Enacted in 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is an enduring cornerstone of the nation's wildlife conservation laws.  This course is designed to give participants a working knowledge of the legal and conservation implications of the MBTA, with special attention to the responsibilities of the Fish and Wildlife Service, through all of its programs, for migratory bird conservation.  Partnerships, resources and initiatives which address migratory bird conservation will also be discussed in detail, providing participants an excellent overview of how they can further implement migratory bird conservation.

Who Should Attend:  Who Should Attend: FWS biologists or other natural resource professionals, and law enforcement personnel responsible for implementing and administering Federal agency actions that have potential for impacting migratory birds.  Partners from the State and Tribes are especially encouraged to attend.

Length:  5 days/36 hours

College Credit:  2 Semester hours

Objectives:  By the end of this session, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the significant historical events leading to the passage of the MBTA and the four migratory bird conventions;
• Determine a statutory migratory bird and the Service's responsibility and challenges in implementing and enforcing the MBTA and other related bird conservation regulations;
• Discuss the existing initiatives, resources and partnerships which have been developed to address migratory bird conservation;
• Determine the permit or regulation which applies to a given scenario or activity;
• Develop a proposal for incorporating migratory bird activities at your location.