Contacts:

Barbara Pardo, Joint Venture Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
BHW Federal Building
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056
Phone: (612) 713-5433
Fax: (612) 713-5393
Barbara_Pardo@fws.gov

 

Paul Richert, Assistant Joint Venture Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
BHW Federal Building
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056
Phone: (612) 713-5364
Fax: (612) 713-5393
Paul_Richert@fws.gov

 

Gregory J. Soulliere
Science Coordinator, Upper Mississippi River
& Great Lakes Region Joint Venture
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2651 Coolidge Rd., Suite 101
East Lansing, MI 48837
Phone: 517-351-4214
Fax: 517-351-1443
E-mail: Greg_Soulliere@fws.gov

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In response to the significant decline in waterfowl populations, an International planning effort was undertaken. As a result of this effort, a strategic plan known as the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (Plan) was signed by Canada and the United States in 1986. Mexico became a signatory in 1994 when the Plan was updated and helped set the stage for a more comprehensive waterfowl conservation initiative. The primary goal of the Plan is to restore waterfowl populations to the levels recorded in the 1970’s.

The Plan also realized that a broad coalition of partners would have to work and coordinate closely. Since that time, partnerships known as Joint Ventures (JV) have been formed and continue to develop. Within the U.S. there are 14 habitat Joint Ventures. More information about the Plan and Joint Ventures is found at http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/index.shtm

Recognizing the importance of partnerships and the need to protect habitats for migratory birds the U.S. Congress passed the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) in 1989. This legislation officially recognized the goals of the Plan and created a grants program as a funding mechanism to help achieve the goals of Plan and other wetland associated migratory bird programs. Additional information on
NAWCA is found at http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/index.shtm

 

Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes Region
Joint Venture (UMR/GLR JV)

The UMR/GLR JV was formed in 1993 primarily to assist with accomplishing the waterfowl population goals identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (Plan). The success of the UMR/GLR JV, like any other Joint Venture, is based on partners being able to work together, set goals and priorities, and make a commitment to build a strong biological foundation that will attain those goals in the most efficient and effective way possible. Joint Ventures are typically partnerships between individuals, businesses, nongovernmental organizations and local, state and federal government representatives.

Like the Plan, the UMR/GLR JV is evolving and is working towards the protection, restoration and enhancement of habitat for priority migratory birds. In addition to the waterfowl plan, there are three other major continental bird plans; the North American Landbird Conservation Plan -- Partners in Flight (http://www.partnersinflight.org), the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (http://shorebirdplan.fws.gov/USShorebird.htm), and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (http://www.waterbirdconservation.org). All of these documents provide general guidance for the Joint Ventures to follow.

In keeping with the spirit of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) and the planning framework established with the concept of bird conservation regions (BCR’s), the UMR/GLR JV supports and promotes integrated bird conservation. The boundary of the UMR/GLR JV traverses six BCR’s. More information is available at North American Bird Conservation Initiative.

The UMR/GLR JV supports the goals of all these initiatives. Our JV was a partner in the development of Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes Regional Shorebird Conservation Plan and is a partner in the on-going development of the Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes Waterbird Conservation Plan. Both of these documents support the continental plans by identifying priorities and strategies that can be implemented at a regional scale.

Since its inception, partners within the UMR/GLR JV have protected, restored, and enhanced more than 522,500 acres of habitat. For more information about the goals and objectives of the UMR/GLR JV, click on the UMR/GLR JV Implementation Plan cover below.

The Region 3, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administrative boundary includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The boundary of UMR/GLR JV includes all or portions of these states and the eastern portions of Kansas and Nebraska. The current UMR/GLR JV boundary is shown in the map at the top of this page.

The Region 3 Joint Venture office also assists with administering the eastern portion of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (http://ppjv.org) in Minnesota and Iowa, as depicted in the above diagram.

To find out more about each of the eight states within the Region 3 portion of the UMR/GLR JV, click on a state text link below.

Joint Ventures By State
[ Illinois ] [ Indiana ] [ Iowa ] [ Michigan ] [ Minnesota ] [ Missouri ] [ Ohio ] [ Wisconsin ]

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