How will IBA's help birds (cont.)

The identification of IBA's is an important first step in larger bird conservation initiatives. IBA inventories provide a scientifically defensible method for prioritizing conservation activities and allocating limited conservation dollars to ensure the maximum benefit to birds.

The IBA project offers opportunities for participation by volunteer citizen scientists in projects such as monitoring programs that provide much needed data. Such participation promotes local stewardship and advocacy. The IBA project is therefore a starting point for site-based conservation efforts, and stakeholders are included in the process at many levels.

Conservation activities at IBA's reflect the unique circumstances of each site (such as size, location, and ownership). For example, public areas may be conserved by open-space acquisition and by working with land managers to improve habitat management practices for key species of birds. Private lands may be conserved through public/private partnerships, such as easements, and through landowner education.

The North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) is an attempt to coordinate bird conservation efforts throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The IBA project contributes to this initiative by identifying the most important sites at which to implement large-scale conservation efforts to ensure the protection of all bird species in all habitats. Audubon has agreements with two of the NABCI partners (the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan) to identify IBA's throughout the country that support significant shorebird and waterbird populations. Audubon also works in cooperation with Partners in Flight to identify IBA's that are critical for landbirds.

What is the history of the IBA project?

The IBA project was initiated by BirdLife International in Europe in the 1980's (BirdLife International is a global coalition of more than 100 country partner organizations) and is now active in over 150 countries around the world.

As the United States Partner Designate of BirdLife International, the National Audubon Society launched its IBA initiative in 1995. Most states have established IBA projects and more than 1,200 U.S. IBA's have been identified. In Nebraska, Audubon Nebraska is coordinating the IBA effort.

How does the IBA project work?

• The Technical Review Committee, a panel of Nebraska bird experts, developed the state-specific criteria list to determine what constitutes an area important for birds in Nebraska.
• Nomination forms are made available for people to nominate sites.
• The review committee selects nominated sites that meet the criteria and officially recognizes them as Important Bird Areas. There is NO regulatory or legal status that comes with an IBA designation. The project is entirely voluntary on the part of landowners and land managers.
• Conservation needs of IBA's are identified and coordinated with landowners, land managers, stakeholders, and other interested parties. Cooperative partnerships are a vital part to a successful IBA project.

For more information, call, write or e-mail Kevin Poague, Important Bird Areas Coordinator, Audubon Nebraska, P.O Box 117, 11700 SW 100th Street, Denton, NE 68339; Phone: 402-797-2301; Fax: 402-797-2304.