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February 2010

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IMBD 2010: Save the Date!
IMBD posterJoin the Sonoran Joint Venture, the Friends of the San Pedro River, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Coronado National Forest for their annual International Migratory Bird Day Spring Festival at the San Pedro House in Sierra Vista, Arizona on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

If you are interested in having a booth, giving a talk, or leading a walk or hike at the festival, please contact Jennie Duberstein.

Desert Bird Conservation Plan now available
DBCPThe Desert Bird Conservation Plan: A strategy for protecting and managing desert habitats and associated birds in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts is now available for download. Developed by California Partners in Flight and PRBO Conservation Science, the Desert Bird Conservation Plan (BCP) is a non-regulatory document intended to educate and assist land managers and researchers interested in improving desert habitat for bird populations. The plan addresses management and conservation issues of the Mojave and Lower Colorado River Valley section of the Sonoran Desert, two desert eco-regions that encompass southeast California, southwest Nevada, western Arizona, and northwest Mexico.  The plan provides an overview of desert ecology, the challenges facing desert ecosystems and its birds, species accounts for 15 desert focal species, desert bird population targets, overall conservation objectives for the Mojave and Colorado deserts, specific recommendations, and guidance for implementing the plan. 

Though the Desert BCP was originally conceived to address desert habitats exclusively in California, interest in a comprehensive, habitat-based desert plan extends beyond California's borders into Nevada, Arizona, and northern Mexico. The Desert BCP therefore addresses Mojave and Colorado Desert habitats throughout a multistate/transnational region with the goal of complementing and adding to existing bird conservation plans in Nevada, Arizona, and Mexico.

Shorebird Sister Schools Program Spanish language materials available
SSSPThe Shorebird Sister Schools Program (SSSP) is a science-based environmental education program designed to engage youth in learning about shorebirds and their conservation. The program was created to support a multi-national effort to protect shorebird populations and their habitats along all the major flyways. The Shorebird Sisters Schools Educator’s Guide is available in English as a CD. Three-ring binders of the 500 page educator’s guide are also available by request in Spanish, Russian, and Japanese. Student workbooks are available both in English and Spanish. A limited number of shorebird posters in English or Spanish are also available. All our educational materials are offered free of charge.

For more information and to request materials, contact:
Jim Siegel
Shorebird Sister Schools Program Coordinator
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
National Conservation Training Center, MS 19
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443 USA
(304) 876-7479

Vaux's Swift project needs your help
 VauxThe National Audubon Society and other partners are currently undertaking a project to identify and protect the major communal migratory roost sites used by Vaux's Swift. The project is currently in its third year and researchers and volunteers have documented over a million roostings at 50 different sites in the United States and Canada. While the data have provided a reasonably good idea of what is happening with this species in the U.S. and Canada, its status south of the international border with Mexico is largely unknown.

The project is currently attempting to identify the main migration corridor through Baja California and Sonora and is requesting any information or sightings for Vaux's Swifts in these two states. Researchers are especially interested in sightings of large numbers (hundreds or thousands) in April/ May or September/October. On the opposite end of the spectrum, observations such as, "they are rarely seen in area X" would also be helpful.

Please contact Larry Schwitters, Project Coordinator, Audubon Vaux's Happening or visit the program website for more information.

USFS Climate Change Resource Center
The U.S. Forest Service has established a Climate Change Resource Center.  This is a reference Web site for resource managers and decision makers who need information and tools to address climate change in planning and project implementation. Although future scenarios are daunting, managers can do much to promote adaptation to climate change and encourage reduction of human effects on climate.  The site also offers a short course on climate change adaptation with a number of presentations and information.

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.

  • North American Wetlands Conservation Act Program
    Deadline:     5 March 2010 and 30 July 2010 (U.S. Standard Grants); 28 October 2010 (U.S. Small Grants); 2 June 2010 (Mexican Standard Grants)
    Description:     The North American Wetlands Conservation Act provides matching grants to private or public organizations or to individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The program provides US, Mexican, and Canadian Standard Grants (between $50,000 and $1,000,000) and US Small Grants (up to $75,000). For more details on how to apply, visit the NAWCA section of the SJV website. Important note: Anyone considering applying for a U.S. grant should coordinate their application with SJV Science Coordinator Carol Beardmore (602-242-0524 ext. 248). The SJV will need to be involved not only to provide guidance but also because we rank all applications that are submitted (Mexican applicants do not need to coordinate with the SJV, although we are happy to provide assistance).
  • The Christensen Fund
    Deadline: 31 March 2010; 31 August 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.
  • Captain Planet Foundation
    Deadline: 31 March 2010; 30 June 2010; 30 September 2010; 31 December 2010
    Description: The Captain Planet Foundationfunds projects that promote understanding of environmental issues, focus on hands-on involvement, involve children and young adults 6-18 (elementary through high school), promote interaction and cooperation within the group, help young people develop planning and problem solving skills, include adult supervision, commit to follow-up communications with the Foundation. In an effort to conserve paper the Captain Planet Foundation requires grant applicants to apply for funding using the online application form. Should you have any questions regarding the grant application or the small grants program, please contact Taryn Murphy, CPF's program director.
  • Acres for America
    Deadline:     1 April 2010 (preproposal); 1 June 2010 (full proposal); 1 September 2010 (pre-proposal); 1 November 2010 (proposal);
    Description: Acres for America is a partnership between Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Acres for America program was established to provide funding for projects that conserve important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through acquisition of interest in real property. The goal of the Acres for America program is to offset the footprint of Wal-Mart's domestic facilities on at least an acre by acre basis through these acquisitions.
  • Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program
    Deadline    : 27 April 2010
    Description: The Wetland Recovery Project's (WRP) Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program provides grants of $1,000 - $30,000 for community-based restoration projects in coastal wetlands and watersheds in the southern California region. The purpose of the Program is to further the goals of the WRP Regional Strategy; build local capacity to plan and implement wetland restoration projects; promote community involvement in wetland restoration activities; and foster education about wetland ecosystems. Please contact Shawn Kelly (805-984-9531) for more details.

Upcoming meetings and workshops
See complete details about these and other upcoming meetings and workshops.
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