The seasonal ebb and flow of migratory birds is one of the most complex and compelling dramas in the natural world. Driven by a genetic memory millions of years in the making, these animals embark twice each year on long-distance journeys between their breeding areas and wintering grounds. Their travels traverse states, landscapes, and oceans throughout the hemispheres linking the countries, peoples, and ecosystems they visit. The conservation and management of animals capable of such impressive mobility requires strong federal leadership to foster effective partnerships among the many nations, states, provinces, tribes and organizations that are woven together by the flight paths of these remarkable species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is the principal federal agency charged with protecting and enhancing the populations and habitats of more than 800 species of migratory birds that spend all or part of their lives in the United States. The Service is committed to undertaking an unprecedented level of cooperation and coordination to protect and conserve these international treasures. The Migratory Bird Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enjoys a rich and successful tradition. It has been instrumental, on its own and with partners, in delivering bird conservation throughout the hemisphere for several decades. It is a critical hub through which much is accomplished. This strategic plan outlines the future direction of the Migratory Bird Program and how it will continue to contribute to bird conservation in North America and around the world. Like a "blueprint" it lays out the goals and design for a promising future for migratory birds. This "blueprint" reflects the collective wisdom of many people and groups that care deeply about birds and their habitats. Birds are indicators of the health and quality of our environment and are enjoyed by a large proportion of our citizens. It is critically important for us to better understand the dynamics of those bird populations and habitats that are in trouble and then take actions to intervene strategically and effectively whenever we can. And it is also important to support actions to keep "common birds common." Clearly, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service alone cannot achieve the conservation of migratory birds - it will take the collective and coordinated efforts of thousands of partner organizations and citizens to do this. Birds are everywhere and we all have a responsibility to act on their behalf. As directed by international treaties and domestic legislation, the United States government and its people have called upon the Service to serve as a leader, a catalyst, and a facilitator of local, regional, national, and international partnerships to protect, restore, and manage all native migratory birds for future generations. This plan provides the structure and framework to guide the Service in this all-important effort. We will use this strategic plan as a guidepost for future funding and policy decisions; however, this plan is both dynamic and evolutionary. We will revise it periodically, with input from our partners, to reflect lessons learned from both our successes and our failures. And we will hold ourselves accountable for results which will add up to a better future for migratory birds and their habitats throughout the hemisphere and beyond. As you read this plan, please consider how you can contribute to the Vision, Priorities, Goals, and Strategies of the "blueprint." It will take all of us to make it happen. And the beneficiarie s will be future generations of citizens who will continue to hear birds singing in the morning; who will delight in seeing a bird in their backyard or along a nature trail; or who will enjoy connecting with nature through a hunting experience.