The North American Waterfowl Management Plan Committee is the international body that provides leadership and oversight for activities undertaken to achieve the NAWMP goals and objectives. With members appointed from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Plan Committee serves as the continental voice for waterfowl and wetland conservation, connecting science, policy, and partnership across borders.
Roles & Responsibilities
Champions of the Plan
The Plan Committee's mandate falls into two areas: Plan Leadership and Plan Management. On the leadership side, the Committee takes advice from Plan partners, the Science Support Team, the Human Dimensions Working Group, and the Communications Committee to advance waterfowl conservation at the continental level.
- Champions NAWMP through strategic planning and broad stakeholder engagement
- Promotes development and assessment of continental population, habitat, and human dimension objectives
- Enhances communications on waterfowl conservation within North America and with other nations
- Serves as a forum for major international waterfowl issues and develops recommendations for the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican wildlife agencies
- Fosters synergy across Joint Ventures, Flyway Councils, NGOs, and federal, state, and provincial agencies
Roles & Responsibilities
Keeping the Plan on Course
Beyond leadership, the Plan Committee has responsibility for updating the Plan and ensuring its goals and objectives are implemented across the continent.
- Reviews and monitors progress toward population, habitat, and human dimension objectives
- Solicits annual input from Joint Ventures and Plan partners on implementation status
- Reviews Joint Venture conservation plans and encourages coordination on waterfowl biology and habitat monitoring, and integration of actions to achieve all three NAWMP goals
- Maintains strong relationships with Joint Ventures, Flyway Councils, and other bird initiatives
- Ensures communication with upper levels of federal agencies to inform leaders and facilitate resources
- Periodically reviews the Plan Committee's own effectiveness and considers structural adjustments
2024 Committee Members
A Continental Partnership
The Plan Committee consists of 18 members, six each from the United States, Canada, and México, appointed by each country's Director of Wildlife.
United States
- Jerome Ford, US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Mitch Hartley, US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Joe Benedict, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency / Mississippi Flyway
- Blair Stringham, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources / Pacific Flyway
- Billy Dukes, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources / Atlantic Flyway
- Casey Anderson, North Dakota Game and Fish / Central Flyway
Canada
- Marie-Josée Couture, Canadian Wildlife Service
- Vanessa Charlwood, Canadian Wildlife Service
- Joe Crocker, Canadian Wildlife Service
- Stephen Carlyle, Manitoba Habitat Conservancy
- Pat Kehoe, Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Sue Cotterill, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
México
- C. Fernando Gual Sill, General Directorate of Wildlife
- Leonel Urbano, General Directorate of Wildlife
- Omar Rocha, General Directorate of Wildlife
- Eduardo Carrera, Ducks Unlimited México
- Humberto Antonio Berlanga García, National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity
- David Antonio Fuentes Montalvo, General Directorate of Wildlife
Connect
Contact the Plan Committee
- Tony Roberts, US Fish and Wildlife Service, NAWMP Coordinator – anthony_roberts@fws.gov
