November 4, 2024
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) is proud to recognize the anniversaries of three landmark conservation initiatives—Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), and Southern Wings. Together, these programs have created far-reaching networks and delivered lasting conservation impact for amphibians, reptiles, and birds across North America and beyond.
“The Association is proud to be part of theses amazing partnerships that are dedicated to the conservation of herpetofauna -- amphibians and reptiles -- and their habitats, facilitate state fish and wildlife agency participation in the conservation of priority migratory birds across their annual lifecycle, and ensure the long-term health of North America’s native bird populations,” said Judy Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association. “The collective conservation success of these initiatives is nothing short of amazing.”
25 Years of Conserving Amphibians and Reptiles: Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)
Founded in 1999, PARC unites a unique coalition of state, federal, and tribal agencies, non-governmental organizations, zoos, universities, and other groups to conserve North America's diverse herpetofauna. Recognizing the unprecedented threats to amphibians and reptiles, from habitat loss to illegal trade, PARC has established regional and national working groups, created habitat management guidelines, and addressed major threats such as illegal trade of North American turtle species. Through initiatives like the Collaborative to Combat the Illegal Trade in Turtles (CCITT), partnerships with the North American Bsal Task Force, and national outreach events such as Amphibian Week and Wild Turtle Week, PARC has advanced conservation for amphibians, reptiles, and the places that they live. The Association applauds PARC’s contributions for engaging and supporting a diverse network of partners, including state fish and wildlife agencies, to conserve North American herpetofaunal species and their habitat.
25 Years of Advancing Bird Conservation: North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI)
Since its inception in 1999, NABCI has provided a forum for partners to coordinate efforts addressing the declines of migratory and resident bird populations, including the estimated loss of 3 billion breeding birds since 1970. The NABCI partnership, comprising federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other bird initiatives, works to create a unified approach to bird conservation, promoting initiatives such as the Five Game Changing Paradigms and the publication of eight influential State of the Birds reports. As NABCI reaches its 25th anniversary, the Association commends the achievements of the initiative in coordinating conservation priorities, engaging decision-makers and conservation leaders, promoting the importance of social science in conservation, and serving as an informational clearinghouse for the bird conservation community.
Celebrating 15 years of Impact: Southern Wings
Launched in 2009, Southern Wings provides a unique mechanism for U.S. state fish and wildlife agencies to support full annual cycle migratory bird conservation in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Southern Wings was created because successful conservation of migratory birds requires action across their life cycle and over 50% of the birds that breed in and migrate through the United States spend over one-half the year outside of the United States. Through conservation investments on critical non-breeding and stopover sites, state agencies complement their in-state investment for priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). By investing $4.2 million in state contributions at sites with a strong biological connection to priority SGCNs, Southern Wings has leveraged an additional $9 million in partner funding and helped conserve over 1.5 million acres of migratory bird habitat, planted over 800,000 trees, and directly benefited 81 priority shared species. As it celebrates its 15th anniversary, the Association reaffirms its commitment to Southern wings and supporting partnerships aimed at conserving birds and reversing their declines.
The Association recognizes these anniversaries as milestones in collaborative conservation as we celebrate the collective conservation success of these three landmark conservation initiatives. Each program represents a commitment to protecting biodiversity, fostering partnerships, and addressing the urgent conservation needs of amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The Association encourages continued support from agencies, organizations, and individuals to further the missions of PARC, NABCI, and Southern Wings and looks forward to the impact these partnerships will have for years to come.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.