Global Conservation
Park Flight
The U.S. National Park System provides habitat critical to many species of migratory birds, from raptors and shorebirds to songbirds. Continental and local declines in these bird populations have led to a concern for their future. Because these species use parks on a seasonal basis, their protection cannot be assured without conservation efforts occurring in the habitats the birds use throughout the year. This requires cooperative and coordinated efforts between the United States and Latin America, such as the Park Flight Program, to protect breeding, migration, and wintering habitats, as well as a proactive approach to migratory bird conservation within the National Park Service (NPS).
"Hemispheric solidarity is new among statesmen, but not among the feathered navies of the sky."
--Aldo Leopold, A Sand County AlmanacThe Park Flight Program works to protect shared migratory bird species and their habitats in both U.S. and Latin American national parks and protected areas through developing bird conservation and education projects and creating opportunities for technical exchange and cooperation. Park Flight is a partnership between NPS, the National Park Foundation, American Airlines, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the U.S. Agency for International Development and the University of Arizona. The program is made possible through the generous support of American Airlines, the NPS Natural Resource Challenge, and the Park Flight partners. Technical direction is provided through the University of Arizona Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit and the NPS Biological Resource Management Division.
U.S. Park Flight Projects
Partners in Protection: A Cooperative Approach to Conserving Migratory
Birds Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Assess Black Swift Breeding Habitat in North Cascades and Teach about Neotropical
Migratory Birds
North Cascades National Park Service
Complex
Continue to Assess Neotropical Birds and Provide Educational Park Field
Trips
Bandelier National Monument Pecos National Historical Park
Preserving Oases Along the Flyway: Critical Stopover Habitat in New Jersey
for Migrating Songbirds - Phase II
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route
Assessing Quality of Grassland and Shrubland Habitats for Birds
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Conduct an Assessment of Cerulean Warblers in Great Smoky Mountains National
Park and Provide Public Education
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Conservation of Neotropical Migratory Birds in Riparian Habitat
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Point Reyes National Seashore
Assess Landbird Species Diversity, Density and Habitat within Gates of
the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park and
Preserve
Latin American Park Flight Projects
Environmental Interpretation and Promotion of Tourism Services for the Sustainability of the Chocoyero-El Brujo Nature Reserve Nicaragua
Educational School Trips on Bird Conservation in Cayala Ecological Park Guatemala
Strengthening Bird Conservation in Eastern El Salvador
Training Honduran Biologists and Park Guards in Field Techniques for Bird Studies Honduras
Ecological Education about Migratory and Resident Birds in Ajusco Medio - Phase II Mexico
Canal to Canal: Panama-Ohio Migratory Bird Trail Panama
Strengthening Provincial and National Park Guard Knowledge on Migratory Bird Monitoring and Conservation in Argentina
The assistance provided to U.S. National Parks and Latin American parks and protected areas is integrated and projects focus on two areas relating to migratory birds: 1) species monitoring, protection, and management; and 2) park interpretation, environmental education, and outreach. Another component is technical assistance, including training workshops, personnel exchanges, and participation of Latin American professionals in U.S. National Parks through the NPS Office of International Affairs Volunteers in Parks Program.
The NPS migratory bird conservation efforts will include involvement in Partners in Flight activities, such as International Migratory Bird Day, and coordination with the North American Bird Conservation Initiative and other national and international bird conservation initiatives. The program will focus on migratory bird conservation efforts in U.S. National Parks, and enhance collaboration with other agencies and organizations on migratory bird conservation efforts, provide information regarding compliance with migratory bird legislation, and participate in bird conservation partnerships.
The Park Flight Program is the recipient of the NPS Director's Award as part of the 2002 National Park Partnership Awards and has generated more than $1.5 million towards the conservation of migratory birds.
For more information on the Park Flight Program and NPS Migratory Bird Conservation Program, contact the Biological Resource Management Division at the Natural Resource Program Center, 970/225-3592.