Congratulations to the 2023 Partnership Grantees! Learn more about the seven inspiring organizations that will continue to move conservation forward with their work.
A workshop supported by a Partnership Grant was held in conjunction with the 2023 Land Trust Rally in support of Alaska Land Trust collaboration discussions. The workshop included panelists from the Idaho Coalition of Land Trusts, the Washington Alliance of Land Trusts, and the Land Trust Alliance with supporting facilitation from Pacific Birds staff. Photo by Laura Farwell
The grantees and projects this year are:
- Working Together to Increase Alaskan Land Trust Impact, Southeast Alaska Land Trust and Kachemak Heritage Land Trust
- Wigi Forever—A Conservation Land Back Partnership with the Wiyot Tribe, Friends of the Dunes
- 2023 inter-Tribal Ecosystem Restoration Partnership Peer-to-Peer Learning Summit, Lomakatsi Restoration Project
- Exploring Opportunities for Working Land Protection in Douglas County, Oregon Agricultural Trust
- Creating Connected Wetland Habitat on the Shores of Pearl Harbor, Hui o Ho`ohonua
- Waterbird Habitat Improvements at Makauwahi Cave Reserve, Makauwahi Cave Reserve
- Inspiring Action for Bird Conservation in Coastal Wetlands, Oak and Prairie Habitats, and Hawai’i Wetlands, BirdNote
Over the past three years, project topics have ranged widely – supporting land acquisition, strategic planning, conferences, outreach, wildlife rehabilitation, and wetland restoration – just to name a few! But all projects have one thing in common - they are helping to catalyze conservation. Grantees include Indigenous groups and Tribal Nations, Nonprofit organizations, land trusts & more. This year, we are excited to strengthen existing projects and new collaborations, including continued support for a landback project with Friends of the Dunes and the Wiyot Tribe, and a new podcast project with BirdNote. Full project summaries can be found on our Partnership Grants page.
One of the spotting scopes set up by Audubon for an Open House at Kennedy Creek, allowing visitors to observe wintering birds. Photo: Audubon Washington
“With the help of funding from the Joint Venture, Audubon, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and other partners, was able to host birding open-houses at the Kennedy Creek estuary to raise awareness of its role as one of the most important spots for wintering shorebirds in the south Puget Sound.”
- Scott Andrews, Senior Program Manager Puget Sound, Audubon Washington
Indigenous partners, staff, and others at Copper River Watershed, where the Partnership Grant funded educational wetland outreach programs. Photos by: Kate Morse
“Support from Pacific Birds helped our organization expand the content we share through our wetland education programs. We also expanded our collaboration with staff at the Native Village of Eyak and Chugachmiut who shared traditional knowledge on birds and examples of how birds are portrayed through traditional legends, song, art and dance. Connecting the long-time traditions and Indigenous knowledge with today’s science of birds helps provide a meaningful and well-rounded understanding for the ties between humans and birds, in particular the role we play in being stewards of their habitat on the Copper River Delta in coastal Alaska.”
- Kate Morse, Program Director, Copper River Watershed Project
These are just a few examples of how Partnership Grants are helping accomplish conservation on the ground. Since 2020, the program has supported projects in the U.S. that benefit native birds and their habitats, raise awareness about why birds matter, directly conserve habitat, or help increase knowledge. Specifically, we focus on projects within the sphere of our conservation priorities: Oak and Prairie, Hawaiʻi Wetlands, and Coastal Wetlands.
Makawahi Cave and the ‘Alae ‘ula, or Hawaiian gallinule. Photo by: Monica Iglecia
"Pacific Birds partnership grants support a variety of projects and topics that help to catalyze, build, and maintain momentum for conservation. From strategic planning to land back efforts to outreach programs and on-the-ground restoration, we're able to help partners to leverage other funding sources and implement their expertise."
- Monica Iglecia, U.S. Coordinator, Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture
These grants are unique in that they don’t only fund “shovel-ready” projects, but also the planning, community building, and strategizing needed to ensure those on-the-ground projects can succeed. In the past three years, we’ve been able to support 32 projects, helping organizations plan, restore, and protect birds and bird habitats.
Our next round of applications will be open in Spring 2024. Follow along on our social channels, and on our Partnership Grants page for project updates and information about future funding cycles.
