British Columbia stewards some of the most critical sites for biodiversity in the world. From the Fraser River Estuary and its millions of migratory waterbirds to the Scott Islands and their sky darkening swarms of puffins, auklets, and storm-petrels; to the Douglas Lake Plateau and the tens-of-thousands of Sandhill Cranes therein, the significance of our waters, mountains, grasslands and forests cannot be overstated.

In order to ensure these sites are stewarded sustainably, BC Nature has worked with a multitude of conservation partners to ensure they are recognized for their contributions to global and national biodiversity. This began in 1996 with Canada’s adoption of the Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBA) program. Recognized as a global success, 10,000 IBAs were designated over more than 200 countries, including 83 in B.C. alone. This was able to be accomplished thanks to support from Birds Canada and Nature Canada at the national level, as well as numerous Naturalist Clubs, First Nations, volunteers, NGOs, governments, and partners at the local level.

Birds represent a unique conservation challenge and opportunity. In embarking on their continent-spanning migrations they force those of us dedicated to their wellbeing to think beyond the spaces we encounter them and consider the untold tundras, marshes, islands, and savannas they use around the globe. Set out to conserve Surf Scoters and you will find yourself working with the Inuit hunters in whose home they breed, the First Nations through whose territory they migrate and feed, and the Mexican communities on whose sandy shores they ride out the winter before turning around and starting all over again.

Over the course of designating these IBAs the question arose time and time again, what of all the other species who call these sites home? In response to this many of the same global NGOs who initiated IBAs began to branch out, designating sites for mammals, butterflies, amphibians, and all manner of life. The resulting mosaic, though beautifully representative of the complexities of the natural world, was confounding to many of the stewards and planners trying to use them to move forward with sustainability in mind. With that came the next great biodiversity iniaitiave of our times; Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).

In the same way IBAs sought to highlight areas of disproportionate significance to birds, KBAs seek to bring attention to sites critical to any and all species. The millions of waterbirds using the Fraser River Estuary during migration don’t go there for the real estate opportunities, they go there because of the intact ecological community which sustains them and which they in turn sustain. This community includes Orcas, Salmon, Bog Spiders, rare plants, and all manner else. By recognizing the site for all of the species from whom it is critical to their survival, we not only do justice to the Fraser, we provide those invested in its wellbeing with all the tools necessary to champion its wellbeing.

The Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas program, initiated by BirdLife International in the 1980s, came to Canada in 1996 and is coordinated nationally by Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada. The IBA Program identifies, monitors and protects the most vital places in Canada for birds so that conservation action can be directed in the most effective way possible.  There are nearly 600 Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas across Canada that provide habitat for threatened birds, large groups of birds, and birds found almost nowhere else on Earth.

Because nearly all of Canada’s birds migrate beyond our borders at some point in their lives, the real strength of the IBA program is its international scope. Migratory birds depend on Important Bird Areas to rest, feed, and breed. Without them, birds could not make their long and difficult journey each year. Since 1985, over 200 countries have joined to create a global network of more than 10,000 IBAs.

Visit www.birdlife.org for more information on the global program and www.ibacanada.ca for more information about Canadian IBAs. Click the links at the top of the page for more information about the IBA Program in BC.