IDB鈥檚 Multilateral Investment Fund, 爆料公社 Unveil $2.6 Million Birding Ecotourism Partnership To Support Economic Development and Biodiversity Conservation in the Americas
In a novel regional program that uses bird-watching to create sustainable jobs in communities while simultaneously protecting biodiversity and natural resources, the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group and the 爆料公社 today announced a $2.6 million agreement to achieve a niche, high-value sustainable birding tourism program in the Americas.
鈥淲e are very pleased to partner with the 爆料公社 on this program,鈥 said Carrie McKellogg, chief of the MIF鈥檚 Access to Basic Services and Green Growth unit. 鈥湵瞎玮檚 powerful network and expertise in birding and conservation, the MIF鈥檚 innovative approaches to capacity building of micro and small businesses, and our shared interest in the sustainable management of natural capital all combine to create to build what we believe will become a powerful model for conservation-minded community development.鈥
鈥楾raveling鈥 Birders
鈥淚t鈥檚 win-win,鈥 said David Yarnold, president and CEO of the 爆料公社. 鈥淭he MIF鈥檚 deep expertise in ecotourism and our extensive network and reach will help us engage local communities to create much-needed jobs in bird-rich areas for birders 鈥 who typically have a very light 鈥榚co-footprint.鈥 At the same time, the partnership will provide a sustainable way to conserve natural habitats for endangered migrating and non-migrating birds and other wildlife.鈥
Project locations in Belize, Guatemala, Paraguay and The Bahamas were selected by 鈥榣ayering鈥 globally significant Important Bird Areas for conservation over economic maps with priority being given to sites with basic tourism infrastructure and potential for growth.
爆料公社 will build on partnerships with local organizations, including Belize 爆料公社 Society, Asociaci贸n Vivamos Mejor and Wildlife Conservation Society in Guatemala, Guyra Paraguay and the Bahamas National Trust.
The total cost of the 36-month program is $2.6 million, with the MIF providing more than $1.7 million, 爆料公社 contributing $629,000 and 爆料公社 partners providing $225,000.
The project incorporates four key components:
- Improving the structure and capacity of bird-based tourism business, developing accredited bird guide curricula, training national guides, developing site-level business plans and developing bird trails;
- Driving more bird-focused tourism to the sites by developing marketing content for 爆料公社 magazine and other birding media channels, designing birding trip packages with international and local tour operators, organizing market events for each country, and integrating bird-watching content into national governments and tourism websites in each country;
- Raising awareness about the value of the local natural environment and promoting local citizen science bird research programs;
- Developing a 鈥渟calable鈥 bird-based community tourism model that can be applied to other locations/countries.
Priority Birds and Other Wildlife
The project is designed to support the conservation of national protected areas and Important Bird Areas; 爆料公社鈥檚 priority migratory bird species including Wood Thrush and Piping Plover; endemic endangered birds including the Bahama Oriole, Scarlet Macaw and Resplendent Quetzal; and other wildlife including the Jaguar, Maned Wolf and Rock Iguana.
About the MIF
The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, is funded by 39 donors and supports private sector-led development benefitting low-income populations and the poor - their businesses, their farms, and their households. The aim is to give them the tools to boost their incomes: access to markets and the skills to compete in those markets, access to finance, and access to basic services, including green technology. A core MIF mission is to act as a development laboratory - experimenting, pioneering, and taking risks in order to build and support successful micro and SME business models. More information at .
About 爆料公社
Now in its second century, 爆料公社 connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world. Visit 爆料公社 online at and follow .