Ecosystem Management, which began about 1994, represents a new approach by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to address its responsibilities for fish and wildlife resources. The FWS has significantly reorganized along ecosystem lines at both the regional and national level. At the field level, ecosystem management is expressed in terms of 30 ecosystem teams. The Ohio River watershed is the basis for the Ohio River Valley Ecosystem (ORVE) team. The ORVE team established 7 "Resource Priorities" for the ORVE. One of the 7 is migratory birds. Each Resource Priority has an associated subgroup whose charge is to implement the Action Strategies. A primary strategy of implementation requires engaging the cooperation and support of partners. Here is the Migratory Bird Resource Priority and its associated Action Strategies:Migratory Bird Resource Priority
In cooperation with partners, reverse the decline and maintain stable
populations of migratory landbirds and other bird species of concern.
Action Strategy A
Obtain information on the distribution, abundance, trends, and habitat
associations of migratory landbirds and other bird species of concern co-ocurring
in the ORVE, and consolidate this information into systems (reports, databases,
or GIS) useful to resource managers.
Action Strategy B
Using information obtained in "Action Strategy A" and other information,
conduct analyses of existing and potential threats to migratory landbirds
and other bird species of concern in the ORVE.
Action Strategy C
Protect, restore, and enhance habitat to stabilize declining populations
and maintain viable populations of migratory landbirds and other bird species
of concern whose breeding range occupies a significant portion of the ORVE.
Action Strategy D
Disseminate educational and outreach information in cooperation with
Partners in Flight and using other delivery mechanisms.
Action Strategy E
Work within the FWS and with Partners in Flight to monitor and influence
the situation of migratory landbirds and other bird species of concern
where they winter outside the ORVE.