A Common Benchmark for All
The recommendation outlined in the 2012 Revision of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP or Plan) to “Develop, revise or reaffirm NAWMP objectives so that all facets of North American waterfowl management share a common benchmark” presented a timely challenge for the waterfowl management community. Work throughout 2013-14 led to this document, an addendum to the Plan, which outlines revised objectives for waterfowl populations, waterfowl habitat, and those who enjoy and actively support waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
Three Integrated Goals
Published in September 2014 by the NAWMP Committee, this milestone document established three integrated goals:
- Waterfowl Populations - Maintain long-term average (LTA) breeding duck populations (1955–2014 TSA; 1990–2014 ESA) while periodically achieving aspirational peaks of ≥40 million total breeding ducks in the Traditional Survey Area and ≥2.7 million in the Eastern Survey Area.
- Waterfowl Supporters - Increase active support (hunters, viewers, stamp purchasers, and participating landowners) to at least the levels recorded over the previous two decades.
- Waterfowl Habitat - Conserve dynamic wetland systems with the capacity to sustain LTA populations, support periodic abundance, and deliver recreation and ecological services.
Linking Objectives Through Adaptive Management
The addendum emphasizes that true progress requires linking these objectives through adaptive management, Joint Venture landscape planning, human-dimensions surveys, and harvest-policy refinement. It marked a pivotal step in implementing the 2012 Revision and set the stage for the next full NAWMP update in 2024.
