Habitats of the Joint Venture

JV habitat strategies establish regional objectives for bird populations and then translate those population targets into habitat objectives. Habitat restoration (to increase populations) and habitat retention (to maintain populations) objectives appear in each of the JV strategies. These objectives were generated from the best scientific information and technical tools available, but objectives change over time as a result of monitoring and new scientific findings.

In a recent habitat summary document, objectives for waterfowl and waterbirds were integrated among the four primary habitat categories used for planning. These wetland-bird objectives were then distributed across BCRs, States, and State x BCR sub-regions based on current population distribution and predicted return on conservation investment. Habitat protection and restoration accomplishments by JV partners are monitored and reported to the U.S. Congress annually.

Conservation in Action

Since 2007, JV partners have restored or enhanced 1,378,500 acres across the region. Also during this time, 167,800 acres of bird habitat were protected.

Joint Venture Habitat Accomplishment Reports

Habitat Accomplishment Reports are prepared annually by JV Staff and Partners to track the progress of the Joint Venture Partnership towards the habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement objectives outlined in the Joint Venture Implementation Plan by habitat type.