 Joint Ventures (JV)
Joint Ventures are regionally based voluntary
coalitions of public and private conservation-minded
organizations originally developed under the
North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Several
Joint Ventures have expanded their missions to
include conservation for all birds and habitats,
not just waterfowl. Arizona is included in two
Joint Ventures for all-bird conservation, and
ABCI is actively involved on regional steering
committees and in work groups.
- The
Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV),
which covers the northern portion of Arizona,
includes 11 Western states and southern Canada.
The IWJV administers a cost-share funding program
and participates in project selection for the
North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants
Program. Several conservation plans have been
developed to address the conservation needs of
birds in the region, including the Coordinated
Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in
Northern Arizona.
- The
Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV), which covers
the southern half of Arizona, was the first international
Joint Venture. The SJV also includes southeastern
California and the Mexican states of Sonora,
Sinaloa, Baja California, Baja California Sur
and the Gulf of California. Arizona Game and
Fish Department Director Duane Shroufe chairs
the management board, and ABCI
is an important partner in the SJV through participation
in the technical committee. The
SJV is currently working on a bird conservation
strategic plan for the region.
Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites that support
significant numbers of “species of conservation
concern,” large concentrations of birds,
exceptional habitat and/or substantial research
or educational value.
Bird Life International
started the program globally and partners with
the Audubon Society for national implementation.
In Arizona, the Tucson chapter and the state
office of the Audubon Society coordinate the
IBA program. ABCI is one of several partners
that support Audubon in its efforts to identify
and monitor these important bird habitats.
Our contributions have included providing financial
support (ABCI grants) and serving on the technical
committee that evaluates potential sites for
IBA designation. Designation indicates the
areas’ importance for birds, but does
not confer any legal protections. To learn
more, visit the Tucson
Audubon Society or Aububon
Arizona Web sites. |
