2009 BIRD CONSERVATION AWARDS
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The Wings Across the Americas 2009 Bird Conservation Awards will be presented in conjunction with the 74th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference to be held in Arlington, VA, March 16 – 21, 2009 at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel. The awards ceremony will be conducted on Thursday, March 19, 2009, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
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Table of Contents:
ABOUT THE 2009 AWARDS
It is time for nominations for the Wings Across the Americas Conservation Awards. The Wings Across the Americas program involves the entire Forest Service – the National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, Research and Development, and International Programs. The program enhances the conservation of birds and their habitat throughout the Americas. It complements partner efforts, supports national and international initiatives, and seeks to link collaborative activities on behalf of birds throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The awards will be presented in conjunction with the 74th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference to be held in Arlington, VA, March 16 – 21, 2009 at the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel. The awards ceremony will be conducted on Thursday, March 19, 2009, from 5:30–8:00 p.m.
The Wings Across the Americas awards recognize outstanding bird, bat, and butterfly conservation work by Forest Service personnel and partners. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase Forest Service bird, bat, and butterfly conservation activities, recognize Forest Service employees for their outstanding work, and demonstrate our appreciation to partners.
You are encouraged to nominate programs, projects, and partnerships that contribute substantially to bird, bat, and butterfly conservation. Nominations are sought in all areas of the Forest Service.
Awards will be given in the following categories: 1) Bird Research and Management Partnership Award; 2) Bird Habitat Conservation Award; 3) Bird International Cooperation Award; 4) Bat Conservation Award; and 5) Butterfly Conservation Award. An award may or may not be given in each category each year. Enclosure B describes award categories and criteria.
Please use the enclosed nomination form. Photos will be accepted as part of the nomination. Nominations may be submitted in each of the five categories.
Nominations should be sent by December 5, 2008, to wings@fs.fed.us.
Hard copies may be sent by FedEx to: Carol A. Lively, Migratory Bird Program Coordinator, US Forest Service, International Programs, 1099 14th Street NW, Suite 5500W, Washington, DC 20005, telephone: 202-273-4725.
A Forest Service panel and a group of partners will judge the nominations and make final recommendations.
Once the selections have been made, we will request additional information and photographs from the nominators. Nominators will be responsible for notifying their respective nominees of the award or of non-selection.
If you have any questions, please call Carol Lively at 202-273-4725.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE: DECEMBER 5, 2009
Please click here to download the latest nomination form.
CRITERIA FOR AWARDS:
Bird Research and Management Partnership Award
This award recognizes work that emphasizes a strong partnership between research and management to improve the status of a bird species or community of bird species. It further highlights efforts to bridge science and development of effective monitoring or management plans that further understanding of populations and management. The award will be shared between the principal Forest Service researcher(s), the appropriate Forest Service manager(s) and principal partners/partner organizations. Preference will be given to work that demonstrates any or all of the following criteria:
- Positive changes in the conservation status of birds, as demonstrated 1) directly by results of post-project habitat or population inventory or monitoring, or 2) indirectly by development and implementation of effective inventory or monitoring plans
- Research results have been used to positively influence management plans and/or practices
- Successful partnerships with other agencies, universities, joint ventures, or non-governmental organizations in the development and implementation of the project.
Bird Habitat Conservation Award
This award recognizes an exemplary Forest Service project or program that improves the conservation status of a bird species or community of bird species. The project can occur on National Forest System land, other federal or state lands forest lands, corporate forest lands or on private forest land. If there is strong partnership or local community involvement, the award will be shared with the appropriate community organization or partner. Preference will be given to work that demonstrates any or all of the following criteria:
- Local community involvement in the project; and/or
- Serves as a catalyst for other similar projects and partnerships
- Effective monitoring and inventory plans leading to conservation of bird populations
- Successful partnerships with other agencies, universities, joint ventures, or non-governmental organizations and individuals in the development and implementation of the project
- Progress towards meeting the conservation goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the US Shorebird Conservation Plan, the Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, and the Partners in Flight Land Bird Conservation Plan
Bird International Cooperation Award
This award acknowledges a project or program that involves work outside the United States with US and international partners to enhance the conservation status of a bird species or community of bird species. The award will be shared between Forest Service employees and the appropriate partners or organizations. Preference will be given to work that demonstrates any or all of the following criteria:
- A positive difference in the conservation status of bird habitat, a bird species or a community of bird species in one or both countries, especially affecting species of conservation concern in the US
- Effective building of conservation capacity and educational training in other countries where bird conservation is needed
- Contribution to positive changes in US or international policy that improves conservation status of birds or bird habitats in another country.
Bat Conservation Award
This award acknowledges a project or program that involves work inside or outside the United States with US and international partners to enhance the conservation of bats. The award will be shared between Forest Service employees and the appropriate partners or organizations. Preference will be given to work that demonstrates any or all of the following criteria:
- Contribution to the knowledge of population status and conservation needs of bats in the US or another country
- A positive difference in the habitat conservation status of bats in the US or another country
- Effective building of conservation capacity and educational training in bat biology and conservation
Butterfly Conservation Award
This award acknowledges a project or program that enhances the conservation of butterflies in the US and/or the Monarch Butterfly in Canada, the US and Mexico. The award will be shared between Forest Service employees and the appropriate partners or organizations. Preference will be given to work that demonstrates any or all of the following criteria:
- Contribution to the knowledge of population status and conservation needs of butterflies in the US or to the Monarch Butterfly.
- A positive difference in the habitat conservation status of butterflies in the US or to Monarch breeding, migration and wintering habitat.
- Effective building of conservation capacity and educational training in butterfly biology and conservation
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