MAINE’S IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS PROGRAM

Maine Audubon, in partnership with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, launched the Maine Important Bird Areas Program in the fall of 2001. A Technical Committee of two dozen bird and conservation experts met in late September to begin the initial steps of drafting the criteria and nomination forms for selection of Maine IBA sites. Although the Maine IBA program will be structured around other existing state IBA programs, several refinements to make the criteria suitable to Maine’s unique mix of bird communities are underway. A vital element of the new Maine IBA program is the involvement of volunteers and Audubon members in all phases of program development, from nominating and inventorying sites to long-term monitoring and assistance with management efforts. Through this type of involvement, we hope to see volunteers become the voices in their communities for bird conservation and sound stewardship of IBAs. Once criteria and nomination forms are completed (hopefully by the spring of 2002), IBA staff will be conducting outreach efforts to local community groups, Audubon chapters, and birding clubs to get them involved with the initial steps of the nomination process.

To Learn More About Maine Audubon’s
Important Bird Areas Program

Contact:
Susan Gallo
Wildlife Biologist
Maine Audubon
20 Gilsland Farm Road
Falmouth, ME 04105
(207)781-2330 ext. 216
sgallo@maineaudubon.org
www.maineaudubon.org