Thread by @diegolunaq

1/21 #ISTC20 Hello to all! It’s a pleasure to greet you from Santiago de Chile and share the experiences and perspectives of @WHSRN @ManometCenter with participants in the International Shorebird Twitter Conference 2020 #Sesh4

2 #ISTC20 During the 1980s, Canadian researchers Guy Morrison and Ken Ross flew the entire coast of South America, identifying from the air a series of key sites holding large numbers of shorebirds #Sesh4

3 #ISTC20 In May 1986, scientists, political leaders and local citizens came together to support the designation of Delaware Bay (USA) as the first WHSRN site, due to it supporting more than 500,000 shorebirds each year, and in particular the rufa subspecies of Red Knot #Sesh4

4 #ISTC20 After 34 years of uninterrupted conservation efforts @WHSRN now includes 107 sites in 17 countries covering more than 15.5 million hectares of critical habitat, and has over 400 committed partners. See whsrn.org #Sesh4

5 #ISTC20 Based in science, the hemispheric focus of @WHSRN is built from the “bottom-up”, working with local communities and partner at sites to inform local, national and flyway-scale conservation efforts and sustainable development. #Sesh4

6 #ISTC20 Humanity is in a race to avoid the sixth mass extinction of species, and the first to be caused by humans. Governments are failing to meet both the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals. Check the report cbd.int/gbo5 #Sesh4

7 #ISTC20 The food supply, human health and security are all at risk. The equation is simple, we either take action now or lose everything. See this article: nyti.ms/30abzdN #Sesh4

8 #ISTC20 Key questions that need to be answered include: What science do we need to know to be able to conserve biodiversity and natural capital in a world in crisis? #Sesh4

9 #ISTC20 What role should scientists play in response to the marked declines in the populations of many shorebird species? How do we use science to influence policy? #Sesh4

10 #ISTC20. The climate crisis is having serious impacts on the planet. What are the adaptation measures needed to maintain and restore shorebird populations and healthy habitats? #Sesh4

11 #ISTC20 Shorebird conservation is not possible without good governance. Is the research community participating in governance processes? How? #Sesh4

12 #ISTC20. We need to strengthen advocacy work to achieve changes in policies, laws and the practices of decision makers and people of influence. What action can science and researchers take to achieve that? #Sesh4

13 #ISTC20 To tackle the challenges facing the conservation of shorebirds @WHSRN is using the best science available to take action at the site scale, building the capacity of local partners. #Sesh4

14 #ISTC20 Our approach includes shorebird population surveys and monitoring, assessing the conservation status of sites, evaluating ecosystem services, engaging local communities... #Sesh4

15 #ISTC20 ...developing good governance processes, building capacity to manage habitats, and integrating shorebird needs with economically productive activities at sites. #Sesh4

16 #ISTC20. At the national scale, @WHSRN is supporting the development and implementation of shorebird conservation plans in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, which identify priority sites, and propose strategies, collaborative actions and indicators to address threats

17 #ISTC20. At the flyway scale, @WHSRN is helping to build partnerships that work across the diverse cultures, nationalities and languages in the Americas to deliver full lifecycle conservation for imperilled shorebird species. #Sesh4

18 #ISTC20 More and better alliances. @ManometCenter is helping to build coalitions for shorebird conservation, summing local actions to achieve hemispheric impact, linking projects, initiatives, partners and donors at 13 sites in the Americas bit.ly/3i61yVe #Sesh4

19 #ISTC20 Two final reflections to close: The first, the warning light is turned on regarding the declines of shorebird populations, and we need urgent responses from the scientific, public and private sectors and civil society at large #Sesh4

20 #ISTC20 The second, we need to double-down on advocacy efforts with authorities and decision-makers to achieve transformative changes. Conserving shorebirds needs action now! At risk is the whole ethic of survival of other species (and our own) #Sesh4

21/21 #ISTC20 On behalf of the Executive Office @WHSRN and @ManometCenter many thanks for the opportunity to participate. We will continue summing efforts to restore and conserve shorebird populations for the joy and benefit of future generations. #Sesh4