Wildlife Without Borders LAC Central America 2017

Central America possesses one of the richest concentrations of species and ecosystem diversity on Earth. The regionâ¿¿s forests serve as irreplaceable flyways for migratory birds, provide important watershed and ecosystem services, and reduce the severity of climate change impacts. Central Americaâ¿¿s wildlife and ecosystems are among the most threatened with some of the highest land conversion and deforestation rates in the world. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) works closely with national governments, U.S. agencies, and a range of other partners to ensure a results-based approach to conserving priority species, habitats and ecological processes across landscapes with high biodiversity value in Central America. Protecting wildlife and forests is a critical element in securing food sources, livelihoods and sustainable development for the region. USFWS is providing this funding opportunity to reduce threats to key species and ecosystems in Central America and to strengthen the requisite local individual and institutional capacity to sustain conservation processes in the long-term. Authorizing Legislation: Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-43)