EnglishToday the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced more than $4.9 million in grants for 37 projects that support neotropical migratory bird conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. Matched by more than $14.8 million in additional funds from partners, the projects will support habitat restoration, environmental education, population monitoring and other priority activities within the ranges of neotropical birds in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 27 Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Protecting Neotropical Migratory Birds and Key Habitats in the Paso del Istmo Corridor Rivas, Nicaragua
This project aims to protect Neotropical migratory birds and key habitats across private reserves in the Paso del Istmo Biological Corridor on the Rivas Isthmus. This area provides refuge to at least 36 species of Conservation Concern and is an important land bridge for migrating swallows and raptors. Paso Pacifico will restore 400 hectares of cattle pasture to natural forest by using native tree species and facilitated natural regeneration, and will assist private reserve owners in mapping key habitats, developing and designing interpretive bird lists, and developing management plans to protect these habitat types. Additionally, Paso Pacifico will carry out year two of a long-term monitoring program established in 2009, and will increase local capacity through training workshops and by sharing monitoring results at regional conservation meetings. Finally, Paso Pacifico will reduce bird mortality through a slingshot exchange program where two hundred binoculars and bird-focused curricula will be delivered to children in rural schools in exchange for slingshots. This outreach program will culminate in the celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, a first-time event for Rivas Nicaragua.
Project Partners: