IP and NFWF Celebrate the Role of Sustainable Forest Management in Conserving Habitat for the Swallow-Tailed Kite and Other Feathered Friends - Seite 2

World Migratory Bird Day is an important reminder to celebrate progress in conserving habitats for the swallow-tailed kite, while also drawing attention to the serious threats birds still face as they migrate. Bird migration is one of the great natural wonders of the world and about 20 percent of bird species migrate. But every year, these migrating birds face new threats. Birds may arrive at a regular stopover site only to discover it has been transformed into a suburban development. Birds hit powerlines and windows, and millions are hunted illegally. Climate change, perhaps the greatest of all threats to migration, is causing habitats to shift, shrink, or disappear entirely.

Since 1970, North America's bird population has dropped by almost 30 percent. Watch the ABC video 3 Billion Birds Lost.

These are just some of the important reasons IP and the NFWF formed the Forestland Stewards partnership in 2013 to conserve and restore southern forestlands, which comprise some of the United States' most iconic landscapes. The partnership supports projects to restore native forests, strengthen important fish and wildlife populations, and protect watersheds-while at the same time promoting and supporting working forests in 11 states across the US South.

About the Forestland Stewards Partnership

International Paper's conservation partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, known as Forestland Stewards, was created to conserve and restore southern forestlands. These forests provide critical habitats for endangered wildlife and economic opportunities for local communities.

Since 2013, International Paper has invested more than $13.4 million in project funding. These investments are leveraging more than $179 million in matching funds from federal, state, and private organizations, for a total conservation investment of more than $192 million. These projects, once fully implemented, will establish, and enhance more than 1.2 million acres of native forest and wildlife habitat, improve more than 770 miles of stream habitat, and engage nearly 26,000 private landowners through outreach and technical assistance to implement forest stewardship practices.