Long-term Waterbird Monitoring of Critical Habitat and Priority Species of the Estuaries and Islands of the Eastern Midriff Island Region of Sonora, Mexico

Project Description

The Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies proposes to build upon its Waterbird Monitoring Program (WMP) in the Midriff Island region of the Gulf of California. With its permanent presence, partnerships, and proven record of successful waterbird monitoring, the WMP contributes to habitat protection efforts integrating monitoring, research and community participation. The region’s islands and estuaries provide critical nesting, roosting, stopover, and feeding habitat for at least 62 SJV priority bird species. Continuing projects provide essential information on species abundance, distribution, and ecosystem health. Funds from SJV would enable PC to: 1) enhance our monitoring efforts in Esteros Santa Cruz, Cardonal, and Tastiota 2) increase community involvement and outreach 3) more effectively summarize information for publication and integration into national and international databases, and 4) strengthen partnerships with regional conservation groups and indigenous communities to list priority habitats as RAMSAR and IBA’s. This will fund one annual bird monitoring fellowship. This fellow would be responsible for implementing the Waterbird Monitoring Program with supervision by the PC Research Coordinator and in cooperation with community and conservation groups.

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Lorayne Meltzer
Prescott College Kino Bay Center