MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION VIA SHADE CR

This project builds on the success of previous phases funded in 2017 and 2019 by NMBCA, across 400 ha (988 acres).

Partners will scale up organic and Bird-Friendly certification (BF) to an additional 200 ha of shade crop farms (600 ha total) in Costa de Maya - a megadiverse region of the Venezuelan Andes.

The project will contribute to protection of a vital habitat corridor between two key national parks where deforestation risk is exceedingly high.

Partners will include a new element of farmer-led tree planting and recovery to restore forest in strategic locations at higher altitudes, thus supporting conservation of a total of 1,000 ha of crucial habitat for many species of migratory and resident birds.

This project will continue promoting preservation of both natural and cultural heritage, bolster sustainable livelihoods, help protect a watershed that supplies drinking water to a reservoir used by 200,000 people, and continue work with elementary school children and adults to teach the benefits of leaving forests standing for both birds and people through the Smithsonian's 'Bridging the Americas' curriculum and community engagement.

Future scalability includes more than 20,000ha (49,400ac) of shade-coffee plantations as well as large areas of cacao and other shade crops.