This project aims to address issues connected to illegal and unsustainable songbird trade that can have devastating impacts on wild songbird populations

This $509,595.37 Project Grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service under the Combating Wildlife Trafficking (CFDA 15.679) federal grant program. The goal of the project is to address issues related to the illegal and unsustainable international trade of songbirds for use in singing competitions in Canada and the Netherlands. The project has four interconnected objectives: 1) understand the regulatory landscape and trade chain for songbird species native to the Guiana Shield and Caribbean regions used in these competitions; 2) research the demand for these songbird species in Canada; and 3) examine the regulatory and demand factors in the Netherlands through collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The project takes an inclusive conservation approach, working with communities to be respectful of diverse cultures, languages, and marginalized groups throughout the research process. The award was made to the Monitor Conservation Research Society, a Canadian non-profit organization focused on wildlife conservation research and protection efforts.

The goal of the project is to ensure that international trade in songbirds for use in singing competitions in canada and the netherlands is not a threat to wild songbirds in the guiana shield and the caribbean. The project has four interconnected objectives: 1) understand the relevant regulatory landscape and international trade chain for songbird species native to the guiana shield and caribbean used in singing competitions in canada 2) understand demand for songbird species native to the guiana shield and the caribbean used in singing competitions in canada and 3) understand the regulatory and demand for songbird species in the netherlands by supporting research with the international fund for animal welfare. To accomplish these objectives the project incorporates research on the human dimensions associated with communities that intersect with the songbird trade to better understand the drivers and mechanisms of international trade and place them within the appropriate cultural frameworks. The project takes an inclusive conservation approach that will work with communities to be conscious and respectful of diverse cultures languages and marginalized groups throughout the research process.