• identification of bird sites
• designation of IBAs based on criteria and recognition by communities
• protection of IBAs through support of local community, individuals, groups and governments
• monitoring IBAs to identify and address bird population trends and threats to bird conservation

The IBA Program in BC

The IBA program was initiated by BirdLife International in the 1980s and came to Canada in 1996. In BC, the IBA program is coordinated by BC Nature (formerly the Federation of BC Naturalists) with support from national partners Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada. The primary goals of the BC program are the establishment of the BC IBA Caretaker Network, monitoring of sites, and public education.

To date, 84 sites have been designated as IBAs in BC. Many more sites were nominated for inclusion in the IBA network in 1996 and these sites, or others, may be designated in the future depending on capacity and resources for data collection and review.

Of the 84 IBAs that have been designated, 36 are islands with seabird colonies, 23 are wetland and inland sites, 7 are marine sites, 2 have heron rookeries and 2 are shorebird migration sites. Sites range in size from less than 10 hectares to 10,000 square kilometres. A large portion of the sites are utilized for recreation, tourism, conservation or research. A number of sites also support fisheries or aquaculture, forestry, agriculture, grazing, hunting and urban/industrial activities.

To view a list of IBAs and their Caretakers in BC, click here.