MSP VISION and OBJECTIVES

The Migratory Shorebird Project is the largest coordinated survey ever of wintering shorebirds on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. It was initiated in 2011 and is a cooperative effort of conservation science organizations and agencies from many countries, led by Point Blue Conservation Science. Our overall goal is to conserve shorebirds and wetlands from Alaska to Chile by connecting communities, standardizing data, and applying science across the Americas.

Migratory Shorebird Project Strategy 2022-2032

During 2022, as part of our 10 years of network celebration, we set out to discuss with partners the vision, goals and objectives, and actions of the Migratory Shorebird Project. It’s still under review and adjustment, but you can review and download it HERE and send your comments to Matt Reiter.

Vision

A coordinated research, monitoring, and conservation network across the Pacific Americas Flyway that provides essential information on shorebird populations and their habitats to guide and measure the success of conservation strategies from local to flyway scales to reverse declines and ensure thriving and resilient shorebird populations.

Goals and Objectives

G1 – Knowledge of trends in distribution and abundance of shorebird populations and the impact of hypothesized threats to their populations, at survey areas and sites, in regions and along the Pacific Americas Flyway has increased and contributes to decision making.

O1.1 Quantify trends in distribution and abundance of shorebird populations in survey areas and sites, within regions and along the Pacific Americas Flyway 
O1.2 Critically evaluate specific hypotheses of threats (including human cause disturbance, habitat loss, climate change, and predators) impacting shorebird populations to inform conservation decisions and actions

G2-Shorebirds and their habitats are considered indicators of ecosystem services and benefits among local communities, producers, government agencies, and other stakeholders along the Pacific Americas Flyway. 

O2.1 Quantify the ecosystem services provided by shorebird habitats at site, regional, and Flyway scales.
O2.2 Identify nature-based adaptation strategies that will make human communities, producers, and shorebirds habitats resilient to storms and sea-level rise-SLR as well as to increased sedimentation and flooding of coastal wetlands due to deforestation, increased rainfall and other up watershed factors  

G3-Increased human capacity and Migratory Shorebird Project data, results and existing network lead to implementation of conservation actions to benefit shorebirds and human communities.

O3.1 Use data, results, protocols, communication, outreach channels, and other resources of the network to inform conservation action.
O3.2 Increase the capacity of the partners in the MSP network to conduct applied shorebird research and conservation implementation. 
O3.3 Develop and implement a financial sustainability strategy for the MSP that keeps the network active and achieving the goals and objectives of this strategy.