**Regional Planning and Implementation Committee**

**of the Waterbird Conservation Council**

**Conference Call**

**March 8, 2005**

**[Participants]{.underline}**

Paul Schmidt (Chair),Vernon Byrd, Jack Capp, John Cecil, Debbie Hahn,
Rosabel Miro, Don Paul, Jennifer Wheeler. Not available: Ghisselle
Alvarado, Ann Sutton, Beth Flint, Naomi Edelson, Craig Harrison, Xico
Vega.

**[Discussion and Decisions]{.underline}**

**1. Review of Intermountain West Region Waterbird Conservation Plan**

This plan, which was reported on during the Waterbird Conservation
Council's annual meeting in Nassau, is nearing completion. Committee
members reviewed the plan document and offered comments. There was
agreement that the document was substantial, thorough, and the planning
had involved an impressive number of participants, including
representatives from the States and Important Bird Areas programs.
Vernon raised some questions about the use of standardized habitat
definitions, as well as the use of 50% decrease as the criteria for
significant population decline. He also wondered if maps or references
to maps could be included in the document. The group discussed the
approach used to develop population objectives. Don emphasized the
importance of standardization of regional approaches if objectives are
ever to be combined to form range-wide objectives.

***Decision***

The group agreed that the Intermountain West Region Waterbird
Conservation Plan, when completed, should be endorsed. Jennifer will
craft a letter to the plan's lead author, for signature by Paul and Don,
summarizing our comments and circulate for review to the committee. The
full Council will be notified of our findings.

Paul will approach the Technical Committee with our issues about
standardized criteria for significant population change (i.e., use of
IUCN's) and about developing population objectives.

**2. Expansion of Committee**

In the Annual Meeting, decisions made on the Regional Planning and
Implementation Committee were that:

-   The committee will expand its membership and adjust operations to
    formally include representatives from each of the planning regions.
    This should allow the Council to better serve the regional-scale
    partners, and improve the flow of information and innovations across
    regions.

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-   In making adjustments to membership, the committee will expand its
    scope, previously focused on Canada and U.S., to all regions
    (Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean, as well as South America
    when appropriate), in order to assist regional-scale conservation
    throughout the Western Hemisphere.

It was because of the second decision that Ghisselle, Rosabel, and Xico
were asked to join the conference call.

Jennifer had concerns about setting up a structure so that the committee
would be useful and effective. There are 14 different planning regions
identified in the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, and some
of these are being addressed in multiple parts. The status of regional
planning varies widely (from not started, to plans are published and
partners begin to act on recommendations). Also, regions can be very
different in their structures (some include many countries, some just
one country or State) and capacity (more or less experts, information or
resources).

Group members suggested that planning regions could be grouped into
larger units in order to make reporting and discussion of common needs
easier. Another suggestion was to focus first on the regions that were
most important to waterbird populations. Jennifer pointed out that the
committee has to address the needs that regions have in common AND has
to address the special needs of particular regions. Rosabel was asked to
describe how she thought the committee could help the Central America
region. She suggested that assistance with covering costs, technical
assistance (sharing expertise), and obtaining government participation
would be most helpful. John Cecil suggested that the best way to set up
an effective structure is to just get started.

***Decision***

The expansion of the committee would start with an invitation to all
regional representatives to join the committee and to participate in
meetings (conference call or in person). However, meetings will be
focused on clearly communicated topics. Conference calls, especially,
will only cover a single or few topics. This way, representatives can
decide if the meetings are useful to their region, or can decide who
from a region might best participate.

Jennifer will craft an invitation and slate of suggested topics for
circulation to the committee. When topics are selected, Jennifer will
seek regional representatives to help lead the discussions on topics of
most interest to them.

**[Next Meeting]{.underline}**

To be determined when first topics are selected. No later than end of
April.