BEX News

History

Meet the Recipients

Couriers Needed

Equipment Drive

Apply Now!

En Español

Supporters

Home

BIRDERS' EXCHANGE RECIPIENTS

9th Annual Workshop on Wetlands Ecology and Conservation
Tabasco, Mexico

by Jim Corven

Participants at the Wetlands Ecology and Conservation Workshop.

On behalf of all the participants and organizers of the 9th annual workshop on Wetlands Ecology and Conservation held in Tabasco, Mexico I want to thank The American Birding Association for your very generous support. The materials and binoculars that were provided by Birders' Exchange (BEX) were extremely useful and very much appreciated. Further, I know that the materials will be valuable resources for the participants for a long time to come. The new Spanish translation of "A Neotropical Companion" was a very special surprise which was enthusiastically received by everyone.

Participants at the Wetlands Ecology and Conservation Workshop.

The Wetlands Ecology and Conservation Workshop is an annual course that has been conducted in a different state of Mexico for 10 years now. The whole complex of activities and events is coordinated by a local committee and begins with a public event celebrating World Wetlands Day (Feb. 2). Participants are from local public agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations involved in natural resource conservation, research, or education. The training is an intensive 14 days nonstop of lectures, presentations, and field trips on all aspects of wetlands structure, function, and management. The workshop brings in experts from Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico who provide extensive training is everything from wetlands hydrology, botany, wildlife, and birds to topics on legal, regulatory, international policy, and management of wetlands. This year's workshop was conducted in extreme southern state of Tabasco at the Centla Biosphere Reserve, encompassing one of the largest wetlands in the world. During our field trips participants were able to observe and conduct counts of the incredible avian diversity of the coastal wetlands where thousands of waterbirds (White Pelicans, Wood Storks, White Ibises, Roseate Spoonbills, all kinds of egrets and herons, kingfishers, and diverse landbirds such as warblers, hawks, kites, and falcons) can be found in extensive accumulations in the biologically rich fields and marshes of the reserve. A typical list for a casual field trip almost anywhere would include at least 30 to 50 species of waterbirds, leaving little doubt why the reserve is an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Wetlands Ecology and Conservation Workshop participant.

During the workshop the participants were able to use the field guides and binoculars on field trips in which we compiled extensive information on the Biosphere Reserve de Centla (one of the largest wetlands in the world) and during the course for their own observations. The professional staff of the Reserve especially appreciated the donation of the binoculars as they have regular tours of regional school groups, tourists, and local residents who otherwise would not be able to fully appreciate the biological richness of the reserve. The guides will now be better able to spot birds for visitors and monitor the species throughout the Reserve.

Centla Biosphere Reserve - Tabasco, Mexico

Once again, the contribution of Birders' Exchange has made a real difference to this annual wetlands training program and will provide an ongoing benefit for the staff, biologists, and visitors to the Centla Biosphere Reserve in Tabasco. Please accept my personal gratitude for your support. Attached are a number of photographs taken during the workshop that show the BEX contributions at work.

recipients list

Birders' Exchange
Sharing Tools, Saving Birds
A Program Across the Americas