Great news from New York State! The "Important Bird Conservation Area Program" bill, which incorporates Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA) criteria into NY state law for state lands, passed both the New York State Assembly and State Senate. Governor Pataki indicates support for the program, and bill-signing is imminent as Networker goes to press. The development and passage of this legislation was largely the result of a team effort by the volunteers and staff of the National Audubon Society of New York State (NAS-NYS). NAS-NYS is comprised of NYS Audubon chapters, the Audubon Council of NYS, NYS-NAS Field Office staff, and the NAS-NYS Stewardship Committee. Audubon also garnered support from other conservation groups in the state.

The Bird Conservation Program bill sets up an advisory group to review nominations and provides the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, Commissioner of Parks, and Secretary of State the authority to designate sites on state-owned lands as official "Important Bird Areas" for New York State. The designation will assist agencies in incorporating bird conservation concerns into current and future management practices/plans for state lands. To have one of Audubon's flagship programs -- IBA -- become part of state law in New York State is a great victory for bird conservation and for all of Audubon.

For More Info, or a copy of the legislation, Contact: Linda Coleman, NAS-NY State, 200 Trillium Ln.; Albany, NY 12203; ph: 518/869-9731; FAX: 518/869-0737; email: lcoleman@audubon.org.