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Out of our network of Important Bird Area Caretakers, each volunteer has his or her own motivations for looking after an IBAs in their community. These reasons range from a desire to get involved in something local to a lifelong interest in bird life and nature.

In this post, Marc-Andre Beaucher shares his thoughts on what it means to be a co-Caretaker for Creston Valley IBAs in British Columbia. This short, condensed interview comes to us thanks to Krista Englund, IBA Caretaker Coordinator for our provincial partner, BC Nature.

KE: Why did you want to be an IBAs Caretaker?

MB: It keeps me connected with a network of other like-minded enthusiastic and knowledgeable bird watchers.

KE: What do you do as a Caretaker?

MB: Mostly monitoring and recording bird sightings, as well as completing annual reports for our local IBA.

KE: What difference does your Caretaker work make for nature?

MB: Helps contribute to the global knowledge about bird ecology and hopefully to good decision making when addressing environmental challenges that affect bird populations.

KE: Why are IBAs important to protect?

MB: IBAs are very significant to raise awareness about the importance of birds locally, nationally, and globally. They’re also something we can take pride in and enjoy!

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Marc-Andre at an IBA monitoring outing (far right).

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