History of the Sonoran Joint Venture
In 1999, after a meeting of interested parties from the U.S. and Mexico, The Sonoran Desert Joint Venture was formed as the first transnational Migratory Bird Joint Venture. It was also the first focused on all birds and not just waterfowl based, as were previous Joint Ventures. Over the next several years we expanded our boundaries and planning based on Bird Conservation Regions, dropping the “Desert” from our name and becoming the Sonoran Joint Venture. During this time, the SJV Coordinator (the only original staff member) worked to form a strong partnership, develop foundational documents such as the first draft of the SJV Strategic Plan, identify conservation priorities, and receive formal acknowledgement and official recognition as a North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) Migratory Bird Joint Venture from the Plan Committee. The Coordinator also began the SJV Awards Program to get funds into the hands of partners to address these conservation needs.
The mission of the Sonoran Joint Venture is to conserve the unique birds and habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
In 2003 the SJV staff increased from one to three full-time employees with the addition of a Science Coordinator and Education & Outreach Coordinator. Over the next twenty years, the SJV expanded its efforts and reach, growing collaborative partnerships and achieving conservation successes throughout the region. Today the SJV brings partners across borders to work together in support of the unique birds, habitats, and human communities of this region.
About Migratory Bird Joint Ventures
The Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV) is part of the Migratory Bird Joint Venture network. Migratory Bird Joint Ventures are cooperative, regional partnerships that work to conserve habitat for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. The SJV is one of 25 Joint Ventures, and one of only two JVs whose region is transnational between the U.S. and Mexico. Since the NAWMP called for their establishment in 1986, Joint Ventures have grown to cover all the U.S. and Canada, and much of Mexico. Joint Ventures bring together partners to accomplish together what would be difficult or impossible to achieve alone. We make conservation happen by working with local partners in ways that support people and wildlife.
Our Structure
The SJV has a core staff that supports day-to-day operations of the SJV partnership. Our voluntary, regional partnership comprises organizations and individuals from universities, state and federal agencies, Native Nations, private industry, private landowners, non-profit organizations, and other partners from across the U.S. and Mexico that collaborate to address bird and habitat conservation needs.
The SJV is advised by our Management Board, which is made up of key representatives from the organizations that form the JV partnership. The Management Board provides overall leadership, guidance, resources, and support to the SJV to ensure that the partnership reaches its conservation goals.
The SJV Science Working Group serves as an advisory committee to the JV and its staff, as well as aids our partners. Members of the group work together to compile information, prioritize needs, identify funding for priorities, and conduct on-the-ground restoration, education, management, research, and bird population monitoring.