conservation

Migratory Bird InitiativesMigratory Bird Initiatives North American Waterfowl Management Plan U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan Waterbird Conservation for the Americas North American Landbird Conservation Plan (Partners in Flight)

State of the Birds Unprecedented partnership Looks at how birds are faring Shows conservation works

www.stateofthebirds.org

National Wildlife Refuge SystemEndangered SpeciesFisheries and Habitat ConservationOffice of Law EnforcementInternational AffairsExternal AffairsAdditionally - NGOsCross-Program Interactions

Current Migratory Bird IssuesOverabundant migratory game birds (Snow Geese, resident Canada Geese)Declining migratory game birds (pintails, scaup, sea ducks)Overabundant fish-eating birds (Double-crested Cormorants)Avian mortality (collisions with power lines and wind turbines, fisheries by-catch)Eagle Permit issuesReauthorization of Grant Programs

With your group, list grant programs designed to conserve migratory birds and their habitat. Discuss scenarios where each of these grant programs would apply.Group WorkMigratory Bird Program

Migratory Bird ProgramConserving Americas Birds

*1The Fish and Wildlife Service is the lead Federal agency for managing and conserving migratory birds in the United States. To conserve migratory bird populations and their habitats in sufficient quantities to prevent them from being considered as threatened or endangered. To ensure the citizens of the United States continued opportunities to enjoy both consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of migratory birds and their habitats.The Migratory Bird Program is charged with carrying out the Service's responsibilities, which it does in concert with a host of participating partners, both domestic and foreign.*1Protect, restore, and manage migratory bird populations to ensure: their ecological sustainability and increase their socioeconomic benefits, long-term sustainability of all migratory bird populations, Improve hunting, birdwatching, and other outdoor bird-related experiences, and increase awareness of the value of migratory birds and their habitats for their intrinsic, ecological, recreational and economic significance. To ensure the citizens of the United States continued opportunities to enjoy both consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of migratory birds and their habitats.The Migratory Bird Program is charged with carrying out the Service's responsibilities, which it does in concert with a host of participating partners, both domestic and foreign.*1*1The Migratory Bird Program has two central parts: Migratory Bird Management & Bird Habitat Conservation.Migratory Bird Management is responsible for the waterfowl surveys, annual hunting regulations, Bird Conservation Planning (Landbird (PIF), Shorebird, Waterbird Plans), regulations permitting the possession of birds, and guidelines for bird conservation.Bird Habitat Conservation is responsible for the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (conserving habitat through innovative partnerships joint ventures), North American Wetlands Conservation Act (grants program), Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (grants program) and the Federal Duck Stamp Program.

*1Surveys Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)Shorebird SurveysColonial Waterbird SurveysStatus Assessments of BCCChristmas Bird Counts Breeding Duck SurveysWing BeesWaterfowl BandingDove and Woodcock SurveysMid-winter Waterfowl Survey*The FWS Migratory Bird Program began in 1972 w/the Office of Migratory Bird Management in Washington DC.

The first Regional Migratory Bird Coordinators appeared in Regions 3 & 5 in 1973. By 1976 all seven Regions had Migratory Bird Coordinators.

The Migratory Bird Program truly is a National Program. Like the birds we protect our staff does not heed geographic boundaries. We have staff located across the county who report directly to the Washington Office.

This staff coordinate (and is sometimes co-located) with the Regional Office Migratory Bird staff.*The FWS Migratory Bird Program began in 1972 w/the Office of Migratory Bird Management in Washington DC.

The first Regional Migratory Bird Coordinators appeared in Regions 3 & 5 in 1973. By 1976 all seven Regions had Migratory Bird Coordinators.

The Migratory Bird Program truly is a National Program. Like the birds we protect our staff does not heed geographic boundaries. We have staff located across the county who report directly to the Washington Office.

This staff coordinate (and is sometimes co-located) with the Regional Office Migratory Bird staff.*1

The Branch of Bird Habitat Conservation provides an interface for Grant programs, Oversee and administer two international bird habitat grant programs that award $70 - $80 million in grants each year.

Coordinate the activities of, and provide the administrative support for the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee, the NAWMP Science Support Team, and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Advisory Group.

Provide administrative, budget, and performance support functions, and develop policy guidance for the Migratory Bird Joint Venture partnerships.

Work with partners (North American Bird Conservation Initiative, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, etc.) to improve Bird Conservation strategies and activities across the continent.

Manage the Federal Duck Stamp Program including: the scheduling and running of the National art contest to select the Duck Stamp image, development and printing of stamps, working with partners to release the Federal Duck Stamp at a national "First Day of Sale" event, and participating in other promotional and marketing activities for the Federal Duck Stamp.

Coordinate and administer the national Junior Duck Stamp conservation education program including: hosting a National art competition for the 50 state Junior Duck Stamp winners, developing and printing Junior Duck Stamps, managing the distribution, marketing and sales of Junior Duck Stamps, updating the conservation curriculum associated with the program, and working with state coordinators to improve the program.

Coordinate with internal Service partners and other agencies (USDA, USGS, etc.) to promote conservation strategies that will benefit migratory birds as well as achieve our other collective conservation goals through better science planning, land use programs, and policies.*First passed in 1989, most recently re-authorized in 2006.

Fosters partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation across North America.

20 year history, more than 1,860 projects and nearly 4,000 partners funded.

Approximately 24 million acres conserved in U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

More than $945 million in grants awarded, with partners contributing an additional $2.9 billion

*Federal Duck Stamp The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission has approved more than $26 million in grants to protect and restore more than 200,000 acres of wetland areas and wildlife habitat in the United States and Mexico. The commission awarded the grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). They also approved $11.5 million in Federal Duck Stamp funds to add more than 3,500 wetland acres to seven units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. For every dollar ninety-eight cents goes directly to purchase vital habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Remains one of the worlds most emulated conservation programs, with more than $500 million raised for wetland acquisition.

Junior Duck stamp - The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic, art and science program designed to teach wetlands habitat and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school and help reconnect youth with the outdoors. The program guides students, using scientific and wildlife observation principles, to communicate visually what they have learned through an entry into the Junior Duck Stamp art contest. This non-traditional pairing of subjects brings new interest to both the sciences and the arts. It crosses cultural, ethnic, social, and geographic boundaries to teach greater awareness of our nation's natural resources *1

approach to management of these groups of birds.Songbirds, Raptors, Marshbirds, Shorebirds, Seabirds, Colonial Waterbirds

**Throughout the two divisions we work with National Wildlife Refuge SystemEndangered SpeciesFisheries and Habitat ConservationOffice of Law EnforcementInternational AffairsExternal Affairs in addition to our many non-government partners. ***1So that is a quick overview of what the Migratory Bird Program is about -

managing and conserving migratory birds in the United States for future generations.