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Campaign manager: Liz Assef
Partner: Fundación Inalafquen
Of the 87 species of shorebirds in the Western Hemisphere, many argue that none is more impressive than the rufa Red Knot (Calidris canutus). This medium-sized sandpiper flies more than 8,000 miles each spring from as far south as Tierra del Fuego to its breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra, and then reverses the trip each autumn—making this bird one of the longest distance migrants in the animal kingdom.
Along its route, the Red Knot relies on precious “staging areas” in South and North America to rest and refuel before continuing on the next leg of its journey. Since the 1980s, Red Knots have experienced one of the most rapid population declines ever documented -- from over 50,000 in 1985 to fewer than 15,000 today. Threats to the Red Knot come not just from the distance of its migratory journey but also from the impact that people are having on the fragile ecosystems critical to the bird’s survival.
The San Antonio Bay Natural Protected Area in Río Negro, Argentina is the single most important stopover site in South America for Red Knots. Next to the Bay is the popular beach-town of Las Grutas which swells with tourists in the Argentine summer months. Disturbance of the shorebirds from beachgoers, especially those on 4x4 vehicles, can be severe.
Through a partnership between Rare and the Manomet Foundation, the Argentina-based Fundación Inalafquen is running a Pride campaign to increase the knowledge of the existence and importance of the Red Knots, and to empower local communities to promote responsible 4x4 vehicular uses on alternative trails.
Pride campaign manager and Fundación Inalafquen staffer Liz Assef has been working with the municipal government and other local groups to design and build a strategy for developing an alternate 4x4 trail away from the beach. This will allow for tourists and residents to continue enjoying the use of 4x4s, yet safeguard important areas for Red Knots and other shorebirds. For technical assistance and additional leadership, Liz has engaged a local 4x4 rental company that is providing support for the construction of the trail, as well as promoting its use among its clients. Local schools are participating in the creation and distribution of marketing materials, and the municipal government has also been enlisted to support the campaign.
Progress on the campaign…
- • Completed the zoning and permitting process for the trail, and started construction of alternative trail circuit.
- • Created marketing materials including mascot costume, posters, t-shirts, flags, and signage that are distributed at campaign events.
- • Coordinated and implemented numerous outreach activities including a local Red Knot theater production, several beach-side environmental art exhibitions, focus groups with young 4x4 riders, school field trips to the local environmental interpretation center, and local shorebird festivals.
To further explore this campaign, please visit our conservation community at RarePlanet.org.
