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Birds & Science
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Birds & Science
Important Bird Areas Program
The Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program began as an initiative of BirdLife International in the mid-1980s. Since then, more than 3,600 sites in 51 European countries have been identified as IBAs. Today, IBAs are being identified on nearly every continent. Audubon launched its IBA Program in the United States is 1995.
Audubon Wyoming initiated our IBA Program in 1999. An IBA Technical Review Group consisting of Wyoming’s prominent ornithologists was formed to assist in evaluation and prioritization of nominated areas. The IBA Technical Review Group accepts or rejects IBA nominations based on the IBA criteria and information provided on the nomination form. To date, 44 sites have been approved and with your help, many more nominations are on the way!
What is an IBA?
Important Bird Areas are sites that provide essential habitat to one or more species of birds during some portion of the year (nesting areas, crucial migration stop-over sites, or wintering grounds). IBAs may be a few or even thousands of acres, but usually are discrete sites that stand out from the surrounding landscape. IBAs may include public or private lands, or both, and may or may not already be protected.
Goals of the IBA Program:
Identify the most essential areas for birds.
Monitor those sites for changes to birds and habitat.
Conserve these areas for long-term protection of biodiversity.
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