THE EXPLOITATION OF ORGANISMS IS RECOGNIZED AS A SIGNIFICANT DRIVER OF NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON NATURE WITH WILDLIFE TRADE BEING A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA CITES PROVIDES A POLICY FRAMEWORK BUT BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION EXIST AT NATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS THE PROJECT SEEKS TO CONVENE AND SUPPORT STAKEHOLDERS IN THE GUIANA SHIELD ACCELERATING CONSERVATION INTERVENTIONS SONGBIRDS COMPRISING 60 PERCENTAGE OF ALL BIRD SPECIES ARE UNDULY IMPACTED BY TRADE WITH A RECENT META ANALYSIS SHOWING A 62 PERCENTAGE DECLINE IN THE ABUNDANCE OF TRADED SPECIES BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL A GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY ON BIRDS COLLABORATES WITH THE SPECIES CONSERVATION CATALYST FUND SCCF TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES THE PROJECT AIMS TO ENHANCE COLLABORATION AMONG SCCF AWARD RECIPIENTS STRENGTHEN THEIR CAPACITY AND RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS TO REDUCE ILLEGAL AND UNSUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL SONGBIRD TRADE THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES INCLUDE BUILDING A MODEL FOR SYSTEMS THINKING AVOIDING PROJECT DUPLICATION FOR THE SKILLS OF RECIPIENT INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND FOSTERING BROADER REGIONAL GLOBAL COORDINATION THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COLLECTIVE STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE THE THREATS POSED BY WILDLIFE TRADE TO SONGBIRD SPECIES THROUGH VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON RETREATS TO ENHANCE CAPACITIES AND LONG TERM RESULTS.