Conserva Aves initiates efforts in Mesoamerica to protect biodiversity. The Initiative seeks to establish key partnerships and create subnational protected areas in the region. With the support of national partners, it will focus on the creation and conservation of new migratory routes for birds and strengthen environmental protection, specifically in Mexico and Panama, which will be the next countries with new territories of life with the Initiative's support.
Photo credit: Cecilia Vides
Meeting between Conserva Aves and the Mexican Fund for Nature Conservation at its headquarters in Mexico City. Pictured from right to left: Aurelio Ramos, Audubon Americas Senior Vice President; Sebastian Herzog, Conserva Aves Coordinator for Audubon Americas; Renée Gonzalez, General Director of the Mexican Fund for Nature Conservation (FMCN); Isabel Bello, FMCN Technical Officer; and Amantina Lavalle, FMCN Director of Operations.
The Initiative has made significant progress between February 12-16 in negotiations to implement Conserva Aves in Mexico. This effort seeks to expand the project’s actions by targeting the creation or expansion of subnational protected areas.
Conserva Aves promotes the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems and integrates citizen science, environmental education, and local sustainable tourism to meet its goals of establishing and strengthening more than 100 new subnational protected areas, totaling two million hectares in nine Latin American countries, which include territories of life in regional, municipal, ethnic, and private spaces.
Conserva Aves is implemented by leading conservation organizations, including the American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, BirdLife International, and the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC).
Negotiations are underway with the RedLAC partner in Mexico, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, A.C. (FMCN), and with the national BirdLife partner, Pronatura Sur, who are laying the groundwork for future collaboration that will advance the country’s conservation efforts.
The Initiative has also set its sights on Panama, where these negotiations have intensified and agreements with Fundación Natura and Audubon Panama are expected to be formalized. These actions in both countries are firm steps by the Conserva Aves Initiative to protect territories of life through effective conservation practices, underscoring the importance of the support of national partners to the Initiative’s success.
Currently in the Tropical Andes, the Initiative is supported by a $12 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, accelerating its efforts to contribute to the ambitious 30×30 goal, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s marine and terrestrial areas by 2030.