Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative

The Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative (WHMSI) would seek to contribute significantly to the conservation of the migratory species of the Western Hemisphere by strengthening communication and cooperation among nations, international conventions and civil society, and by expanding constituencies and political support. The initiative would include all migratory species, covering taxa as diverse as birds, marine turtles, marine and terrestrial mammals, fishes and invertebrates.

Objectives include, among others, to maintain a compilation of pertinent conservation resources; promote the adoption of best management practices; mitigate primary threats; restore populations of threatened species; facilitate the generation of key information; produce a catalogue of areas of importance for migratory species; articulate ongoing and planned conservation efforts; communicate and raise awareness of the ecological, economic and cultural importance of migratory species; and increase the constituency that supports the conservation of migratory species, including through the promotion of local initiatives.