Ensuring the sustainability of priority bird populations, their habitats, and the communities of which they are a part.
East Gulf Coastal Plain JV
The East Gulf Coastal Plain Joint Venture (EGCPJV) is a voluntary public‐private partnership that seeks to strategically advance the conservation of birds and bird habitats in the East Gulf Coastal Plain area. The EGCPJV covers portions of 6 states and partners include state and federal agencies, non-governmental agencies, universities and additional organizations which share our vision of bird conservation. The partnership is currently focused on advancing the science of bird conservation, restoring high priority habitat types, increasing the capacity for prescribed fire, , and using effective communications to ensure that the partnership can achieve its vision.
Where We Work
The EGCPJV is a critical link for continental‐scale bird conservation and management. The region provides important breeding, migratory, and wintering habitats for a diversity of species of conservation concern, with over 300 bird species using the region during some portion of their annual cycles.
Over 180 bird species are known to breed in the EGCP. The region supports acreages of longleaf pine and maritime communities and extensive bottomland hardwood forests. These habitat and community types are among the highest priorities for conservation attention in the United States.
Priority Species & Habitats
Since our formation, we have completed the East Gulf Coastal Plain Landbird and Waterbird Conservation Plans, which identify high priority bird species. Our habitat priorities include upland hardwood and pine-hardwood woodlands and forests, eastern interior grasslands, pine dominated woodlands, and savannas, freshwater and coastal wetlands, and eastern scrub shrub.
The EGCPJV is a critical link for continental‐scale bird conservation and management. The region provides important breeding, migratory, and wintering habitats for myriad species of conservation concern, with over 300 bird species using the region during some portion of their annual cycles.
Prescribed Fire
Prescribed burning is an integral part of the cultural heritage of the Southern coastal plains going back to pre-colonial times. Prescribed fire is “good fire” that limits the risk of catastrophic wildfire, so its smoke is a signal that safety measures are taking place.
In The News
Conservation Through Collaboration: The Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership
February 5, 2026
The Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership (GCPEP), formed in 1996, brings together 19 public and private partners to conserve and restore the longleaf pine ecosystem and unique aquatic resources of northwest Florida and southern Alabama.
Waterbird Conservation Plan Rollout Meetings
January 24, 2026
After the completion of the Waterbird Conservation Plan in 2024, EGCPJV staff were excited to share the effort with our many partners, while also learning what challenges they face when planning and implementing conservation actions for priority waterbird species like King Rail, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Plover and American Oystercatcher.
Partner Spotlight: Dr. Phil Darby
January 5, 2026
Dr. Phil Darby with the University of West Florida (UWF) began his collaboration with the EGCPJV in 2015 when he initiated a long-term wintering waterfowl survey in the Pensacola region.