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International Wood Thrush Conservation Alliance The International Wood Thrush Conservation Alliance (Alliance) is a consortium of scientists and conservation biologists from academic institutions, agencies, and non-profits in Central and North America. It is focused on conserving Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) populations using the best available science and raising awareness about the conservation needs of associated forest birds and their habitats. Our specific mission is to ensure the long-term viability of Wood Thrush populations and the habitats on which they depend through science-based, full life cycle conservation planning, management, and education. Membership in the Alliance is open to all. A Steering Committee provides high-level vision and guidance in helping the Alliance achieve its mission and goals, and works directly with members, partners, and stakeholders to support science, conservation, and fund raising endeavors. Alliance Technical Committees guide research, conservation, and education projects. Our Goals Develop and implement a science-based, full life-cycle conservation plan that is focused on recovering and sustaining Wood Thrush populations through a framework of research, education, management, and monitoring. Identify and fill science and conservation knowledge gaps by conducting original research and interpreting existing science. Increase awareness about Wood Thrush conservation status and facilitate coordinated conservation planning throughout the species’ range. Develop communication mechanisms for sharing information, promoting the International Wood Thrush Conservation Alliance, and raising funds. Current Activities Presently there are three active Technical Committees conducting work to meet these goals: The Science Committee is guiding the Alliance in designing and implementing scientific investigations to fill gaps in our knowledge of Wood Thrush ecology at all life-cycle stages, and to ensure excellence in science conducted by the full group. The Breeding Grounds Conservation Committee is using existing and new science to develop Wood Thrush breeding season conservation strategies for implementation at all spatial scales. The group works closely with the Science Technical Committee to identify science gaps and design research to fill them. The group also considers issues associated with migration, such as pathways, stopover ecology, and geographical and biological linkages to the wintering grounds. Current Activities continued The Wintering Grounds Conservation Committee is using existing and new science to develop Wood Thrush wintering season conservation strategies for implementation at all spatial scales. The group works closely with the Science Technical Committee to identify science gaps and design research to fill them and considers issues associated with migration, such as pathways, stopover ecology, and geographical and biological linkages to the breeding grounds. The group also focuses on the need for monitoring during the winter (non-breeding) period, considers winter threats, and addresses unique conservation challenges associated with working in Latin America. Species Profile The Wood Thrush is among the most iconic and steadily declining of North America’s forest-dwelling songbirds. Throughout its breeding range in the eastern U.S. and Canada, Wood Thrush populations have declined by approximately 50 percent since the mid1960s. It has been on the Partners in Flight Watch List for more than a decade and is listed as Threatened in Canada. Recently, declines have accelerated in northern portions of the range and at higher elevations. The species is a symbol for Neotropical bird conservation and the need to protect forest health, not only in the U.S. and Canada, but also in Mexico and Central America where Wood Thrush spend the winter in lowland forests. Threats: Wood Thrush declines are linked to forest loss and fragmentation in both breeding and wintering areas. Reproductive success is impaired in small, isolated forests and fragmented landscapes where rates of nest predation and Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism are higher than in larger, more intact forested landscapes. Declining forest health, due to acid rain, deer over-browsing, and inappropriate forest management are also factors in the deterioration of Wood Thrush populations. Loss of primary forests in the tropics may force birds into secondary habitats where they may have higher winter mortality rates and lowered fitness, which could weaken their ability to migrate and breed successfully. Contact Learn More Chair Ron Rohrbaugh, Asst. Dir. of Conservation Science Cornell Lab of Ornithology [email protected] Learn more about Wood Thrush natural history: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Thrush International Coordinator Becky Keller, Science Coordinator Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture [email protected] Keep informed about our activities by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/iwothca Join the Work Group: https://griffingroups.com/groups/profile/25137/i nternational-wood-thrush-conservation-alliance