The Audubon Important Bird Areas Program was initiated in Indiana in 1998 through the commitment and comprehensive efforts of a volunteer coordinator and the establishment of the Indiana IBA technical committee. The committee is composed of the state's leading ornithologists, ecologists, and conservationists who represent various natural heritage, wildlife management and conservation, and academic and research institutions throughout Indiana. In January, 2005, the National Audubon Society hired James Cole as its first full-time IBA coordinator for Indiana.
Cole worked for almost 4 years to create an inventory of 40 locations within the state that contain reservoirs of bird abundance and diversity, identifying them as Important Bird Areas. In September, 2005, the first 13 state IBAs were identified. A second 13 sites were added in early 2006. A third round of 14 sites was added in May, 2007. A list of these sites, as well as sites for which Birding Guides have been written, can be found on the Site List. For each site many details can also be found here. In addition, for three larger areas of the state he created maps showing all of the IBA's: Northwest, Southwest and South Central.
Because the Indiana IBA Program is a voluntary initiative, its ultimate success depends on public awareness and volunteers. Our goal is increased advocacy and awareness for the protection of birds and their habitat by the public. As the initiative develops and more sites are identified and recognized later this year, Hoosier bird-watchers will have available many opportunities to contribute to this conservation effort. Here are some things you can do:
- nominate additional sites,
- organize and conduct IBA bird surveys and field trips,
- adopt an IBA.
Adoption might include
- monitoring birds at the site,
- assessing threats,
- evaluating habitat condition,
- restoring habitat,
- assisting with the development of conservation plans or easements,
- conducting IBA presentations for potential partners,
- advocating on behalf of the IBA and the birds that are found there.
Audubon selected the Marian College EcoLab restoration in Indianapolis as an IBA test-site for adoption initiatives. A description of this site and a calendar of activities can be found at http://wetland.marian.edu/
To view the progress of the IBA initiative throughout the country, visit http://www.audubon.org/bird/iba