Green Heron
Although still widespread, the Green Heron has experienced significant long-term population declines largely due to wetland loss and development, highlighting the ongoing importance of conserving healthy, intact wetland habitats for this solitary species.

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.

JV staff and contractors hosted four in-person and two on-line meetings with participation from more than 65 partners during 2025. These meetings provided a venue to introduce the plan’s content and potential uses and served as a forum for partners to highlight local waterbird conservation efforts. 

Additionally, participants discussed the barriers to waterbird conservation in their areas and shared suggestions on how the JV partnership might reduce obstacles and enhance waterbird conservation efforts in the East Gulf Coastal Plain. Challenges included a lack of knowledge about baseline waterbird populations and habitat use, perceived conflicts with other user groups, and the difficulty of creating and  restoring habitat. Despite these challenges, the workshops refined information needs and clarified the roles the EGCPJV can fulfill in supporting waterbird conservation.

Waterbird conservation plan east gulf coastal plain joint venture
Waterbird conservation plan summary east gulf coastal plain joint venture

Waterbird Conservation Plan and Summary

The Waterbird Conservation Plan defines quantitative, spatially-explicit bird population and habitat objectives derived from biological planning and conservation design processes.

View the Plans