	Important Bird Areas
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Utah Important Bird Areas Program

An Introduction

Background on the Important Bird Areas Program

While operating independently within the State, the Utah Important Bird Area (IBA) Program is contributing to an international IBA effort initiated in 1985 by BirdLife International. The program reached the United States in 1995, where Audubon is now administrator of the project. Under the auspices of Audubon, state-based programs are identifying Important Bird Areas within each state.

IBAs are sites that provide essential habitat for one or more species of bird. IBAs include sites for breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds. The IBA Program is designed to be proactive, voluntary, participatory, science-based and credible. The IBA program works to identify, monitor and conserve sites for birds. The program connects to other IBA sites throughout the United States and the world. Additional information about the Important Bird Area Program in the United States can be found at www.audubon.org/bird/iba.

Background on the Utah IBA Program

In Dec. 2001 there was a general kick-off meeting for the Utah IBA program.

Subsequently, a Utah IBA Technical Committee was formed, comprised of numerous bird experts and enthusiasts from Audubon, other birding groups and federal and state representatives. The Utah Technical Committee has established the State-specific criteria and a nomination form for the Utah IBA program based on the World Bird Database (operated by Audubon in the United States and BirdLife International for the numerous participating countries). The Technical Committee will identify Utah's IBAs and forward sites that are potentially of continental or global significance to Audubon's National Technical Committee for their review. Val Grant, President of Bridgerland Audubon Society, Chairs the Technical Committee.

A Steering Committee will be formed that will help in other efforts associated with the IBA program such as overseeing monitoring and conservation efforts at the IBA sites that are selected. Wayne Martinson, who has worked as Utah Wetlands Coordinator for Audubon, is the Utah IBA Coordinator.

Next Steps for the Utah IBA Program

Nominations for the Utah Important Bird Area Program are solicited on an on-going basis. Nominations can be received from any interested party. Five Utah IBA sites were announced in May 2003 and 10 additional sites were announced in May 2004. Additional sites will be announced in future months and years.

You are encouraged to participate in the Utah IBA Program

Every effort is being made to involve all interested persons and organizations in the Utah IBA program.

If you would like to receive additional information about the Utah IBA program including the nomination form and the criteria, please contact Wayne Martinson at 801-355-8110 or wmartinson@audubon.org or visit the following links.

For more information on the Utah IBA Program see the following links

To review a list of sites that have been nominated or identified click:

IBA Sites Nominated and Selected
(as of May 2004)

To review the Utah IBA criteria and obtain a copy of the nomination form click:

IBA Site Nomination Criteria

IBA Site Nomination Form:
PDF Format or Word Format

For a list of the UT IBA Technical Committee Members click:

IBA Technical Committee Members

If you would like to receive additional information about the Utah IBA program please contact:

Wayne Martinson
(801) 355-8110
wmartinson@audubon.org.