Bird Conservation Minnesota (BCM) has been established to keep common birds common and reverse species decline. BCM seeks to support, enhance, and draw public attention to bird conservation opportunities in Minnesota. The initiative approaches the complex task of all-bird conservation by offering a collaborative focus to the efforts of its bird conservation partners.
BCM wants to help create an all-bird conservation strategy for Minnesota by identifying priority species and habitats and hopes to create a stronger appreciation for conservation planning at a regional level. It wants to build strong connections among bird conservation groups and increase skill in using bird conservation planning tools and resources. Also, BCM will highlight opportunities for cooperation among partners. Another goal is to work to create public support for these efforts to ensure that a well-informed public understands the importance of conservation and birds.
Bird Conservation Minnesota PowerPoint Presentation
Bird Conservation Minnesota partnership agreement
Bird Conservation Minnesota Brochure
Bird Conservation Minnesota Annual Report
A nine-member, multi-agency BCM design team was organized by the Minnesota DNR in January, 2003. The team received an $8,000 grant from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) to hold a two-part workshop to promote discussion and action in Minnesota on all-bird conservation. There was agreement among those who attended that the task of all-bird conservation is too complex for any single organization to accomplish alone. All agreed that a coalition with a committee structure was needed in Minnesota to accomplish bird conservation. This program grew from those workshops, attended by 80 government agency and NGO representatives who offered
input and support.
Bird Conservation Minnesota partners will work to:
Build strong connections among bird conservation organizations and individuals in the state to help insure the conservation of Minnesota’s rich and diverse avifauna while advancing the missions of participating partners.
Understand how various bird conservation efforts relate to each other in Minnesota so that the challenge of bird conservation is accomplished in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Identify priority species and habitats, and establish objectives for bird populations and their habitats in Minnesota so that we can establish measurable goals and objectives.
Identify focus areas for bird conservation in Minnesota. Find people knowledgeable in these areas, and identify conservation work to address the needs.
Create an all-bird conservation plan or strategy for Minnesota that coordinates with other local, state and national wildlife planning efforts.
Plan on-going implementation opportunities that engage all the BCM partners in conservation efforts.
Build public support through education, tourism, and bird-friendly communities to ensure that a well-informed public understands the importance of conservation and birds.
COORDINATING COUNCILThe Coordinating Council is responsible for overall policy and direction of BCM, and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations. Members will be those who have a strong interest in birds and appropriate skill sets, and who represent organizations with significant bird interests (e.g., government agencies, nonprofit groups, private land owners, agriculture, nature centers, recreation, or tourism). The Council will have no more than fifteen members.
The Coordinating Council will organize meetings, workshops, symposia, or other gatherings to bring BCM partners together on common issues or projects to coordinate work planning and help foster connections among partners. A goal will be to sponsor at least one meeting a year. These meetings will demonstrate a major commitment to outreach and communication, bringing people and bird issues together.
Current members include:
Mark Martell - Audubon
Robert Janssen – Citizen Representative
Greg Hoch –
