U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan

Each year, most species of shorebirds undertake phenomenal migrations from their wintering grounds as far south as the tip of South America to breeding grounds in the Arctic Ocean. Dependent on shorelines and wetlands, both coastal and along interior waterways, shorebirds are often competing with people for dwindling open space.

Concerns over shorebirds led to the creation of the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan in 2000. A partnership of individuals and organizations throughout the U.S., the plan develops conservation goals for each region of the U.S, identifies important habitat conservation and key research needs, and proposes education and outreach programs to increase awareness of shorebirds and their threats.

In the Northeastern U.S. the North Atlantic Regional Shorebird Plan was also drafted to step down the goals of the continental plan to smaller scales to identify priority species, habitat and species goals, and prioritize implementation projects.

The Division of Migratory Birds strongly supports and provides leadership to the U.S. Conservation Plan and the North Atlantic Regional Shorebird Plan. The Division is a member of the North Atlantic Shorebird Working Group where we assist with species assessments, population and habitat objectives, and in implementing conservation actions.

To learn more about U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, please visit these Web sites: