OutdoorNebraska

7 I n 2011, Nebraska became a partner of the Southern Wings Program which is an effort to support bird conservation in countries south of the United States. An obvious question one may ask is, why allocate precious resources elsewhere when numerous challenges exist here in Nebraska? The answer can be found in the realization that about half of the bird species that breed in Nebraska spend the winter south of the United States. In fact, many birds spend a majority of their annual cycle somewhere else. For conservation efforts to be successful here in Nebraska, or anywhere for that matter, the entire annual cycle of a species needs to be considered, because limiting factors or risks can occur anywhere. If our breeding birds have the resources they need to be successful here but lack them during migration or over the winter, they are less likely to return to our state the following summer or possibly even survive. If this occurs at a large enough scale, this is when populations decline. Thus, conservation actions outside Nebraska can yield big dividends for our birds of conservation concern. Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund dollars are being used to support fledgling conservation efforts in the El Tokio Grasslands of Mexico. Several of our breeding bird species of greatest conservation need, such as the Long- billed Curlew, Mountain Plover, and Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed longspurs, that breed in Nebraska spend their winters in this region of Mexico. El Tokio is one of the largest grassland areas in the Chihuahuan Desert totaling over 3,600 square miles. The region is located on the edges of the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí and provides critical wintering habitat for many bird species. The Southern Wings Program is an innovative initiative where state wildlife agencies work through the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) to partner with non-governmental organizations such as the American Bird Conservancy and Pronatura Noreste. These organizations have resources on the ground and cooperatively work with local residents to create, manage, and maintain private reserves to protect and restore key grassland remnants and implement conservation- friendly grazing regimes. This includes work with ejidos (communal lands) and the creation of a corridor that will connect grassland reserves across the ejidos. The total number of acres included in conservation agreements or under direct management is now over 140,000 acres. In addition to the funding from the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund, nearby states such as Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Iowa are also supporting the El Tokio project through the Southern Wings Program. Thus, your contributions to the Wildlife Conservation Fund are part of a larger effort that is making a big difference to conserve our birds. 4 T he Watchable Wildlife Small Grants program seeks to help create more wildlife-viewing and nature- based experiences in the state. Providing opportunities for the public to create memorable wildlife-observation experiences can help build appreciation and stewardship for natural resources. Since this grant began in 2012, 95 projects have been awarded funds to create wildlife- viewing experiences. Past projects have ranged from BioBlitzes, interpretive wildlife signs, and more. One of the past projects that was awarded was the Bumble Project led by a high school student. The student partnered with the city of Holdrege and natural resource districts to turn an unused area of a local park into a 2,000 square foot pollinator garden. The student educated locals about pollinators through signage and outreach events. They also collaborated with the school's art teacher and had fourth grade students paint tiles that were then used to create unique steppingstones in the garden. Monarchs and other pollinators have been observed on flowers at the garden, and community members help weed and maintain the garden. We are excited to fund more projects this year that encourage community involvement, conservation, and help create rewarding wildlife experiences. We will also be launching a new Nebraska Birding Guide (formerly "Birding Trail") website this year to encourage further discovery and appreciation for the amazing diversity of birds and habitats in the state. The website will feature information about where to observe birds, the unique ecological regions and habitats in the state, notable birds, and resources for learning more about birding and creating a bird-friendly backyard. There are incredible opportunities for viewing birds across the state, and this website can be helpful in planning future birding adventures in Nebraska. 4 Watchable Wildlife By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. By Joel Jorgensen, Nongame Bird Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Wildlife Conservation Fund Working for Birds South of the Border El Cercado habitat. AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY

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