The Big Picture

Improved wetland habitat benefits migratory birds, other wetland-dependent species, and people.

North American Waterfowl Management Plan

What is the North American Waterfowl Management Plan?

The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) is an international effort to conserve migratory birds and return waterfowl populations to their 1970s levels by conserving wetland and upland habitat throughout the continent. Canada and the United States signed the Plan in 1986 in response to critically low numbers of waterfowl. Mexico joined in 1994, making it a truly continental force.

NAWMP’s unique combination of biology, landscape conservation, and partnerships make up its exemplary conservation legacy. Plan projects are international in scope but implemented at regional levels. These projects contribute to the protection of habitat and wildlife species across the North American landscape, through partnerships among federal, provincial/state, and municipal governments, non-governmental organizations, private companies and individuals.

One of the unique features of NAWMP – and one of the keys to its success – is its legislative underpinning in the United States, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The Act facilitates the transfer of government and non-government funds into Canada and Mexico in support of NAWMP-related wetland conservation efforts.

• Read the 2004 Update (PDF; 2.17MB) to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan

North American Bird Conservation Initiative

What is The North American Bird Conservation Initiative?

Recognizing the success of NAWMP, there has been increased interest in pursuing the conservation of all birds. The North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) reflects this interest and seeks to coordinate and integrate the activities of a number of independent initiatives aimed at the conservation of landbirds, waterbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl.

The NABCI vision is that populations and habitats of North America’s birds are protected, restored and enhanced through coordinated efforts at international, national, regional and local levels, guided by sound science and effective management. The initiative will promote conservation programs comprised of regional partnerships that pursue biologically-based landscape conservation.

• Read the NABCI fact sheet

Bird Conservation Regions

The habitats of North America have been mapped into 66 Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) to facilitate planning and evaluation activities for NABCI. In Ontario there are four BCRs:

• BRC 7 – Taiga Shield and Hudson Plains
• BCR 8 – Boreal Softwood Shield
• BCR 12 – Boreal Hardwood Transition
• BCR 13 - Lower Gt. Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain

Also see Priority Landscapes.

National Conservation Plans