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The Migratory Bird
Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enjoys a rich and successful
tradition. It has been instrumental, on its own and with partners, in
delivering bird conservation throughout the hemisphere for several decades.
It is a critical hub through which much is accomplished.
This strategic plan outlines
the future direction of the Migratory Bird Program and how it will continue
to contribute to bird conservation in North America and around the world.
Like a “blueprint” it lays out the goals and design for
a promising future for migratory birds.
This “blueprint”
reflects the collective wisdom of many people and groups that care deeply
about birds and their habitats. Birds are indicators of the health and
quality of our environment and are enjoyed by a large proportion of
our citizens. It is critically important for us to better understand
the dynamics of those bird populations and habitats that are in trouble
and then take actions to intervene strategically and effectively whenever
we can. And it is also important to support actions to keep “common
birds common.”
Clearly, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service alone cannot achieve the conservation of migratory
birds— it will take the collective and coordinated efforts of
thousands of partner organizations and citizens to do this. Birds are
everywhere and we all have a responsibility to act on their behalf.
As directed by international treaties and domestic legislation, the
United States government and its people have called upon the Service
to serve as a leader, a catalyst, and a facilitator of local, regional,
national, and international partnerships to protect, restore, and manage
all native migratory birds for future generations. This plan provides
the structure and framework to guide the Service in this all-important
effort.
We will use this strategic
plan as a guidepost for future funding and policy decisions; however,
this plan is both dynamic and evolutionary. We will revise it periodically,
with input from our partners, to reflect lessons learned from both our
successes and our failures. And we will hold ourselves accountable for
results which will add up to a better future for migratory birds and
their habitats throughout the hemisphere and beyond.
As you read this
plan, please consider how you can contribute to the Vision, Priorities,
Goals, and Strategies of the “Blueprint.” It will take all
of us to make it happen. And the beneficiaries will be future generations
of citizens who will continue to hear birds singing in the morning;
who will delight in seeing a bird in their backyard or along a nature
trail; or who will enjoy connecting with nature through a hunting experience.
Let’s work together
to give birds, and people, a promising future.
Paul Schmidt
Assistant Director for Migratory Birds and State Programs
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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