The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
As an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, CMS provides a global platform for the conservation of migratory animals and their habitats. CMS brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range. As of May 2018, there are 126 Parties, or signatory nations, to the Convention. Several countries – including the United States – are not Party to the Convention, but are Party to one or more of the Agreements and/or have signed one or more of the CMS Memorandum of Understandings.
The global policy decisions that CMS nations make relating to conservation practices, wildlife habitat preservation, and coastal mudflats restoration are influenced by the work of dedicated biologists whose studies are international in scope. Through this scientific work, Calidris canutus was included in the CMS Species List as a 'near threatened' species as of 1979; the subspecies C.c. rufa was added in 2014.
By educating yourself about Red Knots and other shorebirds,
you can be a part of helping these magnificent fellow creatures continue their inspiring global flights.
There are many international governmental agencies, NGOs, and dedicated individuals working to preserve and restore crucial migratory habitats. Visit the websites listed below to learn more:
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
TeamPiersma: Biologist Theunis Piersma (for whom the subspecies C.c. piersmai is named), has led much of the world-wide research on Red Knots.
The Narrow Edge: A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab, and an Epic Journey by environmental writer Deborah Cramer.
East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership: A conservation advocate for all migratory waterbirds and their habitats within the EAA Flyway.
World Migratory Bird Day: Focused on celebrating WMBD around the world, helping people to communicate and learn across borders, within, and between the world's flyways.
Wetlands International: A global not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands, with abundant resources lists.
Birdlife International: A global Partnership of independent organizations working together as one for nature and people. From the Amazon to the Zambezi, from the Tundra to the Tierra del Fuego, BirdLife Partnership is active in more than 120 countries worldwide.
Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre: Promotes awareness of New Zealand's Pukorokoro Miranda coast, including its shorebirds and their ecology, while facilitating research and education.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: The key international convention for the conservation of wetlands including tidal-flats, many of which have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance or ‘Ramsar Sites’.
Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network: WHSRN’s mission is to conserve shorebirds and their habitats through a network of key sites across the Americas.
Janet and Lee welcome proposals for collaborations that use the artwork of Red Knots: A Cultural Cartography to promote conservation, environmental, and educational efforts. Please include in your proposal: the names of flyways or paintings of interest; concept for usage; and organizational affiliation. Response time will vary, depending on the season and the artist’s proximity to internet access.
Contact The Red Knots Project