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̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s new strategies in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada represent a new chapter in the evolution of ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ in which we broaden our focus to protecting birds and the places they need over their entire life cycles.

This hemispheric approach stems from the recognition that the majority of vulnerable bird species found in the U.S. spend most of their lives in Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, which have some of the world's most biodiverse landscapes and seascapes. The Neotropical Realm alone has 41% of all bird species on Earth, and Canada is North America's bird nursery. Throughout the region, this biodiversity is at risk by habitat loss and environmental degradation. And in most countries, conservation efforts have not kept pace with economic growth and intensifying pressure on natural resources.

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Americas has developed an ambitious plan to address conservation shortfalls in Latin America and the Caribbean, by applying ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s conservation expertise and regional experience in innovative new ways. Over the next five years, we are targeting 10 million hectares (25 million acres) of prime ecosystems that are important for priority birds and wildlife, and human well-being.

In Canada, we are striving to be allies to Indigenous governments and communities across the Boreal Forest region and to elevate public support for millions of acres of proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and for Indigenous Guardians programs through science and communications efforts. 

Our Four Strategies

Our conservation strategies address and mitigate the most critical threats to wildlife and biodiversity and deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits for people. These strategies are based on innovative, proven models that can achieve impact at scale with the highest return on conservation investment.

Strategy 1: Protected Areas

Well-managed protected areas are essential to sustaining bird populations and reversing their decline. They also serve to mitigate climate change and help local communities thrive sustainably. Ì½»¨¾«Ñ¡ will work with partners to establish more than 80 new protected areas covering 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres) and improve management of an additional 2 million hectares.

Strategy 2: Working Lands

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s Working Lands Strategy is designed to create healthier habitats for birds and other wildlife. Ì½»¨¾«Ñ¡ Americas and partners will work with farmers to create these healthier habitats while expanding productivity and profit on 5 million hectares (12 million acres) of agricultural lands in once-natural landscapes.

Strategy 3: Coastal Resilience

All along the coast lines of the Americas, the rapid disappearance of mangroves, mudflats, other wetland habitat is threatening shorebird populations, situation especially dire along the Pacific Americas Flyway. Ì½»¨¾«Ñ¡ and partners will restore or improve the management of 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) of coastal habitat while integrating nature based solutions
into development and water sanitation agendas.

Strategy 4: Building A Constituency For Birds

Birds are persuasive ambassadors. In Latin America and the Caribbean awareness and popularity of birds and birding have been growing at  extraordinary pace. By supporting the development of National Plans for the Conservation of Birds, community science, educational programs, and community mobilization, Ì½»¨¾«Ñ¡ and its partners will build public commitment to conservation by engaging one million people across the hemisphere.

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Americas new strategies are designed to deliver conservation results at an unprecedented scale and pace. By capitalizing on the emerging green economy as well as growing public interest in birds, we intend to mainstream wildlife conservation into development agendas while involving a range of NGO partners, business interests, policymakers, and community leaders. By prioritizing ecological connectivity, our solutions will increase the mobility and range of wildlife in natural-area networks that will be more resilient to emerging environmental challenges.

Want to know more? Read ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Americas' business plan .