September 2024 Advisory Group Meeting
The CINDI Advisory Group Meeting, held on September 17, 2024, gathered experts to provide strategic guidance on aligning the CINDI tool with management needs and user applications. The meeting's objectives were to review CINDI's goals and progress, and to clarify the diverse decision-making processes for bird island restoration. Attendees included representatives from state andfederal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and NOAA RESTORE program liaisons.
Dr. David Essian presented findings from a pilot study funded by the Knobloch Family Foundation, which laid the groundwork for CINDI’s current efforts. This pilot led to the creation of an online tool that helps managers prioritize islands for restoration based on bird species productivity, foraging habitats, and restoration costs. Using this tool, the project screened 162 islands to assess their restoration potential, highlighting factors such as nest survival rates and habitat suitability for key bird species.
The post-presentation discussion centered on refining the bird island prioritization model by addressing time-bound restoration needs, habitat progression, and economic considerations such as erosion rates and proximity to material sources. Participants stressed the need for adaptive management strategies that consider species-specific requirements, island network stability, and the long-term sustainability of restored habitats.
The group also explored potential applications for the CINDI tool, emphasizing its role in early planning processes, especially in Beneficial Use projects, and its potential to inform risk management and human disturbance mitigation. Future tool enhancements were suggested, including integrating broader datasets, refining risk and disturbance factors, and increasing outreach and education efforts to improve its usability for managers and policymakers.
In conclusion, the CINDI tool aims to deliver a co-produced, scientifically rigorous framework for prioritizing island rehabilitation efforts, enhancing waterbird populations, and ensuring sustainable management of Texas's vital rookery islands.
Read the entire Meeting Report in the link below.