In 1986 Canada, Mexico and the United States adopted The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP or Plan), launching a new era in wildlife conservation. The Plan has remained a leading model for other international conservation plans. In large measure, this is because it is a living and evolving document and is updated periodically with engagement of the broad waterfowl conservation community. The 2012 Revision continues the tradition of innovation and collaboration.
Why a revision? Why now?
Today we face greater pressures on waterfowl populations and habitat than ever before, including expanding human populations; increased urbanization; global demands for food, energy and fresh water; and climate change. It is urgent, given these challenges, that waterfowl managers review and re-establish their fundamental conservation goals – something that has not been done in a quarter-century. The 2012 Revision provides the framework for a more coherent waterfowl management system that will enable us to achieve essential conservation goals.
What was the process?
The revision process began in March 2009, when the Plan Committee formed the NAWMP Revision Steering Committee to serve as a focal point for gathering, vetting and synthesizing ideas from the waterfowl management community and to advise the Plan Committee on the content of the Plan Revision. Jim Ringelman, Ducks Unlimited, wad contracted to coordinate the revision process. Over the next two years 15 consultation workshops in the United States and Canada to gain input from the waterfowl management community on the fundamental goals for waterfowl management in the 21st Century. Additional public review and comment on an initial draft further honed the concepts, goals and objectives of the revised NAMWP. The consultation workshop results and review comments are located in the Revision Process Archive.