Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

Strategic Plan 2004 - 2008

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Scorecard Concept (.DOC)
 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) was established in 1985 as biologists became increasingly aware of the critical role of migratory staging and stopover sites for shorebirds. Today the Network comprises 69 sites in 9 countries. Nonetheless, there have been continued widespread declines in shorebird populations and conservation action is urgently required. In fact, some birds such as the New World race of Red Knots will become extinct within our lifetimes if current population trends continue. On the positive side, completion of shorebird conservation plans in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico add new resources to shorebird conservation.

Photo Credit: Charles Duncan

To invigorate WHSRN and elaborate on a 5-year strategy for making it as powerful as possible, a thorough review of the Network’s mission, conservation vision, and structure was undertaken. The document that follows is the result of that study.

WHSRN’s mission is to conserve shorebird species and their habitats across the Americas through a network of key sites. The vision is that sites in sufficient number, quality, and location are designated and managed to sustain all native shorebird species and their current populations throughout the Americas.

WHSRN’s goals are to:

  • Ensure that the Network’s conservation actions are the effective and appropriate application of the best available information;
  • Iimplement shorebird conservation action at Network sites throughout the Americas;
  • Create and maintain informed, involved, empowered and interconnected human communities at Network sites; and,
  • Become the strongest network of sites possible.

Within each of these goals, specific objectives for 2004-2008 are described. The work programs for the Network derive from these objectives.

Three groups are the primary implementers of the Network’s mission. These are Site Partners, the people on the ground at each WHSRN site; Network Partners, the organizations that support the Network overall; and the Technical Committees, providing support to both Members and Partners. The detailed roles and responsibilities of these groups are described in detail in Appendix I.

Leadership for the Network occurs at a variety of scales, as appropriate to the needs and wishes of the Site and Network partners. The Hemispheric Council is the body ultimately responsible for the entire network and matters affecting the WHSRN program as a whole. Geographically dispersed International Councils, and in many cases, National Councils, design and implement pertinent activities that contribute to the achievement of the Network’s mission. The roles and responsibilities of these councils are also described in detail in Appendix I, and an organizational chart is shown in Appendix II. The existing WHSRN Council will serve as an interim body as the several councils are organized.

The Network’s Executive Office is a function of the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences (hereafter: Manomet) and provides core services supporting the Network’s constituents. Financial responsibility for funding the Executive Office is shared among Manomet and the Network Partners. Membership on the Hemispheric Council generally carries a direct obligation to support the Network’s core functions financially, though no otherwise qualified Hemispheric Council candidate will be rejected because of an inability to make a financial contribution.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (download the document to see the text)

Executive Summary

  1. Introduction
  2. Brief History of WHSRN
  3. Mission and Vision
  4. Guiding Principles
  5. The WHSRN Strategy
    • Goals and Objectives
  6. Implementation
  7. Leadership and Organizational Structure
  8. Budgets
  9. Acknowledgements

APPENDICES

  1. Roles & Responsibilities
    • Site Partners
    • Network Partners
    • Scientific Advisory Committee
    • Hemispheric Council
    • International & National Councils
    • Executive Office
    • Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
  2. Organizational Chart
  3. Example of a National Council: Canada
 
  
 
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