About
Together we can do more to preserve and restore habitats that will sustain healthy populations of waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland dependent species.
The Power of a Partnership
Partnerships are powerful when people share a common vision. Our mission to protect wetland habitats throughout the San Francisco Bay region for the benefit of birds, fish, and other wildlife originally brought together a dedicated group of visionaries in the mid 1990s, many of whom still actively participate in our JV. Over the years we have steadily welcomed new partners and a diversity of ideas to help us stay relevant and keep us on track toward achieving our mission. We continue to assess our approach and identify new strategies and actions needed to realize this shared vision amidst changing times. We are grateful for and proud of the relationships we have built to deliver coordinated habitat conservation on behalf of the Bay Area.
With a shared passion for birds and their wetland habitats, we believe by working together, our partnership has the power to positively impact birds, other wildlife and people through our efforts and ambitious conservation goals.
See our 2024 SFBJV Factsheet for more information on what we do!
Where We Work
San Francisco Bay is a breathtaking and defining feature of the region, beloved by the people who live here and the millions who visit annually. It is also a critical stopover point along the Pacific Flyway for multitudes of shorebirds and waterfowl and has been given many other national and international designations because of its value to migratory birds. Ramsar named it a wetland of international importance in 2013, the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network recognizes it as one of only 13 “Hemispheric Reserves”, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan lists it as a high priority area for waterfowl, and the National Audubon Society has identified several “Important Bird Areas” in and around the coastal waters nearby.
The Migratory Bird Joint Venture Program
Joint Ventures were established in 1986 to address the need for conservation of waterfowl and wetlands under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. They have since become an exemplary national model of regional partnerships with a demonstrated history of conserving habitat for the benefit of birds, other wildlife and people.
There are currently 22 Habitat Joint Ventures across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, including ours, the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture (SFBJV). In addition, three Species Joint Ventures work to further the scientific understanding needed to manage populations of specific bird species. (Arctic Goose, Black Duck and Sea Duck). Since each JV is self -directed and represents a different geography, bird species and demographics, no two JVs are alike! What they all share is a vision of a North American Landscape where diverse populations of native birds thrive, believing also that the well-being of our nation depends upon the health of our landscapes and our wildlife.
The SFBJV officially joined the program in 1996 as the most urban and smallest of the MBJVs, yet charged with protecting the largest estuary on the Pacific Coast of North America. We may be small in staff and geographic size, but we have a mighty responsibility.
Who We Are
We value the dedication, knowledge and areas of expertise of our vast partnership!
Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
Get Involved
Involvement with the SFBJV can range from being a member of the management board to participating in any of our working committees. It also may involve taking advantage of opportunities such as project design review or adoption by our conservation committee, learning how a project fits into the larger Bay Area wetland restoration scene, or letting us help you find and/or apply for a grant, among other benefits.
Our management board and four working committees provide direction and guidance for our work and are how we stay attuned to and engaged with the people who are making a difference in Bay Area conservation.
