Of the world's 264 species of seabirds, 37 percent are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. And within each seabird family, 1 in every 5 species is categorized as threatened. In perhaps the most urgent case, 19 of the world's 21 albatross species are threatened, and the other two species are listed as near-threatened.
Shorebirds are not faring much better. Of the world’s 224 species of shorebirds, 43 are threatened or near-threatened. Of the 31 North American species that rely upon the Pacific coast of the Americas for breeding and wintering habitats, 28 are considered to be declining in population, in large part because about 70 percent of North America's coastal wetlands have been destroyed or dramatically altered.
Recognizing these worrying trends and the fact that, by comparison to many other important environmental movements, there is relatively little funding going towards seabird and shorebird conservation, our Board of Trustees decided in September 2007 to establish a marine birds conservation initiative, with a commitment of at least $5 million per year for, at a minimum, the next 5 years.
Goal
For many years the Packard Foundation has supported various seabird and shorebird conservation efforts. But that
support was usually opportunistic and limited in scope until 2006, when the Board asked its Conservation and Science program to begin exploring more systematically what the primary threats are to marine birds, what opportunities exist to address those threats, and what an increased amount of attention and funding might be able to accomplish.
Seabird and shorebird populations face many threats, but analysis suggests that three leading causes for concern are:
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Reduced breeding productivity caused by invasive species, primarily predators, in seabird breeding areas.
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Higher than normal adult mortality for albatrosses, petrels, and other seabirds resulting from by-catch in longline and other fishing operations.
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Loss and degradation of important habitats, primarily the result of wetland reclamation and human disturbance.
The Marine Bird subprogram seeks to work closely over the next five years with other funding sources to address those threats and to:
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Stabilize and/or restore on specific islands the populations of 10 to 12 threatened and near threatened seabird species.
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Reduce seabird by-catch in 3 to 5 Exclusive Economic Zones.
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Stabilize the populations of 7 to 10 North American shorebird species.
What We Fund
To achieve those goals, the program supports three interrelated grant portfolios:
Island Restoration
We will support efforts to restore island habitats that are important for threatened and near-threatened seabirds (and, to a lesser extent, shorebirds), including identifying islands and seabird populations of greatest concern; the removal of invasive species that have a clear, negative impact on bird populations; and ensuring through active monitoring and management that invasive species are not re-introduced. We anticipate that this Island Restoration portfolio will require the largest share of the overall Marine Birds grant budget.
Seabird By-catch Reduction
Funding will be concentrated on the design, testing, and adoption of new technologies that enable fishing operations to reduce seabird by-catch; and on efforts to introduce or reform enforceable regulations within Exclusive Economic Zones and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.
Shorebird Conservation
The program will focus its support on efforts to protect or restore critical coastal habitats for threatened or near threatened North American shorebird populations. This will include, for example, land acquisitions, water management, and active habitat restoration at specific wetlands, islands, and agricultural areas along the Pacific Flyway.
What We Do Not Fund
While we understand the importance of scientific research, our support for it will be very limited and highly selective.
Geographic Focus
Island Restoration for Seabirds
Islands off the Pacific coast of North America, off the Pacific coast of South America, and in Polynesia and Micronesia will be grantmaking priorities. We will also fund island restoration in other important locations, such as the Caribbean, if funds are available and if particularly compelling opportunities arise.
Seabird By-catch Reduction
Albatrosses and petrels, and associated fisheries, in the Pacific will be of highest priority, although we expect important initiatives in the Atlantic and Indian oceans might also arise.
Shorebird Conservation
The Pacific coasts of North and South America will receive the vast majority of our shorebird-related funding. We have already identified 16 sites of primary importance along this stretch, and 5 sites, in particular, where we will initiate funding.
Information on how to apply for a grant in this subprogram
Photography credits
Top: Bristle-thighed curlew © Dan Ruthraff
Bottom: Bar-tailed godwit © Bob Gill
