Building Capacity for Shorebird Conservation in Central America

Coastal wetlands of Central America provide vital stopover sites and wintering habitat for shorebird species such as Wilson’s Plover, Whimbrel, and Semipalmated Sandpiper. Among the critical sites for these and other many shorebird species are Jiquilisco Bay in El Salvador and Delta del Estero Real in Nicaragua.

Both areas, located on the Pacific Coast near the Gulf of Fonseca, meet the biological criteria necessary for inclusion in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN). While these sites do have some level of protection, they lack effective processes for conservation and generally are threatened by habitat loss, degradation, pollution, and unsustainable resource use.

Working with partners in both countries, the WHSRN Executive Office has launched the project “Building capacity for conservation at priority shorebird sites in Central America.” This project is made possible by support from the Wildlife Without Borders grants program for Latin America and the Caribbean, facilitated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of International Conservation. The project aims to help build and strengthen the capacity of local partners and stakeholders to effectively manage and protect the two sites.

Read the full story at the WHSRN news.