Who can be a Caretaker?

Can we propose new IBA sites?

Why didn’t my site make it from the candidate list to designation?

What types of information should I be collecting when I visit my designated site?

What other types of information would BC Nature like to know?

What materials are available to help Caretaker’s conduct outreach activities?

Can the IBA program protect all species of birds?

What are the benefits of the IBA program?

• Who can be a Caretaker?

A Caretaker can be an individual, a group of individuals, a club, or an organisation with an interest in promoting the conservation of an IBA. Ideally, a Caretaker will be familiar with, and situated close to the IBA, and possess the means to visit the IBA with some frequency (e.g., at least a couple of times a year). For some IBAs this is not possible (e.g., IBAs in remote areas and on offshore islands) - in these instances the Caretaker should be able to visit the IBA at least once a year at a seasonally appropriate time (e.g., when that IBA is hosting the bird species for which it is important).

• Can we propose new IBA sites?

BC Nature does not currently have the capacity to evaluate and designate new IBAs, but this is something that we are working towards. The priority at this stage is to consolidate the existing IBA network with a view to building on it when the capacity has been developed to do so.

• Why didn’t my site make it from the candidate list to designation?

During the first round of IBA evaluation, 84 of the nearly 300 nominated sites were granted IBA status. This was done as part of a nation-wide review process that used standardized criteria across all provinces. Some sites that were nominated came close to, but did not meet, the IBA criteria. Other sites may have met some IBA criteria, but were not designated because at least three other sites fulfilled these criteria more effectively (e.g., supported larger total numbers of the species, higher congregations of waterfowl, etc). A general premise of the IBA program is to select sites throughout each species’ biogeographic range, based on bird numbers, that when taken together forms a minimum network to ensure the species survival. The IBA network is not a rigid one, however. There will be sites that lose their conservation importance for whatever reason, and will no longer meet thresholds for designation, and sites that become more important. In addition, new sites will be discovered from time to time, particularly in the vast landscapes that Canada supports.

• What types of information should I be collecting when I visit my designated site?

We are primarily interested in knowing three things: Are the birds for which the site was designated still utilizing the site and how has that use changed over time? Has the habitat or land use within or adjacent to the IBA changed? Are there any current conservation threats to the site or birds? These questions can usually be answered by one or more appropriately timed site visits. To learn more about a draft monitoring form that is being piloted in IBAs across BC, please click here.

• What other types of information would BC Nature like to know?

In addition to knowing how the IBA site and its birds are doing, we are interested in knowing a bit about your activities and your future hopes for your IBA. Please record the amount of time you spend volunteering as a Caretaker (include traveling to and from sites & time spent conducting monitoring, stewardship, outreach and reporting activities) and include this information with your annual report as it can help us leverage funding to assist with the program. We are also interested in hearing about your wish list—what do you envisage for the future of your IBA? What activities would you like to be able to conduct? What do you need to achieve these goals?

• What materials are available to help Caretaker’s conduct outreach activities?

We currently have a general program brochure that can be distributed to interested audiences and a PowerPoint slide show for delivering presentations to groups. A poster that includes site specific information—ideal for events, conferences or kiosks—can also be developed upon request.

• Can the IBA program protect all species of birds?

IBA Canada: No, the IBA program is site-based and may not be appropriate for all species. A proportion of Canada's bird species, because of their dispersed distribution, cannot be protected fully at any time in their life-cycle by inclusion within the IBA network. It is important to note that the IBA program forms just part of an integrated approach to bird conservation and is part of a larger national bird conservation strategy. (Source: http://www.ibacanada.com/)

• What are the benefits of the IBA program?

IBA Canada: The identification of important bird habitat is a necessary first step in establishing habitat-based priorities in bird conservation. The designation of a network of sites can help decision-makers focus their efforts and protect the most critical bird habitat. The program is inclusive and identifies important sites for all groups of birds. It integrates aquatic and terrestrial habitat conservation by protecting seabird, shorebird, landbird, and waterfowl habitat. Most importantly, the program is community-driven and cooperative. It relies on grassroots involvement to develop and implement effective conservation plans, providing an important conservation voice for sites outside the formal protected area network. The program will also help generate widespread public awareness about birds and will help build partnerships at all levels: international, national, provincial, and local. (Source: http://www.ibacanada.com/faq.html)