Habitat Loss – American Bird Conservancy

Report on International Team Operations and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Strategic Approach: Collaborative Partnerships for Sustainable Development

• The International Team’s operational model is founded upon specialized expertise throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, fostering strong, collaborative partnerships with local organizations and communities.
• This approach directly supports the achievement of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by creating a network of stakeholders dedicated to shared conservation and development objectives.

Core Objectives and SDG Integration

1. Habitat Protection: The primary mission is to protect critical habitats for avian species. This work is in direct alignment with SDG 15: Life on Land, which focuses on halting biodiversity loss and protecting terrestrial ecosystems.
2. Sustainable Land Stewardship: A key objective is to support the long-term sustainability of land stewardship efforts. This contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting sustainable land-use planning and management.
3. Community Co-benefits: The initiatives are designed to provide tangible benefits to local populations living near these important habitats. This strategy addresses SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by linking conservation outcomes with improved livelihoods and community well-being.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article directly addresses this goal through its focus on protecting terrestrial ecosystems. The phrases “protect the habitat birds need most” and supporting “the sustainability of land stewardship efforts” are central to SDG 15’s aim to halt biodiversity loss and protect terrestrial habitats.

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • This goal is highlighted by the statement about “forming strong partnerships with partners on the ground and local communities.” This collaborative approach is the essence of SDG 17, which emphasizes the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

3. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article connects to this goal with the phrase to “benefit those who live near these important habitats.” This implies that conservation efforts are linked to improving the livelihoods and economic well-being of local communities, which is a core component of poverty reduction strategies under SDG 1.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.5

   • Under SDG 15, Target 15.5 is relevant: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article’s commitment to “protect the habitat birds need most” directly aligns with this target of reducing habitat degradation and protecting species.

2. Target 17.17

   • Under SDG 17, Target 17.17 can be identified: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The article’s description of “forming strong partnerships with partners on the ground and local communities” is a clear example of a civil society partnership aimed at sustainable development.

3. Target 1.4

   • Under SDG 1, Target 1.4 is implied: “By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land…” The effort to “benefit those who live near these important habitats” through “land stewardship” suggests a connection to ensuring local communities gain economic benefits and control from their natural resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 15.5

   • The article does not state a specific metric, but it implies an indicator for measuring progress. The action of “protect the habitat” suggests that a relevant indicator would be the total area of critical bird habitat protected through the organization’s efforts and partnerships.

2. Implied Indicator for Target 17.17

   • Progress towards this target can be measured by an indicator implied in the text: the number of effective partnerships formed with local communities and on-the-ground organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

3. Implied Indicator for Target 1.4

   • The phrase “benefit those who live near these important habitats” implies an indicator related to the well-being of local populations. Progress could be measured by the level of economic and social benefits (e.g., income, employment, access to resources) delivered to local communities as a result of conservation and land stewardship programs.

Summary of Findings

Source: abcbirds.org