Important Bird Areas
(National)
Audubon, in cooperation with Michigan Audubon, Detroit Audubon, and the
Kalamazoo Nature Center, are coordinating Michigan's IBA program.
This program identifies critical habitat for species threatened with extinction on a global, continental, or state level.
There
are 97 species of North American birds that are immenently close to
extinction. Of these, nine species are found in Michigan.
Seven of which are found in Barry County! These are speices
listed as Critical, Endangered, Threatened, Near Threatened, or
Vulnerable on the Red List (IUCN).
The
Barry State Game area may become a Globally Significant IBA, only one
of a handfull in Michigan (two other proposals are Whitefish Point and
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (There will be numerous State
Significant and some Continentally Significant IBAs in Michigan)
The
Michigan Audubon Otis Sanctuary will likely be the on the ground
conservation organization to coordinate the IBA effort in Barry County.
For more information on the IBA program:
The
first seven birds listed to the left are on the list of globally
threatened bird species. There are 25 Michigan Species that are
on the Continental list of concern. The Michigan list is being
developed.
Our
conservation and research projects will center around the IBA
program. This includes monitoring bird populations and habitat
restoration.
