Habitat loss and fragmentation are the most serious threats facing birds around the world, across America, and right here in Pennsylvania. Unless we slow the rapid destruction and degradation of habitat, populations of many birds may decline to dangerously low levels. The Important Bird Area (IBA) program was established to help reverse declining trends in bird populations.

An Important Bird Area (IBA) is a site that is part of a global network of places recognized for their outstanding value to bird conservation. An IBA can be large or small, public or private, and must meet one of several objective criteria. Since the IBA program is voluntary, there are no legal or regulatory restrictions.

The IBA program was started by BirdLife International in Europe in the 1980's. BirdLife International is a global coalition of partner organizations in over 100 countries. The National Audubon Society is the U.S. Partner Designate of BirdLife International and administers the IBA program in the United States.

Formed in 1996, Pennsylvania developed the first statewide IBA program in the country. A group of scientific advisors (known as the Ornithological Technical Committee) has identified over 80 IBA sites encompassing over two million acres of Pennsylvania's public and private land. These areas include migratory staging areas, winter roost sites and prime breeding areas for songbirds, wading birds, shorebirds, and other species.

Pennsylvania is making an important contribution to the conservation of bird habitat in the western hemisphere. Penns Woods are critical to many interior forest birds, providing nesting habitat to 17% of the world's Scarlet Tanagers and 9% of the Wood Thrushes. By focusing attention on the most essential and vulnerable areas, the IBA program helps to promote proactive habitat conservation, benefiting birds and biodiversity.

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