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BirdLife International

Audubon’s Important Bird Areas Program Calls on People to Help Save Globally Important Bird Habitat in their Own Hometowns New York, NY Thursday, November 29, 2001 -- An international program that works with private citizens to successfully protect millions of migrating birds worldwide received its U.S. kickoff today. Officials at Audubon, the organization leading the Important Bird Areas Program (IBA) in the U.S., launched the initiative with events across the country today, highlighting land critical to the survival of birds, and the individuals who helped identify these unique places.

Today Audubon made available its first list of selected Global IBA nominations. Global IBAs are places of international importance in communities across America and around the world, nominated by local people. The program is coordinated on a worldwide basis by BirdLife International, headquartered in Cambridge, England. Audubon is the BirdLife International Partner for the United States.

IBA recognition helps protect places that are vital to the survival of birds. "America's Birds are in trouble, and this is a chance for individuals to make a difference," said John Flicker, Audubon President and CEO. "Through stressing action by people at the local level, the IBA program offers ordinary Americans an opportunity to protect globally-important places and help save the birds that use them from decline and extinction."

Audubon seeks a grassroots approach to protecting land for birds and people. The IBA program uses local volunteers to find important bird habitat. Once identified, these sites' continued health is assured by local land managers and landowners. The program imposes no regulations, restrictions, or costs. Private lands can be nominated for inclusion only if the owner is in full agreement. The program imposes no international controls - but joins Americans with citizens worldwide who care about protecting natural resources, for the good of birds and people.

Nominated sites will be rigorously reviewed by leading scientists, and then endorsed by Bird Life International. "IBA designation is a good thing for the world, the country, and for your community." Said Michael Rands, President of Bird Life International. "Proximity to an IBA tells visitors that you live in a great place. You can help tell the rest of the country and world by enrolling in this program as an Audubon volunteer."

Many birds that use U.S. flyways spend parts of each year in Canada, Mexico, and Latin American countries. "Birds are something all Americans, indeed all people, have in common," said Frank Gill, Audubon Senior Vice President for Science. "Migrating birds do not recognize borders; they are the ultimate goodwill ambassadors. The Important Bird Areas program is a way to join people and communities to protect these irreplaceable national treasures."

Audubon's Important Bird Area Program is a unique international effort. Thousands of citizen volunteers and scientists in local communities have been and continue to be the foundation for the program. Their hard work and dedication leads to the identification and nomination of areas critical for birds.

President Bush is urging all Americans to make a difference in their own communities as a way to help the country flourish during this challenging time. The Important Bird Areas program gives Americans an opportunity to celebrate their own communities -- and protect our national resources. "You don't have to go to your Congressperson, mayor, or town council to do this," continued Flicker. "Important Bird Areas is a people-centered program that relies on everyday citizens to nominate local places and take the lead on conservation efforts."

Gill said the Audubon Important Bird Areas program has already identified 1,200 sites in 40 U.S. states for designation as Important Bird Areas. Audubon will have programs underway by 2002 in all 50 states, with than over 3,000 sites designated.

Founded in 1905 and supported by 600,00 members in more than 500 chapters throughout the Americas, the National Audubon Society conserves and restores natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

Patrick M. Comins
Director of Bird Conservation
Audubon Connecticut
pcomins@audubon.org

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