Birds Canada warmly welcomes the announcement by the Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (FMCN) of 11 new conservation projects in Mexico, which together will protect more than 115,000 hectares of critical habitat – an area more than 5 times the size of Fundy National Park.
The 11 projects were selected to receive funding as part of the Conserva Aves Initiative, which aims to protect and conserve over 2 million hectares of important bird habitat in Latin America and the Caribbean. Conserva Aves is led by the American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, Birds Canada, BirdLife International, and the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC).
Chosen from a pool of 34 applicants in a national call for community-led proposals to create or expand protected areas for birds in Mexico, these 11 projects represent a strong commitment to conservation. The implementation of these projects is being led by FMCN, in collaboration with Pronatura Sur A. C. and with the support of Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (Conanp).
This week, leaders from all 11 projects converged on Mexico City for a two-day launch workshop hosted by FMCN. Birds Canada’s President & CEO Patrick Nadeau attended and discussed conservation priorities and joint values with project leaders and partners. Reflecting the Government of Canada’s significant support for the Conserva Aves Initiative, through Global Affairs Canada, these projects will help protect migratory birds and their habitats. Representatives from the Canadian Embassy in Mexico were also on hand to celebrate the commitment and leadership of local communities.
Four of the selected projects will be supported through an Equity Fund which is dedicated to empowering Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, and women-led organizations that face systemic barriers to participating in conservation.
Among them is SOS Soluciones in Oaxaca, an organization that works with women and Indigenous leaders, which will work to expand an existing protected area and establish four new ones, safeguarding 20,500 hectares of bird habitat.
These protected areas provide refuge both for at-risk birds endemic to Mexico, such as the Rose-bellied Bunting found only in the Isthmus region of southern Mexico, as well as for migratory species from Canada, including the Chestnut-collared Longspur that spend the non-breeding season in the desert grasslands of northern Mexico.
“Today’s positive announcement in Mexico shows what’s possible when global collaboration uplifts local voices. Birds like the Rufous Hummingbird don’t recognize borders, and neither should conservation. I’m proud to see this collaboration taking shape and the role that Canada is playing to protect nature at home and abroad.”
-Patrick Nadeau, President & CEO, Birds Canada.
“I am deeply grateful to the organizations that applied and today reaffirm their commitment to Conserva Aves. This workshop is not only the official welcome to the initiative, but also the starting point for joint work in favor of conservation. On behalf of RedLAC, I extend special recognition to the ejidatarios and communal authorities who join us: your active participation is essential to ensure that Conserva Aves in Mexico is truly grounded in the territory and in local communities.”
-Cecilia Vides, Regional Coordinator of the Conserva Aves Initiative at the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC).
“The Government of Canada is proud to support the Conserva Aves initiative, which includes a comprehensive strategy to address biodiversity loss and climate change through the creation and expansion of Protected Areas for the benefit of birds, biodiversity, and local communities.“
-Susan Pereverzoff, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of Canada in Mexico
From left to right_ Cecilia Vides – RedLAC, Susan Pereverzoff – Embassy of Canada in Mexico, Patrick Nadeau – Birds Canada, Emilio Aristegui – Conservation Council for Latin America, Renée González Montagut – Mexico.
Rose-bellied bunting, endemic to Mexico. Youssif Attia for Birds Canada.