Important Bird Areas
Preventing other modern extinctions is one of the goals of the Lab.
Research by the Lab's scientists, citizen science programs and the
Lab's publications all support conservation efforts.
Loss of habitat is perhaps the most severe threat to birds and many
other plants and animals as well. A program is current
underway to identify areas critical to bird populations, including
nesting locations, key migration stop-overs and winter homes.
Known as the Important Bird Areas Program (IBA) BirdLife International,
working with many different organizations on a world-wide basis, is
identifying and protecting key locations critical to the survival of
bird populations.
U.S. organizations, including Audubon, Partners in Flight, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, and the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan are active participants in the IBA program.