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Volunteers from the Canadian IBA Caretaker Network monitor birds, assess habitats, and conduct conservation activities within IBAs. |
The Important Bird Areas Program is a global initiative to conserve birds and their habitats. In Canada, Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada co-deliver the program. Together we are pursuing a six-point Canadian IBA agenda to achieve science-based, site specific conservation for birds and biodiversity.
The success of the IBA Program depends on the scientific integrity
of our data. With our partners, we’re developing protocols to
track bird populations, respond to threats and assess our
conservation success. We’ll validate IBA data at all levels of
input to ensure accuracy and cross-country consistency in site
assessments and monitoring systems. We will use rigorous
scientific standards to evaluate and prioritize existing and
potential IBAs, in both terrestrial and marine environments.
IBAs should be “top-of-mind” when decision makers develop
plans that could impact these important sites. We’ll work with all
levels of government, including First Nations, to incorporate IBAs
in land-use planning policies, and we’ll engage corporations and
private landowners to include IBAs in their decision-making, too.
Through public awareness campaigns, innovative partnerships
with industry, and strengthened bonds with our non-government
partners, we’ll enhance the profile of the entire IBA network
and achieve greater protection for these priority sites.
Each IBA has unique needs for its long-term conservation. With
our partners, we will plan and implement on-site conservation
actions at all high-priority IBAs across Canada. These efforts,
varying from site to site, will include: restoration of degraded
habitats; site monitoring; community awareness-building;
alternative income projects; collaborative management and
sustainable use practices; national campaigns against major
threats; land purchases; enhanced management and enforcement
in IBAs within protected areas; and the establishment of new
protected areas encompassing IBAs.
IBA Caretakers volunteer their time and expertise to safeguard
local birds and their habitats. They are the eyes, ears, feet
and hands on the ground at IBAs. Caretakers monitor bird
populations, report on threats, and build IBA awareness in
their communities. With our regional partners, we will expand
our network of Caretakers to cover most IBAs in Canada, and
we’ll equip our volunteers with the tools they require to be
effective observers, advocates and citizen scientists.
About 90 percent of Canada’s birds migrate within and beyond
our borders. We work to protect them throughout their range.
As Supporting Partners of BirdLife International, we help
conserve migratory flyways throughout the Americas, working
alongside our southern partners and providing financial
resources and scientific expertise to advance our shared
conservation goals.
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Canada and Bird Studies Canada are Canadian co-partners
delivering BirdLife International’s Important
Bird Areas program in Canada. We aim to identify,
monitor and protect a global network of IBAs for
the conservation of the world’s birds and other
biodiversity. |
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