Despite the well-documented importance of northwest mexico for the migration and survival of shorebirds along the pacific americas flyway, this group of birds and the conservation of its habitat in…

Despite the well-documented importance of northwest mexico for the migration and survival of shorebirds along the pacific americas flyway, this group of birds and the conservation of its habitat in this region remain neglected in public policy, management plans, and all other federal, state, or municipal regulations or policies. For that reason, shorebirds and their habitat are exposed to the cumulative impacts caused by, for example, tourism development, recreational activities, water control and irrigation works combined with the continuous pressure and pollution caused by agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture. All of these threats have caused the loss and degradation of some of the regions wetlands, a problem that is most pronounced in the coastal lagoons along the continental coastline because of expansive and intense agricultural development in that region. The outcome of our actions in this project is to protect priority shorebird habitat.to do so, we regularly monitor shorebird populations and their habitats in northwest mexico as a tool to evaluate and adapt wetland conservation and management actions, and collaborate in the implementation of site-specific conservation or restoration initiatives. To facilitate collaboration and stewardship, we maintain data on the status of shorebird populations and habitats which is available and accessible for local, regional, and international use. Specific activities of this project relative to data collection and dissemination include 1) conducting a biannual shorebird survey of 10 priority wetlands; 2) continuing installation of the first collaborative network of motus stations in priority wetlands; and 3) working with federal agencies to review, improve, and revise the recently drafted national action plan for shorebirds and promote its publication and adoption.with the purpose of increasing local stewardship for shorebird conservation in communities adjacent to priority wetlands, we will 1) offer local school teachers, community promoters, park rangers, and volunteers formal and informal opportunities for education and training on shorebird and wetland conservation topics; 2) work with the local university to offer a diploma to conservation practitioners and park rangers on tools to drive behavioral change for the conservation of shorebirds and their habitats; and 3) revise our user-friendly, site-based dashboards that provide easy-to-understand information on shorebird abundance and distribution, population trends, and current or potential threats for use by local communities, agencies, and other stakeholders. Implemented actions will benefit all partners and communities committed to the conservation of shorebirds, including those breeding in the USA, and their habitats along the pacific americas flyway.