International Thematic Clearing-House Mechanisms

BirdLife International

BirdLife International is a global Partnership of non-governmental conservation organisations with a focus on birds that works together on shared priorities, exchanging skills, achievements and information, and so growing in ability, authority and influence. BirdLife International is present in 103 countries and territories worldwide. The BirdLife International Partnership strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. Its aims are:

• To prevent extinction and maintain or improve the status of all bird species
• To conserve and improve the quality of sites and habitats for birds
• To conserve biodiversity by protecting birds and their habitats
• To integrate bird conservation into sustaining people’s livelihoods

Global Invasive Species Program (GISP)

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed between the Secretariat and the Global Invasive Species Program (GISP) on June 8, 2001. The purpose of this MOC is to assist the SCBD to develop a pilot initiative on invasive alien species within the work programme of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA). In addition, GISP will act as an international thematic focal point under the Clearing-House Mechanism. Specific activities under the MOC include: dissemination of information on invasive alien species to Parties, governments and the general public; collaboration in the elaboration and development of programs pertaining to the prevention, elimination and management of invasive alien species; and participation in GISP activities, particularly those of the GISP Information Management Group.

Global Taxonomy Initiative

The Global Taxonomy Initiative is a Cross-cutting Issue addressed under the CBD. Its aim is to ensure that the taxonomic skills and knowledge necessary to implementation of the Convention are available where needed. A major component of this is the sharing of information between parties, organizations and individuals. The collaboration with the CHM as an international thematic focal point, is designed to ensure this dissemination of taxonomic information on animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms through the development of a global taxonomic information system. This will ensure that Parties, governments, conservation and environmental management personnel and the general public can obtain and share information. In addition the CHM will disseminate the results of National, Regional and Global taxonomic needs assessments.

NatureServe

NatureServe is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing knowledge to protect the natural world. Working in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and a network of scientific experts, NatureServe helps protect our environment by improving public understanding of biodiversity and by developing essential information about rare and endangered plants and animals and threatened ecosystems. Reflecting a continuation of The Nature Conservancy's 25-year commitment to science-based conservation, NatureServe was established to meet the need for sound scientific information by conservationists, land managers, and the public. Exemplifying the conservation credo "think globally, act locally," NatureServe works with an international network of member programs comprising natural heritage programs and conservation data centers in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Latin America. NatureServe and its member programs not only collect and manage detailed local information on plants, animals, and ecosystems, but analyze and distribute it to help meet local, national, and global conservation needs.

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed between the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and NaturServe.