Joint Venture” is a term usually associated with the business world; essentially, a business JV is an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together. However, in the mid-1980s, joint ventures interested in migratory bird conservation began to form. In the bird conservation world, JVs are self-directed partnerships of agencies, organizations, corporations, tribes, or individuals that have formally accepted the responsibility of implementing national or international bird conservation plans within a specific geographic area or for a specific taxonomic group, and has received general acceptance in the bird conservation community for such responsibility. Currently in the U.S., there are 18 habitat JVs (see map below) and 3 “species” JVs (Arctic Goose, Black Duck, and Sea Duck) that focus solely on species or species groups of waterfowl.

Map depicting 18 habitat Joint Ventures in the U.S. Image Credit: USFWS

What do Joint Ventures do?

Working both collectively and independently, joint venture partners conduct activities in support of bird conservation goals cooperatively developed by the partnership. These activities include:

• biological planning, conservation design, and prioritization,
• project development and implementation,
• monitoring, evaluation, and applied research activities,
• communications and outreach,
• fund-raising for projects and activities.

How can I learn more about Joint Ventures?

Visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Division of Bird Habitat Conservation website
Visit websites of other Joint Ventures