Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica), Terek Sandpipers (Xenus cinereus),
Grey Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola), Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) ⓒ Elize Ng

Elize Ng([email protected]), University of Queensland

Conservation along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) presents unique challenges due to its transboundary nature. Migratory shorebirds traverse a vast network of countries, each with differing conservation priorities, capacities, and policies. Safeguarding these birds requires international cooperation to address threats holistically across the entire flyway. With limited resources available for conservation, it is crucial to evaluate which actions are most effective, enabling practitioners to prioritize strategies that deliver the greatest benefits for shorebirds.

To tackle this, the University of Queensland has initiated a project to document and evaluate conservation actions that have been implemented for EAAF shorebird species. Led by Professor Richard Fuller and Associate Professor Tatsuya Amano, this project aims to build a comprehensive database of these efforts. By analysing both successful and less effective practices, we seek to identify what works (and what doesn’t!) and to uncover gaps in current strategies.

Central to this effort is gathering input from organizations and managers actively involved in shorebird conservation along the flyway. We are eager to learn about the conservation actions that you have implemented, the challenges you have faced, and the outcomes of these efforts. To make this possible, we will launch a survey in early 2025 and would love for you to participate! The information collected will be synthesized into a management handbook—a practical resource offering guidelines for effective shorebird conservation. This handbook will highlight the key traits of successful strategies while fostering collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and achievements across the flyway.

Recognizing the linguistic diversity of the EAAF, we also understand that valuable conservation knowledge is often documented in a wide range of languages. This diversity reflects the cultural and ecological richness of the flyway but can also act as a barrier to collaboration and sharing of expertise. To address this, we are seeking native speakers to join the project. These contributors will play a vital role in identifying and translating conservation actions recorded in their native languages, such as academic articles and management action plans. By doing so, we can hope to comprehensively document the valuable insights from across our linguistically diverse and that the final resource is as inclusive and comprehensive as possible.

We would love to hear from shorebird habitat managers, non-English speakers, or anyone else interested in contributing to this vital work. Whether you have experience to share, ideas to propose, or a willingness to assist in the search for conservation efforts, your input is invaluable. For further information or to express your interest, please email project manager Elize Ng at [email protected].

We look forward to hearing about your efforts to protect these incredible birds and the essential flyway they call home.

Red-necked Stints (Calidris ruficollis), Curlew Sandpipers (Calidris ferruginea) ⓒ Elize Ng