THE SYNERGIES OF ADVANCING CONSERVATION: USING FIELD RESEARCH AND AVIAN MONITORING TO BUILD CAPACITY AND CONSERVATION AWARENESS

The scarcity of funding for biodiversity conservation demands efficient use of available funds to achieve broad outcomes with multiple benefits. Since 1992, my work in the Dominican Republic has yielded significant successes and lessons through field research and long-term avian monitoring programs. Studies of the Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) have enhanced our understanding of the importance of conservation actions throughout the entire annual cycle of migratory birds. This work has also had a critical impact on field training and capacity building, growth of conservation awareness, promotion of ecotourism, the value of agroforestry as conservation, and even the health and well-being of human communities. Through monitoring efforts in the Sierra de Bahoruco, I have demonstrated the value of protocols that provide comprehensive information about all bird species using the study areas. This includes data on the distribution and ecology of little-known bird species, habitat requirements, community composition, and behavior. Monitoring has also provided a platform to investigate habitat-specific demographics, nesting success, impacts of avian malaria and ectoparasites, and the effects of habitat use and climate change. This body of work underscores the importance of collaborations with friends and colleagues, diverse partnerships, and the involvement of local communities in advancing research and conservation objectives.