Plan Overview

American Avocet. Photo courtesy of Bradford Winn.

Partners from state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations from across the country pooled their resources and expertise to develop a conservation strategy for migratory shorebirds and the habitats upon which they depend. The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan provides a scientific framework to determine species, sites, and habitats that most urgently need conservation action. Main goals of the plan, originally completed in 2000, are to ensure that adequate quantity and quality of shorebird habitat is maintained at the local level and to maintain or restore shorebird populations at the continental and hemispheric levels. Separate technical reports were developed for a conservation assessment, research needs, a comprehensive monitoring strategy, and education and outreach. These national assessments were used to step down goals and objectives into 11 regional conservation plans. Many of the Migratory Bird Joint Venture Implementation Plans now address shorebird habitat needs and represent a second generation of regional plans for shorebird habitat conservation.

Partnership Council

Since 2000, shorebird conservation partners have been working to implement the goals and objectives of the plan. The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Partnership Council serves as the steering committee for overseeing the implementation of the regional, national, and international goals of the Plan. The Council is open to all private and public organizations who support implementation of the goals and objectives developed in the Plan. Although some outreach, education, research, monitoring, and habitat conservation programs are being implemented, accomplishment of conservation objectives for all shorebird species still requires a collective effort among traditional and new partners.

Website Information

The purpose of this website is to provide information on the implementation of the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan since its development in 2000. Sections contain technical reports, minutes of Council meetings, and other documents produced under the auspices of the Partnership Council. Links to other shorebird conservation partners’ programs are also provided. For additional information on the Plan or Council, or for comments on the website, please contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 540, Lakewood, CO 80228.