The majority of North America’s bird populations are migratory, thus, the protection of required wintering grounds in Latin America is essential to their survival. Because habitat loss in the tropics is so extensive, in early 2008, we expanded our Gulf of Mexico avian conservation programs to include protection of wintering habitat used by vast numbers of migratory landbirds. With a substantial contribution from an anonymous donor, GCBO has established a new permanent fund for land acquisition in Central and South America. The fund has now grown to greater than $750,000 and is expected to reach $1,000,000 within three years. Proceeds from this endowment are providing grant dollars to proven and respected Latin American conservation organizations for the fee acquisition of habitat for migratory birds, as well as rare and threatened flora and fauna. This is an exciting new opportunity for bird conservation and for GCBO. Please check out our 21 acquisitions to date, and consider making a donation to help grow the Tropical Forest Forever Fund.
Please check out our acquisitions to date:
Protecting Brazil’s Atlantic Forest
Expanding the Cerro Prieto, Queretaro, Mexico
Stresemann’s Bristlefront Reserve, Brazil
Cerro Prieto-Cerro La Luz Reserve, Queretaro, Mexico
Valdivian Coastal Reserve, Chile
Dominican Republic
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Sierra Caral, Guatemala
Laguna Esmeralda Reserve, Bolivia
Narupa Reserve, Ecuador
El Zapotal and El Silencio, Chiapas, Mexico
El Paujil, Colombia
La Perla, Abra Patricia, Peru
Tinaja del Zapote, Sierra Gorda, Querétaro, Mexico
Lemgruber Property, Brazil
Abra Patricia, Peru
Tres Picos Park, Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil
El Paujil, Colombia
Las Arenitas, Sierra Gorda, Querétaro, Mexico
Hoya Verde, Sierra Gorda, Queretaro, Mexico
Tropical Forest Forever Fund Mission: to fund the acquisition of mostly forested landscapes in Central and South America while supporting habitat preservation of endangered and threatened species. In some special circumstances, Canadian and other northern forest initiatives may be funded in an effort to connect a contiguous link between breeding and wintering grounds for special, at risk avifauna. At least 80% of the Fund proceeds shall be used for key habitat purchases, with 20% reserved for management expenses or land trust development. The principal donor requests that none of the funds be spent on non-grantee travel, salaries, and research initiatives. Land preservation initiatives will occur in countries which have diplomatic relations with the United States of America.
This new fund will allow GCBO to better serve bird populations at an international scale. Implementation of the Funds activities will be conducted via a Board of Directors appointed committee with support from GCBO staff. If you would like to make a financial contribution to the TFFF Fund, please email Carol Jones (cjones @ gcbo.org).