In 1986, an idea became reality.  Canada, the United States and Mexico united to form the North American Waterfowl Management Plan  (NAWMP), designed to restore diminishing continental waterfowl populations to the levels of the 1970’s.   

The “Plan” as it is sometimes called, brought together Federal and State agencies, private conservation organizations, business and private landowners national corporations and individuals of the three countries into “Joint Ventures”.  Joint Ventures are regionally based, self-directed partnerships that carry out science-based conservation through a wide array of community participation.  

From 1986 through the mid-90’s, Joint Ventures focused almost exclusively on waterfowl, striving to meet the goals of the NAWMP.  In the late 1990’s and early 2000, several other bird initiatives, based partially on the successes of the NAWMP, became reality.  These included the Partners in Flight North American Landbird Plan, the US Shorebird Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan. 

Joint Ventures, arguably one of the most successful conservation strategies ever begun, rose to the challenge, maintaining waterfowl as a significant focus and incorporating research, biological planning, monitoring and evaluation and on-the-ground projects that would address a broad spectrum of bird conservation and conserve critical bird habitats.  

Now that we are in the 21^st century, the legacy continues as Joint Ventures provide a model for regional, national and international conservation through the spirit of partnership and cooperation.