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Background
The Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program is an international bird conservation program found in six continents, 170 countries, and 46 states. The Arkansas IBA Program was initiated in 2001 by Audubon Arkansas. The aim of the program is to identify a network of sites throughout the state that are essential for sustaining naturally occurring populations of bird species, and to protect or mange these sites for the long-term conservation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. For a site to be recognized as an IBA it must meet criteria based on bird concentrations, threatened species, and species assemblages representative of priority habitats. Twenty-two Arkansas IBAs have been recognized to date.

Local community members can play a vital role in furthering the goals of the IBA program. Through the IBA Adoption Program, a local group, such as an Audubon chapter, local land trust, bird club, school group, etc., adopts an IBA and facilitates others to get involved at the site in an environmentally sensitive way. Involvement can include organizing an education program, monitoring effort, clean-up day, or habitat improvement project. Adopting an IBA can help in the conservation of the site by spreading the word on the importance of the site and building a local group of constituents that care about the site.

Benefits

• Participate in and assist an international bird conservation program
• Promote a community-based program
• Participate in meaningful science leading to bird conservation
• Implement exciting projects that combine science, education, and birding
• Create new public outreach opportunities

Adoption Procedures

1. Select an IBA site near you for adoption. Identify an individual from your group to act as the main contact.
2. Fill out the attached simple adoption form and return to the Bird Conservation Director.
3. Work with the Bird Conservation Director to get permission from the landowner(s) to adopt the site.
4. Work with the Bird Conservation, Conservation, and Education Directors to develop a site-specific program. Audubon Arkansas staff will provide any necessary assistance in establishing methodology, training, and data forms.

Examples of Activities

• An education program that engages people in learning about birds and their conservation.
• A monitoring program that collects data to document the occurrence, relative abundance, breeding status, and long-term changes in bird populations and habitat.
• A resource management program such as a trash clean-up day, birdhouse construction/installation, or recycling program.
• A habitat restoration project such as an exotic plant control effort or native planting.
• An outreach program to foster community support for the IBA site such as an annual birding festival.

Contacts

Bird Conservation: Dan Scheiman
Conservation/Habitat Restoration: Kevin Pierson
Education: Mary Smith

Audubon Arkansas
201 East Markham St., Suite 450
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-244-2229
Fax: 501-244-2231