Burrowing Owl fledglings

Burrowing Owls, Gold-winged Warblers, Red Knots and hundreds of other species of birds will benefit from 29 new grants awarded in 16 countries across the Americas. More than $3.8 million in federal funds will be provided through the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. These funds will leverage an additional $14.2 million from partners. The program was established specifically to benefit birds that nest in North America and migrate to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America during the winter season.

Sample projects include restoration of pine-oak forest in Honduras, where endangered Golden-cheeked Warblers spend the winter; programs that engage private landowners in Saskatchewan to better manage habitat for Burrowing Owls and other declining prairie species; and research on Painted Buntings in the southeastern United States. Since 2002, this program has provided more than $66 million in federal grants to support 570 projects in 36 countries. More than 4.5 million acres of bird habitat has benefitted, and partners have invested an additional $250 million – that’s almost a 4 to 1 leverage of funds.

For more information, see https://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=songbirds-shorebirds-and-other-migratory-birds-to-benefit-from-$18-&_ID=36294