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 Nicaraguan biologist Salvadora Morales holds a Wilson’s warbler, captured at a banding station in Kings Canyon National Park, California. As an international intern with the Park Flight Program, Morales worked with park staff banding and interpreting Neotropical migratory birds, like this warbler.  Panamanian schoolchildren dress in Harpy eagle costumes as part of the environmental education component of the Park Flight project in Panama. Also focusing on migratory shorebirds, the project’s goal is to engage rural communities in the conservation of both important migratory and resident species. Carol Beidleman
Back to Chapter 7: Collaboration and Public Participation Articles Public involvement at Blue Ridge Parkway By Bambi Teague and Chris Ulrey Russian scientists help seek brucellosis solutions for Yellowstone By Glenn Plumb, Wayne Brewster, and Margaret Wild Long-term bison management plan for Yellowstone and Montana Technology and collaboration improve interagency fire planning By Anne Birkholz and Pat Lineback Work group initiated by National Park Service gains permanent support from county government By Kathleen Kodish Reeder Partners in plant protection at Capitol Reef National Park By Tom O. Clark Mountain of partnerships elevates North Cascades’ monitoring capabilities By Bruce L. Freet Other Developments A photographic mushroom survey Joint conservation plan for the Potomac Gorge Geologists-in-the-Parks program expands in scope Public participation and personal watercraft Award-winner Profile - Facility Manager Chris Case recognized with award Superfund cleanup at Grant Kohrs Ranch Progress developing the National Cave and Karst Research Institute International fisheries management plan for the Amistad Reservoir |
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 By Carol Beidleman The National Park System provides critical habitat for many species of migratory birds, from raptors and shorebirds to songbirds. Continental and local declines in these bird populations have led to concern for their future. Because these species use national parks on a seasonal basis, their protection cannot be ensured without conservation efforts occurring in the habitats the birds use throughout the year. This requires collaborative, coordinated programs 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 migratory bird conservation program within the National Park Service. The Park Flight Migratory Bird Program works to protect shared migratory bird species and their habitats in both U.S. and Central American national parks and protected areas. The program develops bird conservation and education projects and creates opportunities for technical exchange and cooperation. The assistance is integrated and focuses on two areas of migratory bird conservation: (1) species assessment, protection, and management; and (2) park interpretation, environmental education, and outreach. Park Flight is an innovative partnership between the National Park Service, National Park Foundation, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/USAID, and is made possible through the NPS Natural Resource Challenge and the generous support of American Airlines. Technical direction is provided through the University of Arizona Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit and the NPS Biological Resource Management Division. Calendar year 2001 was a banner one for the Park Flight Program, with many accomplishments. In collaboration with the National Park Foundation, Park Flight funded bird conservation and education projects in 13 U.S. national park units, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon, North Cascades, Bandelier, Pecos, Aztec Ruins, Capulin Volcano, Fort Union, New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, Cuyahoga Valley, Great Smoky Mountains, Golden Gate, and Point Reyes. An agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation facilitated funding of migratory bird conservation and education projects in Central American national parks and protected areas in 2001, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, and Mexico. This is the first time the National Park Service, National Park Foundation, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have partnered on a program of this scope. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an important partner because of its long-standing presence in Central America and success in assisting with projects in the region. In addition to initiating these bird conservation and education projects, the Park Flight Program implemented a program of technical assistance, including workshops, personnel exchanges, and participation of Central American professionals in U.S. national parks through the NPS Office of International Affairs. A workshop for Park Flight grantees from U.S. and Central American national parks and protected areas was held at the Grand Canyon Albright Training Center. Staff of the Chocoyero El Brujo Wildlife Refuge in Nicaragua received assistance from an NPS landscape architect who designed a boardwalk and viewing platform at an important site for resident and migratory birds. An NPS wildlife biologist from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks provided instruction to biologists and park guards in bird monitoring techniques at the Cerro Azul Meambar Protected Area, Honduras. Interns from Nicaragua and Mexico assisted with Park Flight bird monitoring and education efforts at Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Point Reyes, and Golden Gate. The National Park Service is broadening its involvement with other national and international bird conservation initiatives, such as the North American Bird Conservation Initiative and Partners in Flight, and collaborating with other agencies and partners on migratory bird conservation. In March 2002, the Park Flight Program won the Director’s Award as part of the National Park Partnership Awards. |
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This material is from Natural Resource Year in Review--2001, published by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, in May 2001 (publication D-2255) /YearInReview/yir/yir2001/07_collaboration/07_3_beidleman.html Last Updated: |
