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July/August 2009
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IMBD Spring Festival featured on national IMBD website
 On May 9, 2009 the Sonoran Joint Venture, the Friends of the San Pedro River, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Coronado National Forest hosted an International Migratory Bird Day Spring Festival at the San Pedro House in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The festival was well-attended and included a variety of interactive talks, activities, and workshops for children and adults, live music, and lunch.
Highlights of the day included a talk by SJV Coordinator Robert Mesta on the importance of birds to native cultures, accompanyied by a live raptor demonstration courtesy of Liberty Wildlife. Other events included plein air painting, a native plant sale and talk hosted by Cochise County Master Gardeners, a live reptile exhibit from Gray Hawk Nature Centure, a wildlife tracking hike led by Sky Island Alliance, and a wide range of other activities and events.
Environment for the Americas, home of International Migratory Bird Day, has featured our San Pedro River festival on their website. Many thanks to all who helped make this event such a success and we look forward to an even better Festival in 2010!
SJV, Pronatura offer bird guide workshops
 In 2007 the Sonoran Joint Venture and Pronatura Noroeste received a Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grant to develop birding ecotourism in northwestern Mexico. Over the past six months we have implemented a series of three Bird Guide Workshops at three sites in the Mexican portion of the SJV region where Pronatura Noroeste is currently undertaking habitat conservation projects (the Colorado River delta and Álamos, Sonora, and San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur). During these workshops project staff trained teams of area residents in bird guiding skills.
One key component to this project is the follow up offered by the site coordinators. In the weeks and months since the initial workshops, participants have continued to receive weekly training and professional development opportunities and have become involved in on-the-ground bird habitat conservation and monitoring efforts lead by Pronatura Noroeste and other groups working in the region. Guides must contribute a minimum of 5 hours per month to conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, bird monitoring, and environmental education and community outreach efforts.
To learn more about this project contact Jennie Duberstein.
New guide to in-kind donations in Mexico available
 For years, people have been making in-kind donations of goods to Mexico. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding of the legal process has led to problems getting the donations to the appropriate recipients. Recognizing the lack of understanding that most donors have about in-kind donations, The International Community Foundation, Fundación Internacional de la Comunidad, and Mexican Congressman Carlos Torres Torres from Tijuana have written an In-Kind Donations Guide to Mexico to help donors better understand this process.
The Guide outlines the process by which individuals or organizations from the United States can legally make an in-kind donation to a registered non-profit organization in Mexico. The hope is that this Guide serves as a useful reference that helps support in-kind donations and encourages goodwill between the U.S. and Mexico.
Conservation easement for wetlands in Ejido El Doctor, Sonora
On May 6, 2009 Pronatura Noroeste signed the papers to establish two easements for the conservation wetlands in Ejido El Doctor with the goal of securing the environmental functions for the next 30 years. The easement includes two polygones of priority wetlands, with a total of 200 hectares under ejido ownership. The contract specifies a series of guidelines for the sustainable use of wetland resources through ecotourism, bird observation, and moderate extraction of plant resources (based on sustainable use plans).
The wetlands of Ejido El Doctor are located in the municipality of San Luis Río Colorado enside the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Biosphere Reserve. The wetlands have been recognized as Wetlands of International Importance as well as a site of Hemispheric Importance for the conservation of migratory waterbirds. These wetlands are a conservation priority in the Colorado River delta due to their ecological importance, including high concentrations of plants and migratory birds and the presence of a number of protected species (Threatened and Endangered), such as the Yuma Clapper Rail and the Desert Pupfish.
The easement is designed so that the ejido commits to not undertaking activities within these polygons that cause harm to the ecosystem, in particular ranching, agriculture, aquaculture, land clearing, or building construction. In addition to the the compensation they will receive, the ejido receives the benefit of an increased certainty for their lands, support for legal defense of property boundaries, improved access to resources to undertake sustainable projects, and direct employment opportunities for ejido members.
The project is part of the Joint Venture for the Restoration of the Colorado River Delta, in which government agencies and non-profit organizations participate from both Mexico and the United States. The group is supported by the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the Mexican National Natural Protected Areas Commission (CONANP). Within this iniative SJV partner Pronatura Noroeste AC is implementing ecological monitoring, environmental education, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development through ecotourism. This iniciative opens the doors for projects with a larger, longer-term vision for the integrated management of resources in El Doctor to benefit ejido members, in harmony with nature.
New climate change modeling tool available
 PRBO Conservation Science recently released maps showing potential climate effects for nearly 60 focal bird species in California. California's terrestrial ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to future changes in the global climate, including increased temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and changes in human infrastructure and development. Information on the potential effects of climate change on bird communities can help guide effective conservation and informed land management decisions.
PRBO and the California Avian Data Center are using climate models and multi-source bird data networked for the first time, thanks to the Avian Knowledge Network, to develop an online tool to predict current and future species distributions for over 80 species. These California Partners in Flight focal species represent the major habitat types found within California, including riparian, oak woodland, scrub, conifer, and grassland habitat types. There are currently 60 species available for viewing, organized into 5 different habitat types. Access this new tool here.
To learn more about PRBO's research on birds and climate change, including what you can do to help, please visit their Climate Change, Birds, and Conservation website.
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Field guide to the Farm Bill
The Farm Bill is one of the most important tools enacted by Congress for restoring, enhancing, and protecting habitat on private lands. As the number of conservation programs has increased since the 1985 Farm Bill, so have the amount of funds authorized to further conservation on private lands. The 2008 farm Bill authorized approximately $23 billion for a five year period. To help landowners, conservationists, biologists, and others take advantage of conservation programs in the 2008 Farm Bill, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, in partnership with the Intermountain West Joint Venture, has published the Field Guide to the 2008 Farm Bill for Fish and Wildlife Conservation.
The publication presents an overview of the Farm Bill and its history, as well as important information on organizations that administer it. Also provided is information on setting priorities, maximizing wildlife benefits, conservation planning, conservation practice standards, performance measurements, and assessments. A resources page provides citations of studies that document the impacts of Farm Bill programs and practices on wildlife.
 New WHSRN sites in the SJV region in Mexico
In April 2009, the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) Hemispheric Council approved two new Sites and the expansion and elevated designation of an existing Site in northwestern Mexico.
The Sistema Lagunar Huizache-Caimanero was named a Site of Regional Importance. This 18,000-hectare (44,000-acre) lagoonsystem is located in the Municipalities of Rosario and Mazatlán, in the State of Sinaloa. It has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, an Important Bird Conservation Area (AICA, in Spanish), and a National Priority Wetland for shorebirds as well as for waterfowl. The lagoon supports more than 20,000 shorebirds representing 23 species.
The  Complejo San Ignacio was designated as a Site of International Importance. This 110,000-hectare (271,000-acre) wetland complex is located in the community of San Ignacio, Municipality of Mulegé, in the State of Baja California Sur. The complex includes the San Ignacio, El Coyote, and La Bocana lagoons. The area has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The San Ignacio wetland complex hosts 22 species of shorebirds, including more than 23% of the estimated world population of Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) and 11% of the Western Snowy Plover population (Charadrius alexandrines nivosus) during the winter. Other species with regionally important populations here include American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates) [4.7%]; Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americana) [2.2%]; Willet (Tringa semipalmata) [2.8%]; and a Red Knot subspecies (Calidris canutus roselaari) [4.7%].WHSRN Site partners include the El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve; National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP); Autonomous University of Baja California Sur; and Pronatura Noroeste.
The Complejo Lagunar Ojo de Liebre- Guerrero Negro was re-designated as a Site of Hemispheric Importance. This lagoon complex is located in the community of Guerrero Negro, Municipality of Mulegé, in the state of Baja California Sur. In September 2000, the 20,102-hectare (49,651-acre) Guerrero Negro wetland was designated a WHSRN Site of International Importance, nominated by Exportadora de Sal S.A. de C.V., a salt-extraction company with a concession in the area. Through scientific research and monitoring activities in the area since, partners discovered that the larger complex of Ojo de Liebre - Guerrero Negro (163,765 hectares [404,500 acres]) meets the criteria for a Site of Hemispheric Importance by hosting over 30% of the biogeographic population of not one but three species: Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) [50%]; a subspecies of Red Knot (Calidris canutus roselaari) [32%]; and a subspecies of Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus cairinus) [68%]. The area supports 31 shorebird species overall, including regionally important populations (> 1%) of seven species. This complex forms part of the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve and has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, as well as a World Heritage Site and Whale Sanctuary by UNESCO.
Upcoming grant deadlines
We have recently added information about a number of new funding opportunities for those doing work in the SJV region. Please take the time to browse through the complete list of funding opportunities.
- Department of Defense 2010 Legacy Management Program
Deadline: 31 July 2009 (pre-proposals)
Description: The Department of Defense (DoD) Legacy Program is accepting pre-proposals that
support military mission needs and improve the management of natural and cultural resources. Areas of emphasis include species at risk, species of concern, ecosystem services, global climate change, integrated natural resource management, regional ecosystem management initiatives, invasive species control, and cultural resources. Proposed projects must have regional or DoD-wide significance and benefit more than one military department or installation.
- The Christensen Fund
Deadline:31 August 2009; 31 March 2010
Description: The Christensen Fund makes grants to organizations that work towards maintaining the rich diversity of the world—biological and cultural—over the long run, including the persistence and adaptation of indigenous systems for managing landscapes that sustain cultural and biological value and diversity.
- US Fish and Wildlife Service Internship Program
Deadline: 15 September 2009
Description: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requests proposals to cooperatively administer a program for identifying and recruiting individuals or groups for internship assignments at various USFWS stations. Through on-site activities located at a variety of field stations, including wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, and ecological services offices, individuals or groups will be introduced to natural resource careers through “hands-on” work with, and training by, natural resource professionals employed by the USFWS. The goal is to help develop a new generation of enthused and effective conservationists and ecologists.
- Acres For America
Deadline: 1 September 2009
Description: The purpose of this program is to provide funding for habitat conservation projects through acquisition of interest in real property. Established as a partnership between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Wal-Mart, this program aims to permanently conserve one acre for every acre developed by Wal-Mart for company use, which includes Wal-Mart's current domestic facilities and the company's future development over the next ten years.
- California Department of Parks and Recreation Habitat Conservation Fund
Deadline: 1 October 2009
Description:
This program is designed to assist local governments with the conservation of habitat via various acquisition, enhancement, restoration, and outreach activities. For the current application cycle, successful applicants will receive support for preliminary costs, personnel, consultation, construction, signage, relocation, fixed equipment, and other eligible costs associated with the following eligible project types: wetlands, riparian habitat, wildlife corridors, urban trails, and aquatic habitat benefiting anadromous salmonids and trout resources.
Upcoming meetings and workshops
See complete details about upcoming meetings and workshops.
American Ornithologists Union: 12-15 August 2009, Philadelphia, PA.
Western Bird Banding Association Annual Meeting: 28-30 August 2009, Milpitas, CA.
Sonoran Joint Venture Technical Committee: 29-30 September 2009, Yuma, Arizona. Contact: Carol Beardmore. |
