IBA Adoption Overview // IBA Stewardship Adoption Program // Important Bird Areas

Background

The Pennsylvania State Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program was started in 1995 by Audubon Pennsylvania. The goals of the IBA program are to identify a network of sites throughout the state that are essential for sustaining wild bird populations, and to protect or manage these sites for the long-term conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. For an IBA to be identified it must meet certain scientific criteria. As of November 2002, 78 IBA sites have been identified in Pennsylvania, encompassing more than one million acres of public and private lands (3.5% of the land area of the state).

Audubon chapters, bird clubs, and other conservation groups can play a vital role in furthering the goals of the IBA program. By adopting one or more IBAs, these local community groups can provide much-needed stewardship of the site, recruit volunteer Citizen Scientists for monitoring bird populations, and offer educational opportunities that will help conserve the site.

Benefits for Adopting Institution

Participation in meaningful science leading to bird conservation
Exciting project for members that combines science, education and birding
Recruitment tool for enlisting new members and volunteers
Community-based program
Creative new public outreach opportunities
Ongoing support from Audubon Pennsylvania’s science and education staff

Adoption Procedures/Expectations

1. Select one or more IBA sites for to adopt. Create an IBA Committee with a chairperson to act as the main contact. Fill out the simple adoption form attached and return it to the Audubon Pennsylvania office.

2. Work with the IBA Coordinator to develop on-site bird inventory/monitoring efforts. Data collected will help document the occurrence, relative abundance, breeding status, long-term changes in populations, and/or habitat relationships for birds inhabiting the site. Audubon Pennsylvania staff will provide any necessary assistance in establishing methodology, training, data forms, data analysis and other support, as needed.

3. Initiate educational outreach to foster community support for the IBA site. Citizen Science programs that engage people in learning about birds and their conservation are recommended. For more information please contact the Audubon Pennsylvania Education Director.

4. Work collaboratively with the landowner(s) of the IBA to safeguard and enhance avian habitats on the site. When threats facing birds and/or bird habitat arise members of the IBA Committee will immediately inform Audubon PA’s IBA Coordinator. We would like the adopting organization to take a leadership role in their local community to minimize the adverse impacts of any threats. Under ideal circumstances, Audubon-PA, the adopting organization, the landowner(s), and many other groups will work together on an ongoing basis to ensure the long-term viability of the IBA.

5. Assist in resource management programs at the IBA. These may include trash clean-up, birdhouse construction/ installation, exotic plant or pest control, habitat restoration, and native plantings.

6. Work closely with Audubon-PA staff, landowner(s), and the local community to write, and then implement a conservation plan for the IBA. (If a plan already exists we will work together to strengthen and implement the plan to ensure the long-term viability of the target birds and their habitats.)

7. Make a minimum commitment of three years to provide program continuity.