The Important Bird Areas ProgramThe Important Bird Areas Program

Connecting Connecting People and BirdsPeople and Birds

Who We AreWho We Are

• Bird Studies Canada: www.birdscanada.org

• Advance the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of wild birds and their habitats through studies that engage members, volunteers, &the public

• Nature Canada: www.naturecanada.ca

• Protect and conserve wildlife and habitats in Canada by engaging people and advocating on behalf of nature

• BC Nature: www.bcnature.ca

• Federation of BC Naturalists

• Motto: To Know Nature and To Keep It Worth Knowing

Karen Barry & Pete Davidson (BSC)

Krista Englund & Anne Murray (BCN)

Why Birds?Why Birds?

• Ecological importance

• Spiritual/cultural significance

• Millions of birders worldwide

• Even wider general public interest (1 in 5 US citizens)

• Birding is a major economic driver

“Wildlife watching has become a major economic engine, making it one of the biggest money-makers in Washington State”

Herring season in Baynes Sound IBA (A. Martell)

Why an International Program?Why an International Program?

• Birds know no borders

• IBAs – a global brand

Western Sandpiper (Tom Middleton)

IBAs: A Global NetworkIBAs: A Global Network

• Global, nearly 200 countries

• Site-based (11,000)

• Non-government, non-regulatory

• Progress indicator (UN)

Goals: Identification Designation Protection Monitoring

IBA CriteriaIBA Criteria

1. Globally threatened species

• Marbled Murrelet (Barkley & Desolation Sound)

2. Breeding, wintering grounds and/or migratory bird concentrations

• Fraser River Estuary, Tofino Mudflats, McIntyre Beach, Douglas Lake Plateau

3. Birds with restricted breeding ranges (not in Canada)

4. Biome restricted assemblages (not in Canada)

Marbled Murrelet (Alan Burger)

White-tailed Ptarmigan (Scott Wilson)

Shorebirds (Moira Lemmon)

Sandhill Crane

IBAs: The Canadian PictureIBAs: The Canadian Picture

• 597 IBAs designated 1997-2001

• Site nomination & review process a collaborative effort between EC-CWS, BSC & Nature Canada (BC Nature)

• Coastal habitats & interior wetlands key

IBAs in British ColumbiaIBAs in British Columbia

• 269 sites nominated

• 84 sites designated

• 80% coastal

• Over 50% marine/island

• 16 sites in BC’s interior

Boundary Bay (M. Cuthbert)

Seabird colony (M. Lambert)

Species at Risk (SAR) in BCs IBAsSpecies at Risk (SAR) in BCs IBAs

• 86% of IBAs support 1+ provincial SAR

• 64% of IBAs provide habitat for 1+ SARA species

Endangered (7 spp.) Burrowing OwlSage Thrasher Spotted Owl Western Screech-Owl macfarlanei White-headed Woodpecker Williamson’s SapsuckerYellow-breasted Chat

Threatened (2 spp.)Marbled MurreletPink-footed ShearwaterSpecial Concern (8 spp.) Ancient Murrelet Barn OwlFlammulated OwlGreat Blue Heron fanniniLewis's WoodpeckerLong-billed CurlewPeregrine Falcon pealeiShort-eared Owl

Sage Thrasher (Dick Cannings)

Conservation & ProtectionConservation & Protection

• In Canada ~ 25% of IBAs overlaps protected area (PA) & conservation lands (same in BC)

• IBA Program goal is to increase conservation through:

• Supporting PA designations

• Planning integration

• Local regulations

• Stewardship & management

• Public education & outreach

• Partnerships are key!

Conservation Lands 0.2%

22% Provincial Parks

1% National Parks

0.4% Regional Parks

77% Unprotected

Courtesy of Pacific Coast & Canadian Intermountain Joint Ventures

Not included: Municipal Parks; some MBS, NWA, WMA & fee simple lands

Pressures on BC’s IBAsPressures on BC’s IBAs

Pollution (67%)

Disturbance (50%)

Habitat Loss/Alteration (54%)

Invasive species (33%)

Rat with Auklet (I. Jones)

Current Activities in BC: BSCCurrent Activities in BC: BSC

Technical Partner: www.ibacanada.ca, online tools, mapping/GIS, bird monitoring & data management (ebird.ca)

Current Activities in BC: BC NatureCurrent Activities in BC: BC Nature

Leads the stewardship side: Volunteer Caretaker Network

School education (A. Martell)

Habitat restoration (M. Cuthbert)

Interpretive signage (M. Dunn)

Monitoring (T. Carr)

“Eyes, ears & hands on the ground”

Caretaking: a collective effortCaretaking: a collective effort

• IBAs are large!

• Caretakers need support:

• Help monitor & steward

• Enter data into eBird

• Spread the word

ENTER YOUR IBAENTER YOUR IBA

Your ibaYour iba

Flammulated Owl (Dick Cannings)

How to Support the IBA ProgramHow to Support the IBA Program

• Increase your awareness

• Enter observations into eBird.ca

• Use & disseminate information (signs, websites)

• Incorporate IBAs in planning & review (GIS)

• Endorse the IBA program/support protection/mgt

• Provide data/technical expertise

• Support Caretakers or become one!

Yellow Warbler (Ian Routley)

IBAs Can Support Your WorkIBAs Can Support Your Work

• Stewardship & Monitoring

• Caretakers & local communities

• Capacity/coordination for work

• Technical resources & Information

• www.ibacanada.ca

• Mapping (GIS) and bird data

• Information for signage/brochures

• Support & Connections

• Letters for advocacy & fundraising

• Links to National-International partners (eg. BirdLife)

Friends of Semiahmoo Bay (Marg Cuthbert)

The BC IBA Program has been supported by generous funding and support from numerous organizations and tireless efforts from many volunteers throughout BC.

The template for this slide show was created by Nature Canada. We gratefully acknowledge the use of photographs by Kris Andrews, Alan Burger,

Dick Cannings, Terry Carr, Margaret Cuthbert, Peter Davidson, Christopher DiCorrado, Eva Durance, Michael Dunn, Burr Heneman, Sharon Henry, Ian Jones, Marilyn Lambert, Moira Lemon, Art Martell, Tom Middleton, Sandy Proulx, Ian Routley, Scott Wilson and Nature Canada.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

FEDERATION OF BC NATURALISTS