What are the benefits of the IBA program?

For conservation to be effective, it is essential to allocate effort and resources where they will have the greatest impact. The IBA program identifies those areas that are most critical for birds using objective, science-based criteria that can be used to prioritize conservation actions. Because the IBA program is data-driven(i.e., the IBA designation is contingent upon adequate data about the diversity and abundance of birds using the site), it ensures that a site designated as an IBA truly is important for birds. The IBA program covers all birds, not just a single species or a particular group. The IBA program is a grassroots effort. It offers land owners, land managers, volunteer citizen scientists, birders, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other interested stakeholders opportunities to get involved throughout the process, and encourages them to take ownership of IBAs through monitoring, stewardship, education, and advocacy. Recognition as an IBA focuses attention on a site, creates public awareness about birds, and fosters partnerships among different interested parties through a cooperative approach to conservation. It also may attract funding and help to prioritize local land-use planning for conservation. Where appropriate, IBAs even may help boost local economies by providing opportunities for recreational birding and other wildlife viewing. The IBA program is a worldwide initiative; each IBA is part of a global network of sites that provide critical habitat for all species of birds.

Isn’t this just another layer of conservation? How is this program different?

The IBA program integrates and focuses existing conservation initiatives rather than adding another layer. The process of identifying IBAs is being used as a conservation planning tool by the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, and Partners In Flight. On a site-by-site level, the IBA program supports and compliments habitat conservation efforts by such organizations as Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the Ruffed Grouse Society, as well as other organizations, and expands upon them as necessary to include all birds. The IBA program offers an excellent entry point for birders, hikers, photographers, and other nature-oriented recreationists to directly support and participate in habitat conservation efforts as other resource users have done.

Will IBAs be enough to conserve birds?

No. The IBA program is not the be-all and end-all of bird conservation. Areas nominated or recognized as IBAs should not be viewed as the only sites that are important for birds or necessary for conservation. Some species of birds are not protected adequately by IBAs because they are irruptive, nomadic, shift their breeding locations each year, or are dependent on artificial nest-box programs or other human interventions. Many other species are migratory and spend the majority of their lives outside Wisconsin. The IBA program is not a substitute for integrated all-bird conservation, multi-lateral approaches, or regional and international cooperation. It is an important piece of the conservation puzzle, but it is only one piece.

How are global or continental IBAs different from state IBAs?

The difference is one of scale and relative importance to bird conservation. For example, a site that contains significant numbers of a globally imperiled species would be a global IBA. A site that contains significant numbers of a species that is stable in parts of its range but endangered in North America would qualify as a continentally important bird area rather than a global one. A site in Wisconsin that contains significant numbers of a species that is stable elsewhere in the U.S. but endangered in Wisconsin would be a state IBA. Similarly, a site supporting 20,000 waterbirds would be a global IBA, while a site supporting 5000-10,000 might be considered of continental importance. The IBA program has a hierarchical structure whereby any site in Wisconsin that meets the criteria for global importance also will be important at the continental and state levels, but a site that is important at the state level will not necessarily also be important at a continental or a global level. An IBA at any level is a valid component of the program and of the worldwide network of sites.

How were the criteria for Wisconsin developed?

The standard IBA criteria developed by BirdLife International were adapted for Wisconsin. In general, IBAs are sites that support endangered or threatened species, high conservation priority species, significant concentrations of birds, and assemblages of birds associated with rare or representative habitat types. The specific species lists and population thresholds for Wisconsin were developed using the state endangered and threatened bird list, North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) and Partners In Flight (PIF) planning documents, and in consultation with state bird and habitat experts.

Who decides whether a site meets the criteria to be an IBA?

The Wisconsin IBA Technical Committee will review all nominations to determine whether sites meet the criteria and should be officially recognized as IBAs. If necessary, the committee will identify situations where additional surveys are needed to provide sufficient data to evaluate a nomination, and will allow the opportunity for these surveys to be conducted. The technical committee is composed of individuals who have statewide expertise on birds and habitats. Technical committee members have various affiliations, including state and federal agencies, NGOs, universities, and private citizens.

What happens to a site once it has been approved by the Technical Committee and is designated as a Wisconsin IBA?

Once a site is officially recognized as an IBA, it leaves the identification phase of the IBA process and enters the monitoring and stewardship phase. This phase involves: assessing the conservation needs and opportunities at the site; identifying and prioritizing specific conservation goals; and planning and implementing projects and initiatives to meet those goals in collaboration with landowners, land managers, government agencies, conservation organizations, and any other stakeholders or interested parties. Depending on the site, stewardship activities may include habitat protection, active management, habitat restoration, removal of exotic species, physical improvements, education and outreach, etc. Monitoring of birds and habitat is always an essential and ongoing component of site stewardship. Monitoring can help to identify stewardship needs, and provides a way to evaluate stewardship activities; it helps ensure that the site will remain important for birds.

Are there any legal restrictions associated with IBAs?

No. There is no legal status conferred by the IBA program, nor are there any regulatory requirements for management of a site that is recognized as an IBA. The IBA 'designation' is a voluntary one that recognizes the importance of a site for birds and encourages conservation to preserve the resources that make the site important. The IBA program can facilitate this by fostering cooperative partnerships among landowners, land managers, and other interested parties.

Are there size limits for IBAs?

There are no upper or lower size limits specified for IBAs. However, a good common-sense rule of thumb is that the site should not be so large that it can’t be managed effectively for bird conservation and not so small that it fails to meet many or all of the requirements of the birds that occur there.

Who can nominate a site?

Anyone! Click here to learn how you can nominate a site.

What sites already have been nominated as IBAs?

Click here to see a list|map of nominated sites.

How can I organize bird surveys to assess whether a site qualifies as an IBA?

Often, birders and other local experts will know that a site is important for birds, but will not have the data necessary to support an IBA nomination. One of the most significant contributions volunteers can make is to gather data at potential IBAs. If you are interested in doing this, here’s how to go about it: First, review the Wisconsin IBA site criteria and nomination instructions; this will give you a good idea of what we are looking for in a potential IBA. Based on the criteria, decide what season and time of year would be best to visit the site you would like to survey. Download and print the IBA Field Checklist (PDF file), which is based on the criteria; this will tell you which species to look for and can be used to record data in the field. Remember that a species list by itself will not provide enough information to evaluate whether a site meets the IBA criteria; always record numbers of individuals detected for each species whenever possible. Also, too much data is always better than not enough; information on habitat type and condition, weather, time of day, and other observations about the site are very useful for evaluating potential IBAs. Depending on the size of the site, you may wish to invite some fellow birders to come along with you. When you have finished your survey, please send copies of all your data to the IBA Coordinator. Contact the coordinator if you have questions about planning your survey or need help recruiting volunteers.

What are some IBA success stories?

• The Pennsylvania IBA program helped to create a broad community-based coalition of over 30 organizations working together to conserve the entire length of the Kittatinny Ridge, a 180,000-acre IBA spanning 11 counties. The PA IBA program has also partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to develop a rating system for the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, a DCNR grant program, that provides an automatic 20-point advantage for grant requests that involve IBAs.
• The Governor of New York signed a state bird habitat protection bill modeled on the New York IBA program, using IBA criteria to identify and conserve state-owned lands. The New York IBA program also secured a $2.5 million federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for habitat acquisition and restoration at the Northern Montezuma Wetlands IBA.
• The Idaho IBA program partnered with a local Audubon chapter and bird club to monitor shorebirds at Mann Lake IBA.
• The Mississippi IBA program is partnering with the Lower Mississippi Joint Venture to monitor shorebirds at many sites nominated as IBAs.
• The Iowa IBA program has conducted successfully a Rivers and Bluffs Fall Birding Festival in November for the past two years. This festival, which features migrating waterfowl along the Mississippi River, is focused on getting participants interested in birds and bird conservation.
• The IBA coordinators for Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin are collaborating actively on identification and conservation of IBAs along the Upper Mississippi River.
• Nationwide, 46 states have IBA programs. Some 1,500 IBAs have been identified, covering 36 million acres. Thirty-three of those IBAs are globally important. Over 4,000 participants are involved in IBA programs nationwide.

Click here for additional IBA success stories.