The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) Science Support Team (NSST) recently met for two days in Bismarck, North Dakota, ahead of the 4^th North American Duck Symposium. 

This relatively new team consists of waterfowl scientists, including two from Region 3, who provide technical guidance for NAWMP implementation, evaluation, and periodic revision. 

Most members are from Joint Ventures (JVs), the conservation partnerships originally established to collectively achieve goals identified in the NAWMP.  The theme of the August meeting was to reinvigorate the group which had only limited interaction since completing the 2004 version of the NAWMP. 

NSST history, its role in the NAWMP initiative, proposed bylaws, and a communication plan were thoroughly reviewed and refined during the meeting.  Additionally, each JV provided an update on their waterfowl habitat conservation planning effort. 

NSST officers were elected and a new executive committee was formed.  Establishment of several committees was discussed to complete the group's charge and purpose.  A primary focus was review of a NAWMP assessment recently completed by a committee of non-JV scientists and administrators. 

NAWMP Assessment Review – In general, the NAWMP conservation effort, implemented via JVs, continues to be viewed as a significant, positive and cohesive force, and an excellent model for large-scale conservation.  However, many recommendations for improvement by the assessment committee will be provided (e.g., monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management becoming a fundamental part of JV planning and implementation). 

Draft JV-specific reports will be sent to each JV Coordinator in September, a draft continental summary report will be available by late September, and a final continental summary report will be released in January. 

The next NSST meeting, slated for December in Austin, Texas, will provide members an opportunity to prioritize assessment recommendations and discuss how best to incorporate this information into JV planning efforts.