Communications Toolkit
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act
The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) provides several resources for communicating about a grant project. Use our Key Messages (21.4KB) to target a specific audience, or access the most recent statistics on the economic value of birds and birdwatching to the U.S. economy.
For Grantees
- Access our latest news release for text you can use to announce your grant
- Use this template text to acknowledge USFWS support for your project
- Request the FWS logo (EPS and JPG available)
- How to incorporate a success story in your final report
- What makes a newsworthy success story?
Please send us your publications that mention NMBCA! neotropical@fws.gov
About the Neotrop Act
Browse summaries of funded projects.
Get graphics, photos, and charts from the latest grants cycle.
Download fact sheets and presentations:
- 2016 North American Ornithological Conference Presentation (1.9MB)
- Leveraging Funds for Effective Conservation (2.4MB)
- Identifying Measures of Performance (305KB)
- Catalyzing Bird Conservation (2.2MB)
- NMBCA: 2002-2010 (1.8MB)
Need more information about the NMBCA? Contact our communications staff at christopher_deets@fws.gov.
Graphics and Charts - 2016 Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Projects
Click on the images below to access full resolution files.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Bolivia.
Golden-cheeked Warbler in pine habitat.
Shorebird outreach in Bolivia.
Golden-winged Warbler banding.
Template Text to Announce a Grant
This project was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program, which supports work to conserve Neotropical migratory birds in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.
How to Incorporate a Success Story into your Final Report
Adding a short success story to your final report can assist FWS and your own staff to communicate with stakeholders, decision makers, and the public about your accomplishments.
A success story should be no more than 500 words. It should focus on the achievements that resulted from your actions, and what that means for birds and people. You should describe the threats that the birds are facing and the species and habitats that benefited from your work.
Back up your story with statistics and anecdotes. Quantitative data like the number of acres protected or number of students reached through environmental education are important, but qualitative examples resonate even more. Use stories from the local people or from your own staff about something uplifting they accomplished, even if it was just one nest or bird saved.
Don't worry if you're unsure about your writing ability or style, or language barriers. Just getting your key messages down in one place will help communicators to tell your story.
Read more about producing your final report here.
What Makes a Newsworthy Success Story?
All stories of project success are excellent, but not all of them are newsworthy. The types of stories that are more likely to be picked up by your local or national media may involve the declaration of a reserve, completion of restoration on a habitat, an exciting discovery, innovative research, or a thwarted poaching attempt. Stories about active threats and efforts to combat them are always of interest to the media and the public.
Another element that makes a newsworthy story is timeliness. The story must be current, or relate to current events. Preparation is also key. The more lead time you have before an announcement or story breaking, the better you'll be able to prepare talking points and involve partners to get the word out. Please notify the NMBCA staff about upcoming events or announcements, and we can help promote your story!