WHSRN Template

Why Join?

WHSRN Sites receive international recognition as major critical habitats for migratory shorebirds. Several grant-making agencies give preference to sites so recognized. See for instance http://birdhabitat.fws.gov/NMBCA/eng_instructions.htm.

Here are some of the other benefits:

-- Assistance in developing broad agreement for management and conservation of the site by all stakeholders and owners.

-- Project development assistance to conduct research, monitoring, land management improvements, training, public outreach or educational activities.

-- Participation in WHSRN networking activities among sites including twinning, personnel exchanges, training, WHSRNews, festivals, tourism, and strategic planning.

-- Site dedication assistance and materials including a 20" x 30" exterior sign, WHSRN brochures (100 free, additional at cost), posters, use of the seven national flags of the participating countries for display during dedication, and other educational/technical materials.

Selection Criteria

To qualify for inclusion in the Network, a site must be of demonstrated importance to shorebirds and have the express agreement of the owners.

1. Importance to shorebirds. Based on peak species counts or on calculated turnover rates, qualifying sites may be in one of the following three categories. These criteria pertain no matter whether the site serves as a breeding, stopover/staging, or “wintering” area.

Sites of Hemispheric Importance:
• at least 500,000 shorebirds annually or
• at least 30% of the biogeographic population for a species

Sites of International Importance
• at least 100,000 shorebirds annually or
• at least 10% of the biogeographic population for a species

Sites of Regional Importance
• at least 20,000 shorebirds annually or
• at least 1% of the biogeographic population for a species

Note: population estimates for many species can be found in Appendix I of the United States Shorebird Conservation Plan.

2. Agreement of the owner(s). Landowners must agree in writing to the following three conditions:

• To make shorebird conservation a priority at the site
• To protect and manage the site for shorebirds
• To update the Network at least annually in the event of changes in the site’s status (boundaries, degree of protection) or the contact information of the person responsible.

Nomination Process

1. The person making the nomination completes a “Site Nomination Form” including the most current shorebird census data, as well as other information about the site to the WHSRN Coordinating Office. This should not be done without the consent of the landowner(s)! Note: Lists of shorebird species for Canada and the U.S. are found on the English language form while those for Latin America are on the Spanish language form.

2. Each landowner submits a letter agreeing to the three conditions, above. Alternatively, groups of landowners may submit a single letter, signed by all. Examples of specific wording from existing sites (such as National Wildlife Refuges) can be supplied on request.

3. WHSRN staff and scientists review the nomination, including the shorebird data, to verify completeness and accuracy, and to ensure that the biological and landowner criteria have been met.

4. The Coordinating Office staff sends the nomination to a review committee from the appropriate WHSRN National or International Council, if such exists, and receives their recommendation within 45 days. (If questions arise, additional information may be requested from the nominators).

5. The completed nomination documents and reviews are sent to the WHSRN Hemispheric Council for final action. This may be done electronically or at the time of a meeting of the Hemispheric Council.

Generally it takes approximately three to six months from the date of submission to the completion of action by the Hemispheric Council. If there is urgency to completing action, this should be explained in a cover letter explaining the situation.

WHSRN,
P.O. Box 1770,
Manomet, MA, 02345 USA
Tel: (508) 224-6521; Fax: (508) 224-9220
WHSRN@Manomet.org