MIGRATORY BIRD PROGRAM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Promoting Conservation and Collaboration

The US Forest Service (USFS) is working 

globally with partners to support, strengthen 

and enhance bird conservation programs. 

Through diverse partnerships, collaborative processes, and collective objectives, 

bird conservation activities improve habitat 

conditions for increasingly threatened bird 

populations. Bird programs also serve as 

catalysts for regional cooperation, economic 

development and community action. Since 

2007, the US Forest Service has promoted a bird conservation initiative across 

the Middle East that encourages regional 

partnerships, technical exchange, and local 

conservation action. 

BACKGROUND

The Middle East is home to what is possibly the most signifi cant migratory bird corridor in the 

world. Over 500 million birds from across Europe and Asia traverse the region on a biannual 

basis as they head south to wintering grounds in the Middle East and Africa and then return 

north for the summer breeding season. However, birds are increasingly at risk from shrinking habitat, urban development, over hunting, and industrial and agricultural pollution. The 

demand for municipal water supplies and land for agriculture and grazing is overwhelming the 

available resource base. Wetlands have been drained, rangelands have been overgrazed and 

bird habitat is quickly being lost. To overcome these obstacles, bird programs require coordinated efforts at regional, national, and local levels.

US FOREST SERVICE APPROACH

An effective and proven strategy used to conserve bird populations is the fl yway approach. 

The success of the fl yway approach lies in creating links between critical bird habitat and communities along bird migration routes. A fl yway approach creates a network of partners who 

share information, work towards common goals, and promote long term management capacity. 

Activities are carried out at the ground level, involving schools, communities, and local organizations. At the same time, exchange of techniques, policies and lessons learned occurs at 

national and regional levels to promote benefi ts across multiple areas. The results are multifold: linkages develop, people unite, communities are strengthened, processes are enabled, 

and economic opportunities are enhanced.

By promoting bird conservation initiatives across the Middle East, the US Forest Service and 

partners aim to:

Conserve critical bird habitat areas; 

Expand and strengthen the network of collaborating non-governmental organizations in the region;

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Promote the involvement of local communities to manage and oversee their 

natural resources;

Encourage and facilitate multi-institutional 

involvement;

Disseminate successful management 

strategies and curricula across the region;

Provide opportunities for international 

exchange and training;

Develop a curriculum of conservation 

education for schoolchildren; and

Encourage the participation of youth in 

civil society. 

CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES

The US Forest Service actively collaborates 

with government and non-government partners across the Middle East, who serve as 

the foundation for on-going bilateral activities. As activities take 

root at the local level, this network of partners will foster the 

expansion and implementation 

of activities into a multi-lateral 

migratory bird initiative across 

the Middle East. The Forest 

Service is focused on strengthening the network and building 

the capacity of nongovernmental 

organizations, communities, 

and land managers to take part 

and engage in conservation and 

education activities. 

The Forest Service is focusing 

current efforts on building the 

capacity of partners in monitoring and implementing bird conservation programs. Currently 

the Forest Service is:

Supporting the participation of rangers 

from the Nature Conservation Sector in 

Egypt and members of the Society for the 

Protection of Nature in Israel at training 

programs at PRBO Conservation Science 

in California that focus on bird monitoring 

and conservation education;

Partnering with the Nature Conservation Sector and local partners in Wadi El 

Gemal National Park in Egypt to develop 

bird related tourism activities in and 

around the Park;

Providing technical assistance and support to the Keren Kayemeth Leisrael and 

Society for the Protection of Nature in 

Israel at the Lake Agmon / Hula Valley 

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complex in northern Israel. This is an Important Bird Area, a BirdLife International 

designation reserved for the highest priority bird habitats, and an important migratory stopover point and wintering grounds 

for Eurasian Cranes and other globally 

important species, and;

Exploring opportunities to promote collaborative efforts between the Palestinian 

Wildlife Society in the West Bank and the 

Society for the Protection of Nature in 

Israel.

Future activities will build upon the experience of current migratory bird programs operating in the region, promote existing ideas 

and techniques that work locally and regionally, and capitalize on partners’ existing networks and capacity. The Forest 

Service aims to bring these 

groups together and encourage 

technical experts and partners 

to address bird habitat conservation at the local and regional 

level in the Middle East. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you would like to learn more 

about our program and/or discuss possible collaboration with 

the US Forest Service, please 

contact our Middle East or Migratory Bird Programs:

Jennifer Peterson

E-mail: jenniferpeterson@fs.fed.us

Phone: +202-273-4671

Fax: +202-273-4750

Chris Soriano

E-mail: csoriano@fs.fed.us

Phone: +202-273-4698

Fax: +202-273-4750

Carol Lively

E-mail: clively@fs.fed.us

Phone: +202-273-4725

Fax: +202-273-4750

Further information about International Programs can be found on our website at: 

www.fs.fed.us/global/globe/mideast/welcome.htm.

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