Shorebird Conservation Toolkit (06/09/06)

Good morning everyone:

Bianca Priest from WWF-Australia has sent the information below on the development of an online Shorebird Conservation toolkit. Aimed in the first instance at wetland managers, it is also intended to be of practical utility to any other conservation practitioners wishing to develop and implement their own shorebird conservation projects. It's easy to work through and packed with useful information and guidance - well worth a visit and sharing with colleagues.

With best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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Shorebird Conservation Toolkit

WWF-Australia with funding from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust is pleased to announce the launch of the Shorebird Conservation Toolkit – http://www.shorebirds.org.au - to help protect and enhance shorebird habitat across Australia.

The toolkit builds on the success of the national Shorebird Conservation Project (2001-2005), drawing from over 31 on-ground and community-driven shorebird conservation projects.

The toolkit is a comprehensive resource that will enable users to:
* understand and appreciate shorebirds, their habitat and conservation needs;
* locate important shorebird sites in Australia and access population estimates;
* develop site survey and monitoring programs;
* identify/assess site management needs, and implement/evaluate management actions;
* write grant applications, site communication plans and media releases;
* access existing resources;
* identify and advocate international/national conservation options; and
* access organisations with knowledge/expertise in practical shorebird and wetland conservation.

The toolkit is available on-line at http://www.shorebirds.org.au and on CD.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the toolkit contact: Bianca Priest, Shorebird Conservation Project, WWF-Australia, 0413 300 797, 03 6225 1394.

Regards

Bianca Priest, National Coordinator - Shorebird Conservation Project
WWF-Australia PO Box 2112
Lower Sandy Bay TAS 7005
Australia
(Tel: +61 3 6225 1394; Fax: +61 3 6225 1394; bpriest@wwf.org.au)

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Sandra Hails, CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 999 0176; Fax: +41 22 999 0169
E-mail: hails@ramsar.org
Web Site: http://ramsar.org
CEPA mini-Web site: http://ramsar.org/outreach_index.htm

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