Index

I. Introduction...3
II. WhosWhoCompendium.....5
III. InstitutionalMap.10
IV. PrimarySources...17
V. ParallelReadingsforPrimarySources38
VI. SecondarySources...62
VII. ParallelReadingforSecondarySources.77
VIII. Glossary...91
IX. Webliograpgy105

Introduction

Whenallthetreeshavebeencutdown,whenalltheanimalshavebeenhunted,when

allthewatersarepolluted,whenalltheairisunsafetobreathe,onlythenwillyou

discoveryoucannoteatmoney.CreeIndianProverb
Canada,theUnitedStatesandMexicohavemoreincommonthanwhatmeetsthe

eye. Yes, there is immigration, drug and gun trafficking, NAFTA and many more

evidentissues.Whatisnotselfevidentisthefactthatthesethreecountriesshareawide

arrayofendemicbiodiversity.Whatisevenlessobviousisthefactthatagreatpotionof

this unique biodiversity is in dire conditions. If nothing is done, the world will be

deprivedofmarvelouslivingbeingsthatcanonlybefoundinthenorthernregionofthe

Americanhemisphere.

Eachdaytherearemorepeopletalkingaboutrenewableenergy,conservationand

protectionofwildlife,climatechangeandsoforth.UniversitieslikeStanford,Harvard,

andYaleareofferingdegreesinenvironmentalpolicyandinternationaldevelopment,

renewableenergy,socialentrepreneurshipandevenexecutiveprogramsfornonprofit

leaders.Foranyinterpreterortranslatorabasicknowledgeofthesenewareasof

studywillbeasimportantashavinganelementaryconnaissanceineconomy.

Thisthematicreferencepackagewillfocusonkeyterminologies,important

playersandprincipalinstitutionsinvolvedintheconservationandprotectionofwildlife

throughoutCanada,theUnitedStatesandMexico.

Twomainsourcesofinformationcanbefoundinthisthematicreference

package;therewillbematerialprovidedbyseveralgovernmentalagenciesandafew

InternationalCommissionsdedicatedtotheprotectionandconservationofwildlife.

Thereisawidearrayofinformation,howeverIhavefoundthatitiseasierto

locate and access information provided by the different commissions than by

governmental agencies. The information displayed by the latter sources tends to be

generalizedanddigestiblewhichisgoodforgettingageneralideaofthesubjectin

question.Mostofthegovernmentalagencieshavedirectlinksthattakethereadertothe

2
appropriatecommission.Theinformationprovidedbythedifferentcommissionstends

tobespecificthusprovingabroadvocabularyandawidebodyofinformation.

Manydifficultieslayintopicsthathavetodowithwildlife;averyspecificlingo

isused.Therearewordsthatinanyothercontextcouldbeconsideredsynonymsbut

whendealingwithwildlifetheyhaveaslightdifference.Anexampleofthisisthe

common phrase that is always used in this area of study: Conservation and

Preservation.Tomostpeoplethesewordshavethesamemeaning,howeverinthis

contextconservationreferstotheacceptanceofthefactthatchangeandprogression

arenecessaryforabetterfuture,butonlywhenthechangestakeplaceinwaysthatare

notwasteful.Preservation,ontheotherhand,involvesattemptstomaintain,intheir

presentcondition,areasoftheEarththataresofaruntouchedby humans. 1 Ihave

foundoutthatinthiscontextImustrememberthedifferentconnotationofthesewords.

WhosWhoCompendium

Inthissectionyouwillfindkeyindividualsthathelpshapepoliciesinregardstothe

1 http://www.sustainable-environment.org.uk/Earth/Conservation_and_Preservation.php

3
topic being discussed. I will mention 2 3 of the most important people of 5

organizations.ThephoneticspellingofthenameswillbeprovidedcourtesyofThe

VoiceofAmericawebsite(http://pronounce.voanews.com/index.php).Aphotograph

tobetteridentifythedecisionmakerswillalsobemadeavailable.

I) U.SFishandWildlifeService

DanielM.Ashe
Pronounciation:dahnYEHLHAHshe
DirectoroftheUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService

RobertJohansson
Pronounciation:rhobertJouhanssun
ActingChiefEconomist

PeterFeather
Pronounciation:peeterfEHdher

AgriculturalLaborAffairsCoordinator

II) SEMARNAT SecretaradeMedioAmbienteyRecursosNaturales(Spanish)

(Mexico)

4
 SEMARNAT
JuanJosGuerraAbud
Pronounciation:HhuuanhoZAYabhud
SecretaryofEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesofMexico
Mexico

CuauhtmocOchoaFernndez
Pronounciation:kuhauhtEmokOochoaFErnAndeZ
UndersecretaryofEnvironmentalPromotionandRegulationoftheEnvironmentand
NaturalResourcesSecretaryofMexico

RafaelPaccianoAlamn
Pronounciation:RafaElPahchianoAlamAn
UndersecretaryofDevelopmentandEnvironmentalRegulation

5
III) EnvironmentCanada

EnvironmentCanada
MinisterTheHonourableLeonaAglukkaq
Pronouniation:leeOHnunhglueka
Canada

RonHallman
Pronounciation:RonhhaLman
CanadianEnvironmentalAssessmentAgency(CEAA)President

AlanLatourelle
Pronounciation:AlanLAterEll
ParksCanadaCEO

6
IV) CECCommissionfortheEnvironmentalCooperation

EnvironmentCanada
MinisterTheHonourableLeonaAglukkaq
Pronouniation:leeOHnunhglueka
Canada

SEMARNAT
JuanJosGuerraAbud
Pronounciation:HhuuanhoZAYabhud
SecretaryofEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesofMexico
Mexico

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
ReginaGinaMcCarthy
Pronounciation:muhKAHRthee

7
 AdministratorfortheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
V) CanadaUSMexicoTrilateralCommittee

UnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService
DanielM.Ashe
Pronounciation:dahnYEHLHAHshe
DirectoroftheUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService

SEMARNAT
JuanJosGuerraAbud
Pronounciation:HhuuanhoZAYabhud
SecretaryofEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesofMexico

EnvironmentCanada
MinisterTheHonourableLeonaAglukkaq
Pronouniation:leeOHnunhglueka

Canada

8
InstitutionalMap

In this section you will find a map of the 13 primary institutions involved in the
conservationandpreservationonmigratorybirds.ThereisanarrayofCanadian,U.S.
and Mexican insitutions. You will also find cometees and commissions that are
conformedagroupinstitutionsfromthe3countriesmentionedabove.

I)U.SFishandWildlifeService

TheU.SFishandWildlifeServiceisamongtheoldestintheworlddedicatedto
naturalresourceconservation.Youcan traceitshistorybackto1871 andthe
U.S.CommissiononFishandFisheriesintheDepartmentofCommerceandthe
Division of Economic Ornithology and mammalogy in the Department of
Agriculture.
U.SFishandWildlifeServiceisabureauwithintheDepartmentoftheInterior.
ThemainobjectivesoftheU.SFishandWildlifeServiceare:
1) Assistinthedevelopmentandapplicationofanenvironmentalstewardship
ethicforoursociety,basedonecologicalprinciples,scientificknowledgeof
fishandwildlife,andasenseofmoralresponsibility.
2) Guidetheconservation,development,andmanagementoftheNation'sfish
andwildliferesources.
3) Administeranationalprogramtoprovidethepublicopportunitiesto
understand,appreciate,andwiselyusefishandwildliferesources.
Functions.HereareafewofthewaystheU.SFishandWildlifeServicetriesto
meettheirmission:
Enforcefederalwildlifelaws,
Protectendangeredspecies,
Managemigratorybirds,
Restorenationallysignificantfisheries,
Conserveandrestorewildlifehabitatsuchaswetlands,
Helpforeigngovernmentswiththeirinternationalconservationefforts.
DanielM.Asheisthe16thDirectoroftheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.

9
II)USDAUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture

In2012,USDAcommemoratedandcelebratedits150thanniversary.Founded
in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress
establishingtheUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture.
Twoandonehalfyearslater,inwhatwouldbehisfinalannualmessagetothe
Congress;LincolncalledUSDA"ThePeople'sDepartment."Atthattime,about
halfofallAmericanslivedonfarms,comparedwithabout2percenttoday.But
throughitsworkonfood,agriculture,economicdevelopment,science,natural
resourceconservationandahostofissues,USDAstillfulfillsLincoln'svision
touchingthelivesofeveryAmerican,everyday.

Missionstatement
TheUSDAprovidesleadershiponfoods,agriculture,naturalresources,
ruraldevelopment,nutritionandrelatedissuesbasedonsoundpublic
policy,thebestavailablescienceandavailablemanagement.

VisionStatement
To expand economic opportunity through innovation; helping rural
Americatothrivetopromoteagriculturepromotionsustainabilitythat
betternourishesAmericanswhilealsohelpingfeedothersthroughoutthe
world; and to conserve and preserve our Nations natural resources
through restored forests, improved watersheds and healthy private
workinglands.

III)EPAUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency

Borninthewakeofelevatedconcernaboutenvironmentalpollution,EPAwas
establishedonDecember1970toconsolidateinoneagencyavarietyoffederal
research, monitoring, standardsetting and enforcement activities to ensure
environmentalprotection.

EPA'spurposeistoensurethat:
AllAmericansareprotectedfromsignificantriskstohumanhealthandthe
environmentwheretheylive,learnandwork;
Nationaleffortstoreduceenvironmentalriskarebasedonthebestavailable
scientificinformation;
Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced

10
 fairlyandeffectively;
Environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies
concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy,
transportation,agriculture,industry,andinternationaltrade,andthesefactors
aresimilarlyconsideredinestablishingenvironmentalpolicy;
Allpartsofsocietycommunities,individuals,businesses,andstate,local
andtribalgovernmentshaveaccesstoaccurateinformationsufficientto
effectivelyparticipateinmanaginghumanhealthandenvironmentalrisks;
Environmental protection contributes to making our communities and
ecosystemsdiverse,sustainableandeconomicallyproductive;and
TheUnitedStatesplaysaleadershiproleinworkingwithothernationsto
protecttheglobalenvironment.
GinaMcCarthyisthecurrentadministratoroftheEPA.Shewasappointedas
EPAAdministratorbyPresidentObamainJuly2013

IV) SEMARNAT Secretara de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Spanish)

(Mexico)
TheSecretariatofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(SEMARNAT)isthe
federal agency responsible for promoting the protection, restoration and
conservationofecosystems,naturalresources,environmentalgoodsandservices
inMexico,inordertopromotetheirsustainableuseanddevelopment.
Tofulfillthismandate,SEMARNAT,threeundersecretariesandvarious
decentralizedbodiesthatarepartoftheFederalEnvironmentalSector,working
infourpriorityareas:
Theconservationandsustainableuseofecosystemsandbiodiversity.
Thepreventionandcontrolofpollution.
Theintegratedmanagementofwaterresources.
Thefightagainstclimatechange.
JuanJosGuerra Abud is thecurrent SecretaryofEnvironmentandNatural
Resources.

V)CONABIO ComisinNacionalparaelConocimientoyusodelaBiodiversidad

11
(Spanish)(Mexico)
The National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity
(CONABIO)isacommissioncreatedin1992.
CONABIOperformsitsdutiesthroughataskforcethatsinceitsinceptionhas
beenledbyDr.JoseSarukhanKermez,NationalCoordinator.
CONABIO'smissionistopromote,coordinate,supportandcarryoutactivities
aimedatknowledgeofbiologicaldiversityanditsconservationandsustainable
useforthebenefitofsociety.CONABIOwasconceivedasanappliedresearch
organization, which promotes basic research, which compiles and generates
informationonbiodiversity,develophumancapacitiesintheareaofbiodiversity
informaticsandispubliclyaccessiblesourceofinformationandknowledgefor
thewholesociety.

VI)SNIBSistemaNacionaldeInformacinsobreBiodiversidadenMxico(Spanish)

ThemissionofTheNationalInformationSystemonBiodiversity(SNIB)isto
achieve the compilation and synthesis of information on biodiversity and
biologicalresourcesinMexico.ThepurposeofSNIBistoestablishanational
inventory of species and advise on biological diversity to the governmental,
socialandprivatesectors.
TheelementsthatconstitutetheSNIBarealldatabasesprovidedbyprojects
supportedbyCONABIO.
DatabasesthatbelongtoSNIBandthatformpartoftheREMIB(TheWorld
InformationNetworkOnBiodiversity)gothroughaprocessofvalidatingthe
informationbeforebeingputonlineforpublicconsultation.Itisnoteworthythat
theveracityandupdatingofinformationistheresponsibilityofthecuratorof
thedatabase(project).
TheconsolidationofSNIBhasbroadimplicationsforthebenefitofscientific
research. In this sense, the REMIB serves as the portal through which this
informationisavailabletothedifferentgovernmentagencies,NGOs,academia
andthegeneralpublic.
Dr.PatriciaKoleffOsorioistheGeneralCoordinatorofSNIB.

VII)EnvironmentCanada/CanadianWildlifeService(Canada)

At Environment Canada (EC), our business is protecting the environment,

12
 conserving the country's natural heritage, and providing weather and
meteorologicalinformationtokeepCanadiansinformedandsafe.
EnvironmentCanada'smandateisto
Preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment, including
water,air,soil,floraandfauna;
ConserveCanada'srenewableresources;
ConserveandprotectCanada'swaterresources;
Forecast daily weather conditions and warnings, and provide detailed
meteorologicalinformationtoallofCanada;
Enforcerulesrelatingtoboundarywaters;and
Coordinateenvironmentalpoliciesandprogramsforthefederalgovernment.
LeonaAglukkaqisthe MinisteroftheEnvironment,MinisteroftheCanadian
NorthernEconomicDevelopmentAgencyandMinisterfortheArcticCouncil

VIII)CWFCanadianWildlifeFederation

TheCanadianWildlifeFederationbelievesinconservingCanadaswildlifeand
encourages the wise use of our natural resources. We believe in living
sustainablyforfuturegenerations.
Sinceits inceptionin 1962,theCanadianWildlifeFerderationhas delivered
programsthatencouragepeopletoexperiencethegreatoutdoors,learnaboutthe
wondersofnatureandthetrialsitfaces.
TheCanadianWildlifeFerderationalsochallengesgovernmentandindustryto
improvelegislationandpracticesthatnegativelyimpactwildlifeandhabitat.
TheCanadianWildlifeFerderationconducsandsponsorsscientificresearchto
helpbetterunderstandhowitmayhelpwildlife.

Mission
TheCanadianWildlifeFederationsmissionistoconserveandinspirethe
conservationofCanadaswildlifeandhabitatsfortheuseandenjoymentof
all.

Vision
CWF will be the recognized leader in wildlife conservation by making
wildlifeapartofthevaluesystemofeveryCanadian.

Values
The Canadian Wildlife Federation conducts its activities through a
cooperativeapproachworkingwithpeople,corporations,nongovernment

13
 organizations,andgovernmentstoinspirecollaborationinachievingwildlife
conservation.Wewillusethebestavailablesciencebasedinformationto
developourpolicies,programsandcommunications.CWFpridesitselfin
beingaccountableandtransparentinfulfillingourmission.
IX)CECCommissionfortheEnvironmentalCooperation
Threecountriesworkingtogethertoprotectoursharedenvironment
Since 1994, Canada, Mexico and the United States have collaborated in
protecting North America's environment through the North American
AgreementonEnvironmentalCooperation(NAAEC).
TheNAAECcameintoforceatthesametimeastheNorthAmericanFreeTrade
Agreement(NAFTA)andmarksacommitmentthatliberalizationoftradeand
economic growth in North America would be accompanied by effective
cooperation and continuous improvement in the environmental protection
providedbyeachcountry.
TheNAAECestablishedanintergovernmentalorganizationtheCommission
for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) tosupport cooperation among the
NAFTA partners to address environmental issues of continental concern,
including the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by
continentwidefreetrade.
The CEC comprises a Council, a Secretariat and a Joint Public Advisory
Committee.The Council is the governing body of the Commission and
comprises cabinetlevel or equivalent representatives of each country. The
Secretariat provides technical, administrative and operational support to the
Council.
TheCouncilistheCEC'sgoverningbodyandiscomposedofthehighestlevel
environmentalauthorities(cabinetlevelorequivalent)fromCanada,Mexico,
andtheUnitedStates.
TheCounciloverseestheimplementationoftheNorthAmericanAgreementon
EnvironmentalCooperation(NAAEC)andservesasaforumforthediscussion
ofenvironmentalmatterswithinthescopeoftheAgreement.

Mission
TheCommissionforEnvironmentalCooperationfacilitatescollaboration
and public participation to foster conservation, protection and

14
 enhancement of the North American environment for the benefit of
presentandfuturegenerations,inthecontextofincreasingeconomic,
trade,andsociallinksamongCanada,Mexico,andtheUnitedStates

CouncilMembers:
Canada
LeonaAglukkaq

InJuly2013,Ms.AglukkaqwasappointedMinisteroftheEnvironment,
MinisteroftheCanadianNorthernEconomicDevelopmentAgencyand

MinisterfortheArcticCouncil.
Mexico
JuanJosGuerraAbud
As of December 2012, Mr. Guerra Abud serves as the Secretary of
EnvironmentandNaturalResources.
UnitedStatesofAmerica
GinaMcCarthy
TheCECCouncilmemberfromtheUnitedStatesisGinaMcCarthy,
appointedasEPAAdministratorbyPresidentObamainJuly2013.

X)CanadaUSMexicoTrilateralCommittee

In1996,thewildlifeconservationagenciesoftheUnitedStates,Mexico,and
Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the
Canada/Mexico/US Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem
ConservationandManagement(TrilateralCommittee).
TheTrilateralCommitteefacilitatesandenhancescooperationandcoordination
amongthewildlifeagenciesofthethreenationsinprojectsandprogramsforthe
conservation and management of wildlife, plants, biological diversity, and
ecosystemsofmutualinterest.
The Trilateral Committee implements the conservation priorities of each
country;develops,reviews,andcoordinatesspecificcooperativeactions;and
facilitatescommunicationonissuesthatspaninternationalborders.Itfacilitates
thedevelopmentofprogramsandprojectsforconservationandmanagementof
biologicaldiversityandecosystemsofmutualinterest.

15
 Annual meetings are held where more than 150 experts from more than 50
agenciesandorganizationsincludingNGOsandstateagenciesfromthethree
countriesaddressabroadarrayofbiodiversityissues.

The directors of the Canadian Wildlife Service, The U.S Fish and Wildlife
Service and The Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
(SEMARNAT)headtheTrilateralCommittee.

XI)NRDCNaturalRecourcesDefenseCouncil

NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the
grassroots power of more than 2 million members and online activists with the
courtroomcloutandexpertiseofnearly500lawyers,scientistsandotherprofessionals.

Protectingourland,air,andwatersince1970.

InthesameyearthatgavebirthtoEarthDayandthemodernenvironmentalmovement,
fiveidealisticyoungattorneysbandedtogethertoprotectthenation'spreciousresources
andwildlife.Determinedtoovercometheforcesofpollutionandcorporategreed,they
calledthemselvestheNaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil.
Four and a half decades later, NRDC is the powerhouse of the environmental
movement.Employingnearly500scientists,lawyers,andpolicyexpertsbackedby1.4
millionmembersandonlineactivists,wefightfortheplanetanditspeopleinthehalls
ofCongress,communitiesacrossthecountry,andnationsaroundtheglobe.
Thisoncetinybandoflawyershasbecomeaforcefornatureandaforceforgood,
withahistoryofsuccess,unmatchedexpertise,andanunshakeablefocusonbuildinga
betterfuture.

WeDefend
Cleanairandcleanwaterarebasichumanrights,alongwithasafefoodsupplyand
healthycommunitiesinwhichtoraiseourfamilies.Yetthebedrockenvironmentallaws
thatprotecttheminthiscountrylawsoftenpioneeredbyNRDCareunderconstant
attack.Ourorganizationstandsasashieldagainsttheagendaofbigpollutersandthe
politiciansintheirpockets.

16
 WeProtect
FromAlaska'spristinewaterstoPatagonia'smajesticmountains,theearth'slastwild
placesandthepeople,plants,andanimalsthatrelyonthemneedprotection.NRDC
has built an effective, modern, powerful organization to battle for those precious
resources.Likeafiercemamabear,wewillneverbackdownfromfightingthefights
thataretooimportanttolose.

XII)PartnersInFlight

PartnersinFlight/CompaerosenVuelo/PartenairesdEnvolwaslaunchedin1990in
response to growing concerns about declines in the populations of many land bird
species.Theinitialfocuswasonneotropicalmigrants,speciesthatbreedintheNearctic
(NorthAmerica)andwinterintheNeotropics(CentralandSouthAmerica),butthe
focushasspreadtoincludealllandbirds.ThecentralpremiseofPartnersinFlight(PIF)
has been that the resources of public and private organizations in the Western
Hemispheremustbecombined,coordinated,andincreasedinordertoachievesuccess
inconservingbirdpopulationsinthishemisphere.
PartnersinFlightisacooperativeeffortinvolvingpartnershipsamongfederal,stateand
local government agencies, philanthropic foundations, professional organizations,
conservationgroups,industry,theacademiccommunity,andprivateindividuals.All
Partners in Flight meetings at all levels are open to anyone interested in bird
conservationandweeagerlyseekyourcontribution.

PARTNERSINFLIGHTMISSION
ThePartnersinFlightmissionisexpressedinthreerelatedconcepts:
1 HelpingSpeciesatRiskSpeciesmustbeconservedbeforetheybecomeimperiled.
Allowingspeciestobecomethreatenedorendangeredresultsinlongtermandcostly
recoveryeffortswhosesuccessisfarfromguaranteed.Endangeredspeciesmustnot
onlybeprotectedfromextinctionbutmustberecoveredtoonceagainplaytheirrolesin
ensuringthefutureofhealthyecosystems.

2 KeepingCommonBirdsCommonCommonnativebirds,bothresidentandmigratory,
mustremaincommonthroughouttheirnaturalranges.Thesespeciescomprisethecore

17
 ofouraviandiversityandareintegraltotheintegrityoftheecosystemsofwhichthey
areapart.

3 VoluntaryPartnershipsforBirds,HabitatsandPeopleConservationoflandbirdsand
theirhabitatsisnotataskthatcanbeundertakenalone.Partnershipsmustbeformed
withotherswhoareworkingforconservationonthesamelandscapesaswellasthose
who depend on those landscapes for their economic and social wellbeing. The
conservationofnaturalsystemsisfundamentallynecessaryforlifeonearth,including
thatofhumans.
PrimarySources

Thissectioncomposedof20pagesfrommaterialprovidedbythesourceslistedabove.
Themainpurposeofthesesourcesistoprovidebasicknowledgeoftermsandideas
usedinthisspecificcontext.Aparallelreadingwillbeprovidedforallprimarysources
collected.Theparallelreadingswillbeavailableinthesectionnamedparallelreading
ofprimarysources

I)CEC

Themonarchbutterfly(DanausplexippusL.)maybethemostwellknownbutterflyin
theworld.ThemigrationsofmonarchbutterfliesinNorthAmericatooverwintering
sites in Mexico and California are among the most spectacular and unusual of the
worldsnaturalevents.However,habitatlossanddegradationposethreatstoboththe
eastern andwestern migratorypopulations ofNorthAmericanmonarchs throughout
their annual cycle of breeding, migrating and overwintering. The decline of the
migratoryphenomenoniscertainunlessthesethreatsareaddressed.

Monarchs depend upon a wide range of habitats in Canada, the United States and
Mexico, thus conservation of their migratory phenomenon requires trilateral
cooperation.TheNorthAmericanMonarchConservationPlan(NAMCP)isintendedto
providealongtermcooperativeagendaforconservationofthemonarchbutterfly.

9CURRENTFACTORSCAUSINGLOSSORDECLINE

18
9.1BreedingHabitatLossandDegradation

A2000studyoftheuseofagriculturalhabitatsbymonarchssuggestedthatupto70%
ofmonarchsthatmigratedtoMexicomayhavefedonmilkweedinagroecosystems
(Oberhauseretal.2001).Asagriculturalpracticeshavechangedsincethe2000study
was conducted, monarch use of agricultural habitat is currently likely to be less
widespread. Most soybeans and a large portion of the corn currently grown in the
United States are genetically modified to allow postemergence applications of
glyphosate(Roundup)(James2001,USDA2007),whichresultsinfieldswithfewer
milkweedandotherweeds.While Asclepiassyriaca cansurvivethetillingthatwas
formerlyusedtocontrolweedsinmostsoybeanandcornfields,itisunabletoendure
repeatedapplicationofglyphosate.Additionally,suburbanizationofagriculturalland
results in extensive habitat loss; some estimates suggest the loss of 2400 or more
hectaresofopenspace(bothagriculturallandandnaturalareas)perdaytodevelopment
(an annual loss of 876,000 hectares/year) (NRCS 2001, American Farmland Trust
2007).

CornthatisgeneticallymodifiedtocontainaBttoxin(fromthebacterium Bacillus
thuringiensis)canresultindecreasedinsecticideuse,sincethecornitselfproducesa
proteinthatistoxictoamajorpest,theEuropeancornborer.Adecreaseininsecticide
applicationswillbenefitawidevarietyofnonpestinsects,includingmonarchs.Bt
producingcornwasstudiedasapotentialrisktomonarchs,sincetoxicpollenfromthe
cornmaybeblownontomilkweedplantsandconsumedbymonarchlarvae(Loseyet
al.1999,HansenJesseandObrycki2000).Whilerecentstudiesindicatethatpollenand
anthers from Btcorn affect monarch larva survival and development (Dively et al.
2004,Andersonetal.2004),overallconclusionsarethattheeffectsofcurrentBtcorn
varietiesononarchpopulationsrangefromnotsignificanttonegligible(Searsetal.
2001,Divelyetal.2004,Andersonetal.2005).Additionally,thelackofmilkweedin
and near cornfields due to widespread use of herbicidetolerant crops has further
decreasedtheriskfromBtcorn.

Roadsidesonceconstitutedasmall,butsignificant,portionofmonarchhabitat.Dueto
herbicideapplicationandmowing,thesehbitatshavemainlychangedtograsslands

19
containing few flowering plants, and thus provide poorerquality wildlife habitat.
Additionally, milkweed is considered a noxious species in some areas, resulting
ineradicationefforts.

InsomeareasacrossNorthAmerica,milkweedplantsarealsobeingseverelydamaged
byozonepollution.Commonmilkweedisparticularlysensitivetoozonedamage,which
ismanifestedbysharplydefined,smalldotlikelesions,calledstipples,ontheupper
surfacesoftheleaves(BennettandStalte1985).Incasesofsevereozonedamage,the
leavesmayexhibitlargedarkareasontheupperleafsurfaceasthemarkingsblend
together.Theimpactofozonedamageonmonarchlarvaeisnotknown.

Other anthropogenic factors, such as elevated carbon dioxide, may also affect
milkweeds.Thus,humanactivitiesmaybechangingthedistributionandabundanceof
milkweedsinwaysthatareasyetnotunderstood.

Most of the focus on breeding habitat is in the United States and Canada, since
monarchsthatmigratetotheoverwinteringsitesinMexicoandCaliforniacomefrom
theselocations.However,therearesmalllocalmonarchpopulationsinMexico.The
milkweedusedbytheselocalpopulationsissubjecttoherbicideapplications,especially
inareaswherecattlegraze.Additionally,theriparianhabitatinwhichmilkweedgrows
is threatened by deforestation or land change (Eneida Montesinos, personal
communication).

9.2 Wintering Habitat Loss and Degradation

9.2.1 Mexico

Several researchers have documented loss of Mexican overwintering

habitat. Brower et al. (2002) used aerial photographs from 1971, 1984
and 1999 to document increasing rates of forest degradation (in and
near the area protected by the 1986 decree) over the two time
intervals between the photographs (annual rates of 1.7% from 1971
to 1984, and 2.4% from 1984 to 1999). The latter rate was slightly
higher in the area protected by the 1986 decree. Considering only the
mountainous relief of a similar study area, Ramirez et al. (2003) found

20
an annual disturbance rate of 1.3% and annual land use change of
0.1%. Both analyses covered only three of the five sanctuaries
protected. Ramirez et al. (2006) used satellite images from 1986 to
2006 to document an accumulated loss and disturbance of 10,500
hectares of forested land from the MBBR (as defined by the 2000
decree), equivalent to one-fifth of the entire area currently protected.

Since 2001, WWF-Mexico and the Mexican Nature Conservation Fund

(FMCN) have annually monitored forest loss in the core and buffer
areas of the MBBR, and have reported losses of over 560 hectares in a
single year (from 2005 to 2006) (Ramirez and Zubieta 2005, WWF
2004, 2006). Illegal logging activities have been responsible for most
of the deforestation documented, but subsistence-farming activities
are also a concern (WWF 2004). Although the MBBR has official
protected status, the land is divided into more than 100 private
properties.

(70% under communal regimes). Thus forest conservation and forest

disturbance are related to property boundaries rather than to official
protection limits, and show a high concentration of disturbance in
about a dozen properties (Ramirez et al. 2006).

Annual monitoring results are reported to the governors of the states

of Michoacan and Mexico, and the Mexican Ministry of Environment
and Natural Resources (Semarnat). Under strong pressure from
President Felipe Calderon, the Mexican government has shut down
illegal sawmills and charged people with crimes associated with illegal
logging. The 20062007 forest cover assessment indicated a decrease
in the rate of forest loss and deterioration in the core area of the
MBBR, which could be the result of the current Mexican presidential
policy of zero tolerance to illegal logging. Future assessments will
provide a test of this policy.

There is increasing evidence that diversion of water for human use

could result in severe degradation of the overwintering sites.

21
Successive years have resulted in the installation of increasing
numbers of plastic pipes that divert water out of the overwintering
forests for human and domestic animal use. For example, in the Ojo
de Agua ravine on the south face of Cerro Pelon, water has been
diverted to the extent that the streambed is dry for more than a
kilometer. Monarchs fly down that ravine for more than two kilometers
to obtain water farther downstream (L. Brower, personal
communication). Increasing distances to water will presumably result
in increased consumption of the lipids that keep the butterflies alive
through the winter.

Potential biological causes of habitat degradation include the dwarf

mistletoe (Arceuthobium abietis religiosae) and insects, particularly
bark beetles, although the long-term impacts of infestations with
either of these are poorly understood. Some researchers have
estimated that approximately 5,000 hectares of oyamel fir (Abies
religiosa) have different levels of mistletoe infection, and suggest that
management strategies to manage these outbreaks need to be
addressed (Hoth 1993).

Forest fires in the MBBR cause both habitat loss and direct impacts on
monarchs if they occur during the overwintering period. Smoke
disturbs the roosting butterflies, making them fly off of their roosting
sites. Fires are most common in the MBBR buffer zone and near
towns, where agricultural practices include burning to clear land for
crops and grazing. Recent data show surface areas of 616 and 342
hectares burned in 2003 and 2005, respectively, with a low of 76
hectares in 2007. There were 27 fires in 2007, 11 and 16 in the states
of Mexico and Michoacan, respectively (F. Martinez, personal
communication), and local community members are involved in many
aspects of fire prevention and combat.

Finally, high numbers of tourists and degradation of the overwintering

environment due to poorly-regulated visits may be harming monarchs

22
(Brenner and Hubert 2006, Carlos Galindo-Leal, personal
communication). For the past thirty years, tourism to the
overwintering sites in Mexico has been increasing. At present, there
are between 100,000 and 150,000 visitors every year, most of them
concentrated in the Sierra El Campanario Sanctuary (El Rosario Ejido),
during the weekends of December through March. In spite of thirty
years of experience, tourism continues to be poorly organized. Ejidos
with tourism activity lack business plans and do not reinvest income
on maintenance or capacity building activities. At present, there is no
formal assessment of the impacts of tourism, but there are several
indications that tourists are having negative impacts.

Currently, Conanp and the Department of Tourism are taking steps

aimed at mitigating and preventing impacts of tourism on the
sanctuaries, through infrastructure development, local capacity-
building, public awareness, and posting of signs.

Through a variety of crowd control techniques, local guides protect

the butterflies in areas that receive high numbers of visitors but the
process of getting the tourists to the sitesoften, in the Sierra
Chincua Sanctuary, by means of horsebackleads to trail degradation
and erosion, and extremely dusty conditions that can lead to blocked
spiracles (air passages) and butterfly suffocation (K. Oberhauser,
personal observation). Food and handicraft shops in El Rosario and
Chincua take up more and more area and produce more garbage.
Increased firewood-harvesting to support small restaurants may be
harming endemic junipers and other native plants. Tourists and horses
are dispersing invasive plants, particularly the weed Acaena elongate
(family Rosaceae), known in Mexico as pegarropa (which means
adheres to cloth) due to the velcro-like quality of the seeds, and
possibly disturbing the butterflies with noise and increased carbon
dioxide levels. Brenner and Hubert (2006) suggest that there is a
serious problem of coordination of tourism activities. Neither policies
oriented to different target tourist groups nor a comprehensive visitor

23
management plan have been developed, resulting in services and
products that are the same low quality for everyone and that do not
take into consideration the expectations and financial means of
different ecotourism segments (Brenner and Hubert 2006).

9.2.2 California

There has been extensive loss of wintering habitat in California, with a

decline from 1990 to 1998 of over 12% in the number of wintering
habitats available to monarchs (Meade 1999, Frey and Schaffner
2004). Factors that have resulted in the loss of appropriate habitat
include tree growth that results in increased shading, and tree loss
due to factors such as senescence, diseases, and commercial and
municipal development (Meade 1999, Leong et al. 2004). Monarch
habitat has also been destroyed in California by monarch-focused
recreational activities. For example, a famous overwintering site at
Pacific Grove wasdestroyedwhenamotelwasbuiltamongthebutterflytreesto
accommodatevisitorstothesite(Lane1993).

9.3DiseaseandParasites

Monarchsareaffectedbyavarietyofinfectiousdiseasescausedbyviruses,bacteria,
fungi,protozoans,nematodesandmites.Theyarealsoheavilypreyeduponbyanumber
ofpredatorsandparasitoids.

9.3.1Parasitoids

Parasitoids are insects that deposit eggs in oron other insects. The larvae of these
specieseattheirhostsfromtheinside,andgenerallyemergefromthecarcassofalarva,
pupaoradult.Parasitoidsthatconsumemonarchlarvaeincludebothfliesandwasps.
Tachinidflylarvaefeedonmonarchcaterpillars,usuallykillingtheirhostjustbefore
pupation.Fromonetoseveralflymaggotsemergefromthehost,anddroptotheground
onlong,gelatinoustendrils.Insomelocalizedpopulations,mostmonarchlarvaeare
parasitized by tachinid flies, but parasitism rates are generally from 5 to 20%
(Oberhauser et al. 2007). Various parasitoid wasp species also parasitize monarch

24
larvae, but less is known about their importance, probably because wasps tend to
parasitizeprepupallarvae,andarethuslesslikelytobefoundbyresearchers.Braconid
waspparasitismmayresultinasmany32adultwaspsfromasinglemonarchcarcass.

9.3.2Parasites

MonarchsareinfectedbyanuclearpolyhedrosisvirusandPseudomonasbacteria.A
protozoan parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, is found in both wild and captive
populations, and a microsporidian Nosema species has been identified in captive
monarchs(UniversityofGeorgia2007);bothoftheseinfectionscanhavedebilitating
effects on monarchs. Horsehair worms, in the phylum Nematomorpha, have been
observedinmonarchlarvae(PrysbyandOberhauserunpublished).O.elektroscirrhais
theonlywellstudiedmonarchparasite.Theinactivesporeofthisprotozoandiseaseis
mixedamongthescalesontheintegument(exoskeleton)ofmonarchadults,andspread
from mother to offspring when larvae ingest spores deposited onto the eggs or
surroundingmilkweed.Thisparasitecanreducelarvalsurvival,butterflymass,andlife
span(AltizerandOberhauser1999).Populationsthatdonotmigrate,suchasthosein
southern Florida and Hawaii, have the highest parasite infections, with about 70%
heavilyinfectedindividuals.Onlyabout30%inwesternNorthAmericaand8%inthe
easternmigratorypopulationareheavilyinfected(Altizeretal.2001).

9.4ClimateChange

Monarchs overwinter in specific climatic regions in the montane oyamel fir forests
locatedinMexico.OberhauserandPeterson(2003)usedecologicalnichemodelsto
identify a narrow range of temperature and precipitation that allowed monarchs to
survivethe winter.Conditions predictedbyclimatechangemodels suggest that the
currentoverwinteringsiteswillnotbesuitableformonarchsin2055.HadleyClimate
Center models predict increased precipitation during the winter in the Mexican
winteringsites,butlittlechangeintemperature.Usingconditionsforecastfor2055,
OberhauserandPeterson(2003)predictedincreasedprecipitationduringcoldweather,
such as the conditions that killed up to 7080% of the two largest overwintering
populations in 2002 (Brower et al. 2004). While 50% of monarchs can survive

25
temperaturesof8 Cbysupercoolingiftheyaredry,50%ofwetindividualsarefrozen
attemperaturesof4.4 C(AndersonandBrower1993,1996).

Batalden et al. (2007) also used ecological niche modeling to study the summer
breedingrangeofmonarchsandhowitmaybeaffectedbyclimatechange.Monarchs
followwarm,moistconditionsastheymovenorthwardinthespring,butareableto
utilizeawidearea,withoutdirectionalflight,throughoutmostofthesummer.Climate
changemodelpredictionssuggestthatmonarchsecologicalniche,atleastasdefinedby
temperature and precipitation, will move northward, necessitating movement by all
summer generations. The degree to which monarchs will be able to utilize newly
availableconditionstothenorthdependsonwhethertheycanchangetheirmigratory
patterns,andontheabilityofmilkweedtocolonizeareasinwhichitdoesnotcurrently
grow.

9.5PesticideUse

Theuseofherbicideswasdiscussedabove.Inadditiontothelossofhabitatcausedby
herbicidesthatremovemonarchhostplantsandnectarsources,monarchscanbekilled
outright by insecticides used to control pest insects. Insecticides may be important
sources of mortality in agricultural areas, in urban and suburban areas where adult
mosquitocontrolprogramsareutilized(Oberhauseretal.2006),andnearforeststhat
arebeingsprayedwithBttocontrolforestpests,particularlygypsymoths.Whileallof
theseinsectcontrolmethodshavethepotentialtokillmonarchs,thedegreetowhich
theyaffectoverallpopulationnumbersisunknown.

II)PartnersinFlight

148species (17%ofnativelandbirds)facehighorseverethreatsandhavedeclining
populationsaccordingtothePIFtrinationalassessment. Allofthesespecieswarrant
the highest levels of trination al conservation concern and are in danger of
disappearingwithoutimmediateconservationaction.Becausemanyofthesespeciesare
membersofbirdfamiliesfoundprimarilyintheNeotropicsthisunique,tropicalbird
diversityismostindangerofbeinglost.

26
Mostofthesespeciesfaceheightenedriskbecauseoftheirspecializationonthreatened
tropical forest habitats: 25% require tropical deciduous forests; 23% are found in
tropical highland forests; and 23% are in tropical evergreen or pineoak forests of
Mexico.Theremainingspeciesaredependentonspecializedconditionsintemperate
forests(e.g.,Kirtlands Warbler),grasslands (e.g.,SierraMadreSparrow),aridlands
(e.g., Gunnison SageGrouse), alpine tundra (Browncapped RosyFinch), coastal
saltmarsh (Saltmarsh Sparrow), and freshwater marshes (several endemic
yellowthroats).

TheprimarythreattomostofthesespeciesislossoftropicalforestsinMexicofrom
unsustainablelogging,woodharvesting,clearingforagriculture,andlivestockgrazing.
Thesethreatsareparticularlyseverewithinhighelevationcloudforests,whichsupport
nineofMexicosmostendangeredbirds.TheprimarythreattobirdsinMexicanpine
oakforests,includingThickbilledandMaroonfrontedparrots,iscontinuedloggingof
largediametertreesandcatastrophicwildfire.Wecannotresolvethesethreatstohabitat
unless we address the socioeconomic needs in human communities with limited
resources.

Urbanizationis athreat toatriskspecies ina widerangeofhabitats,from coastal

saltmarsh and Texas Hillcountry woodlands to highelevation cloud forests and
grasslands in Mexico. Largescale development of vacation properties threatens to
destroyandfragmentremainingtropicaldeciduousforestsalongMexicosPacificCoast
andYucatanPeninsula.Inaddition,naturalsystemsmodifications,includingdisruption
ofnaturalfireregimesanddrainingofwetlands,directlythreatennearlyonethirdofthe
speciesmostatriskofextinction

TropicalResidentsofHighTriNationalConcern

There are 80 nonmigratory bird species; of which 83% are listed under Mexicos
endangeredspecieslegislation.

Thisgroupincludesprimarilytropicalspecieswithbroadgeographicdistributionsthat
arehighlythreatenedintheirtrinationalrange.Becausenearlyhalfaremembersofbird
familiescharacteristicoftheNewWorldtropics(e.g.,trogons,motmots,woodcreepers,

27
antbirds,cotingas),thissignificanttropicalavifaunaisindangerofdisappearingfrom
NorthAmerica.

Ofthese80species,12havedistributionsprimarilywithinMexico,includingOcellated
Turkey,EaredQuetzal,andRedbreastedChat.Anadditional42specieshavemoderate
sized distributions that extend through Mesoamerica into northern South America.
TheseincludesuchspectacularbirdsastheResplendentQuetzal,GreatCurassow,and
LovelyCotinga.Theremaining26speciesarewidelydistributedinSouthAmericaand
reachtheirmostortherlydistributioninsouthernMexico.Speciesinthislattergroup,
such as the Harpy Eagle, Orangebreasted Falcon, and Scarlet Macaw, are flagship
speciesforrainforestconservationthroughouttheirranges.

More than half of these species are dependent on tropical evergreen forest. These
includetypicalmembersofinsectivorousflockssuchasantbirds,woodcreepers,and
shriketanagers,aswellasspecializedfruiteaterssuchastheRufousPihaandRed
capped Manakin, and five species of tropical eagles. Another 23% of species are
restrictedtotropicalhighlandforest,includingcloudforestspecialistssuchasFulvous
Owl,ResplendentQuetzal,andAzurehoodedJay.Theremainingspecies,including
several Mexican endemics such as Purplishbacked Jay and Eared Quetzal, are
dependentontropicaldeciduousandMexicanpineoakforests.

III)FWS

TheCanada/Mexico/U.S.TrilateralCommittee
forWildlifeandEcosystemConservationandManagement

FacilitatingInternationalCooperationtoConservetheLivingHeritageofNorth
America.

Introduction

Canada,MexicoandtheUnitedStatesshareawidearrayofecosystems,habitats,and
species.Theyarealsolinkedbystrongeconomic,socialandculturalties.Eachofthe
threecountriesaddresseswildlifeandecosystemconservationissuesthroughitsown
domesticprograms.However,asaresultoftheNorthAmericanregionsincreasing
development,andemergingglobalproblemssuchasinvasivespecies,wildlifediseases,

28
toxicsubstances,andclimatechange,thereisalsoanincreasingneedforacontinental
approach to conservation.To more effectively address priorities of continental
significanceandboosttheconcertedeffortsofthethreecountriesofNorthAmerica,the
Canada/Mexico/U.S. Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation
and Management (Trilateral Committee) was established in 1995. The Trilateral
CommitteeisheadedbythedirectorsoftheCanadianWildlifeService(CWS),theU.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Ministry of Environment and Natural
ResourcesofMexico(SEMARNAT).

ThegoalsoftheTrilateralCommitteearetofosteranintegratedcontinentalperspective
forcooperativeconservationandsustainableuseofbiologicalresources,contributeto
themaintenanceoftheecologicalintegrityofNorthAmericanecoregions,andpromote
biodiversityconservationcapacitybuildingandcooperativecrosssectoralactivitiesin
thethreecountries thatwillcontributetothereductionandmitigationofthreats to
North American shared species and ecosystems. This is done through coordination,
cooperation, and development of partnerships among wildlife agencies of the three
countries and other interested parties. Thirty organizations from the three countries
currentlyparticipateinvariousactivitiesoftheTrilateralCommittee,includingfederal
andstategovernmentagencies,researchandacademicinstitutions,nongovernmental
organizations,andprivateindustry.

As a leading biodiversity conservation entity in North America, the Trilateral

Committeeprovidesaneffectiveandefficientmechanismtoaddressconservationand
managementofnaturalresourcesonacontinentalscale.Equallyimportantarethemany
intangibleaccomplishmentssuchasprovidingauniqueforumtobetterunderstandthe
differingfactorsthatinfluencenationalpoliciesineachcountry.Workingtogether,the
partnernationscomprisingtheTrilateralCommitteecanbetterfacethechallengesof
movingtowardsasustainablefutureforNorthAmerica.

WorkingTables

Atannualmeetingsmorethanonehundredrepresentativesfromover30organizations
fromthe three countries address abroad arrayofbiodiversitypriorityissues insix
currently active working tables: Executive, Law Enforcement, Convention on

29
InternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES),Migratory
Birds,EcosystemConservation,andSpeciesofCommonConservationConcern.The
ExecutiveWorkingTableprovidesoverallguidanceandoversight.Overthecourseof
the Committees history, other working tables have existed on an asneeded basis,
including
the following: Biodiversity Information; Wildlife Without Borders; Wetlands;
Indigenous People & Natural Resource Management; Monarch Butterflies; and Sea
Turtles.TheTrilateralCommitteehasbeensubjecttoanevolutionaryprocessthathas
producedthecurrenttablesformatwhichincorporatesmanyformertopicsaswellas
newones.

EcosystemConservation

The complexity of conserving North American ecosystems and their biodiversity

requires transboundary collaboration. This table and its predecessors have worked
togethertoadvanceanecosystembasedapproachtoconservation,focusinginparticular
onopportunitiesfortransboundarycooperationintheplanningandmanagementof
terrestrialandmarineprotectedareasandonwetlandandgrasslandconservation.

TheCWS,USFWS,andtheNationalCommissionforProtectedAreas(CONANP)are
the lead agencies for this table. A variety of other partners have made important
contributions to the tables work, including Parks Canada, the U.S. National Park
Service, the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration/National
Marine Fisheries Service, and the North American Commission for Environmental
Cooperation(NACEC).

SharedSpeciesofCommonConservationConcern

SharedspeciesofconcernundertheTrilateralCommitteeinclude,butarenotlimitedto
crossborderspecies(speciesthatmoveacrossbordersorpopulationsthatareshared
amongthecountries).ThistablefacilitatesdialoguebetweenNorthAmericanresource

30
managers,allowingthemtolearnfromeachothersexperience.Thisisenrichedbythe
participation of state natural resource agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
This table encourages, supports, facilitates and endorses activities for
theconservationofnativespeciesandhabitatsthroughcollaborative,communitybased
projectsforseveralspecies,oftenprovidingincomeforlocalresidentswhileprotecting
speciesatrisk.

MigratoryBirds

This table provides a forum for the three governments to focus their efforts on:
implementation of the migratory bird treaties (between Canada and the U.S. and
betweentheU.S.andMexico);promotinglinkagesamongbirdconservationpartners;
facilitating and enhancing coordination, cooperation, and the development of
partnerships among the wildlife agencies of the three countries, and with other
associatedandinterestedentities,regardingprogramsandprojectsfortheconservation
ofmigratorybirds;promotingexchangesofinformation,technology,andbestpractices;
andpromotingrelevanttrainingtofurthertheconservationofmigratorybirds.

This table is led by three cochairs representing: for Canada, CWS; for the U.S.,
USFWS; and for Mexico, the National Commission for Knowledge and Use of
Biodiversity(CONABIO).

CITES

In serving also as a regional CITES North America forum, this table coordinates
preparationforthemeetingsofCITESParties,aswellasfortechnicalcommitteesand
workinggroups.ThisbuildsstrongerpositionsandparticipationastheNorthAmerican
regin in CITES meetings leading to improved outcomes for commom issues of
regionalimportance.Enhancementofcommunicationandinformationsharingamong
theCITESAuthoritiesofthethreecountriesfacilitatesimplementation,followupof
commitments, development of initiatives and consolidation of the leadership of the
North American Region in the Convention. This table also considers wildlife trade
issuesrelatedtosharedspecies,speciesofconcernofindividualmembers,andother
significantspeciespotentiallyimpactedbyinternationaltrade.

31
Since 1997, this table has served to support CITES North American Regional
preparations for various CITES meetings including: the Conference of the Parties
(CoP),StandingCommittee(SC)andPlantsandAnimalsCommittees(PC/AC).

LawEnforcement

Orchestrated during the period 1995 to 2005 capacity building

training for 600 officers from the different Customs and Wildlife
Enforcement agencies. This was done through seminars and formal
courses within the three countries depending upon the topic.

Organizedsixseminarsonspeciesidentification(i.e.,birds,huntingtrophies,
corals,reptiles,plants,andskins)toensureenforcementofficersunderstanding
oftheentireaspectofthetrade.CollaboratorsincludedindustriesandNGOs
relatedtotheuseandtradeofspecies,aswellaswildlifepartsandproducts.

Held two seminars addressing forensic techniques with the participation of

experts from different federal, state, and provincial institutions, as well as
universities and academic institutions. The seminars were directed at
enforcementofficersandforensicexperts.

Plannedandimplementedaseminarforlawenforcementmanagersonpublic
participation, with the participation of NGOs from the three countries, to
promotepublicinvolvementinlawenforcementactivities.

Planned and implemented a training seminar on intelligence issues for law

enforcement personnel from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., to establish a
networkofindividualsinvolvedinresearchandintelligencerelatedtofloraand
fauna.

Developed, published and distributed an array of educational and outreach

materials to targeted audiences which reinforced inspection and monitoring
activitiesinthethreecountries,including:

EcosystemConservation

32
WorkingTableHighlights:

Facilitateddevelopmentanddeliveryofawetlandconservationtrainingcourse
in 1996 for over 200 federal, state, and municipal officials, NGOs and
university students in Mexico, coordinated by the Arizona Fish and Game
Department. A Management Manual for Wetlands in Mexico was produced,
nowinits3rdedition.

Hosted a monarch butterfly conference in 1997 to address conservation and

developmentopportunitiesforcommunitiesinsideMexicosMonarchBiosphere
Reserve.Protectionofthemonarchbutterflyanditshabitatisapriorityactivity
for this table: The monarchs amazing life history has served as a unifying
symbolforcollaborativeactionbytheNorthAmericascountries.

SupportedeffortstoestablishawetlandsclassificationsystemforMexicotoaid
inthedelineationofimportanthabitatformigratoryandresidentaquaticbirds.
Afirstinventoryofwetlandswasproducedin2003,basedonworkconducted
byDucksUnlimitedinitiatedin1994,andwithfinancialsupportofWetland
Internationalandotherorganizations.

Provided a forum for the three North American signatories to the Ramsar
ConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportancetodevelopandpromotea
continental approach to the implementation of Convention agreements. This
table advanced the 2004 designation of the Laguna Madre ecosystem as a
Ramsarsiteandfacilitatesworkwithotherimportantwetlandsinthearea,in
particularLagunaAtascosaNationalWildlifeRefuge,intheU.S.

Coordinatedaplenarysessionin2004onthepreservationofNorthAmericas
grasslands,whichsustain13speciesidentifiedofcommoninteresttothethree
countries,including:ferruginoushawk,burrowingowl,andblacktailedprairie
dog.Aseriesofkeycollaborativeconservationactionsintheareasoflanduse
management, socioeconomic incentives, education and research have been
identified.

33
 Implementedthefirsttrinationalprotectedareasworkshopin2005,whichwas
attendedby24protectedareasmanagersandpractitionersfromCWS,USFWS
andCONANP.Theworkshopprovidedopportunityfortheseagenciestodiscuss
shared management challenges and strategies, and identify opportunities for
collaborationandtrainingneeds.

Developedin2005,aframeworkforTrilateralCommitteerecognitionofSister
Protected Areas networks to link land management expertise and habitat
conservationeffortsbetweenprotectedareasinthethreecountriesthatshare
commonecosystemfeatures,wildlifepopulations,orothersimilarresourcesor
management interests, including a trinational network of monarch butterfly
protectedareas.

SharedSpeciesofCommonConservationConcern

WorkingTableHighlights:

Supportedactivitiesforthereintroduction,reestablishment,restoration,and/or
recoveryofspeciesofcommonconservationconcerninNorthAmerica,suchas
theCaliforniacondor,theblackfootedferret,theblacktailedprairiedog;the
Mexicanwolf,severalspeciesofnativefish,theTarahumaraandChiricahua
leopardfrogs,andtheSonoranpronghorn.

Provided important advice to law enforcement divisions on high priority

conservationissuessuchasseaturtlesnestingbeachconservation,aswellas
crossborder transport of culturally significant items from golden and bald
eagles.

Developedandimplementedawidearrayofeducationalandpublicoutreach
activitiesinsupportofconservationeffortsrelatedtospeciessuchasthethick
billedparrot,severalspeciesofbats,andthemonarchbutterfly,aswellasother
species.

34
 Conducted field activities in partnership with other entities, to promote the
conservationofkeyspeciesandtheirhabitats,includingtheKempsridleysea
turtle,thecactusferruginouspygmyowl,theleopardfrog,jaguar,andcacti.

Supportedonthegroundactivitiestowardstheconservationofspeciessuchas
the burrowingowl, as well as towards the conservation and management of
sharedhabitatssuchasgrasslands.Thishasbeendonethroughlandprotection,
restoration and management, and in collaboration with partners throughout
NorthAmerica,includingNACEC.

AddressedcommonemergingthreatstoNorthAmericasbiologicaldiversity,
includingwildlifediseases,suchasWestNilevirusandavianinfluenza,aswell
asinvasivespecies,suchascactusmoth,guineagrass,buffelgrass,andBrazilian
pepper.

Otheractivitiesofthistableincludethoseinsupportoftheconservationand
managementofotherimportantspecies,includingthefollowing:whitewinged
dove; piping plover; humpback whale; masked bobwhite quail; pinkfooted
sheerwater;burrowingowl;leatherback,loggerheadandhawksbillseaturtles;
graywhale;ocelot;goldenandbaldeagles;lightfootedclapperrail,andothers.

MigratoryBirds

WorkingTableHighlights:

PlayedacentralroleinprovidingdirectionforthedevelopmentoftheNorth
American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), an undertaking to conserve
nativebirdswithinNorthAmerica.Thisculminatedinthesignaturein2005by
ministersintheU.S.,Canada,andMexicooftheDeclarationofIntentforthe
Conservation of North American Birds and their Habitats. This enhances
trinational cooperation to deliver comprehensive bird conservation in North
America.

35
 Facilitated the formation of the Sonoran Joint Venture, a U.S.Mexico
partnershiptopromoteNABCIintheSonoranregion.Thistablealsofacilitated
theestablishmentofregionalconservationmechanismsinMexicobysupporting
theestablishmentofaRegionalAllianceinMarismasNacionales.

Facilitated continental management of migratory bird populations through

initiatives such as: convening experts to provide assistance and advice
on the methodology for conducting migratory bird surveys in Mexico;
coordinating the establish of the North American Bird Banding Program;
establishinga1800numberinMexicotofacilitatethereportingofbirdband
information; coordinating permit issuance across borders for migratory bird
researchers;andlaunchinggamebirdharvestsurveys.

Improved coordination and communication among the three countries

programs. Key examples include the development of the TexasNorth East
Mexico whitewinged dove strategy and the completion of bird species
assessmentinMexico.

Supported amendments to the migratory bird treaties to address subsistence

harvest,hunting ofmurres in Newfoundland, andtomodernize andincrease
consistencyintreatyobligations.

Providedafocus among researchers onspecies ofcommon concern suchas

burrowing owls, whitefronted geese, snow geese, black brant, loggerhead
shrikes, and painted buntings. In particular, this table facilitated agency
coordination on the management of overabundant snow geese and the
reintroductionofCaliforniacondorsinMexico.

Sharedinformation,setupworkshopsandworkinggroupstobringexpertiseto
addressthreatstobirdpopulations,whichhasledto:developmentofimproved
practicesforreducingtheelectrocutionofbirdsinMexicoonutilitylines,a
workshopontechniquestoremoveinvasivespeciesfromislands,andpromotion
oftrilateralfocusonimpactsofpesticidesonbirds.

36
Webliography

PrimarySources
I)CEC
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II)
http://www.savingoursharedbirds.org/lossofdiversity/speciesatgreatestriskof
extinction
III)
http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/reporttrilateralcommittee.pdf

ParallelreadingofPrimarySourcesSpanish
I)
http://www3.cec.org/islandora/en/item/2350northamericanmonarch
conservationplanes.pdf
II)
http://www.savingoursharedbirds.org/perdidadeladiversidad/especiesquese
encuentranenmayorriesgo/view?set_language=es

III)
https://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/brochuretrilateralspanish.pdf

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I)
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/FactSheets/Mortality
FactSheet.pdf
http://app1.semarnat.gob.mx/dgiraDocs/documentos/qroo/resumenes/2015/23QR2015T
D010.pdf
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37
http://www.soymonarca.mx/travesia.html

III)
http://www.nrdc.org/laondaverde/wildlife/avesmigratorias.asp
IV)
http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2008/10/20081027173449adkcilerog0.
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38