|
Vermont Important Bird Areas Technical Report
Introduction
Vermont occupies an important position in the conservation of North American bird populations. The diversity of Vermont's habitats, from northern hardwood and spruce/fir forests to farmlands and wetlands, support an equally diverse array of avian species. State endangered species such as the Peregrine Falcon and Common Loon, as well as other species of concern such as the rare Bicknell's Thrush, Wood Thrush, American Black Duck, and Black-throated Blue Warbler, have significant populations in Vermont. Conserving essential habitats for these species and others is the highest priority if we are to maintain Vermont's avian richness.
Important Bird Areas are defined as sites that support significant populations of one or more species of breeding, migrating or wintering birds. The identification and conservation of these important sites is a vital component towards global efforts to sustain viable bird populations. Originally begun in Europe by BirdLife International, the IBA program has spread across the continents with more than 100 countries now participating in the program. BirdLife International's partner in the United States is the National Audubon Society, which has looked to its state offices to implement the program. Most states have developed or are now in the process of developing an IBA Program.
The Vermont IBA Program got underway in the fall of 1997 when the Vermont Audubon Council officially adopted the concept. Programs initiated in New York and Pennsylvania became the model for Vermont's approach. Since then Audubon Vermont has worked with its eight chapters, State and federal agencies, other non-governmental organizations (NGO), local birders and other conservation minded volunteers in identifying and nominating IBAs according to a set of standardized criteria.
The primary goal of the Vermont IBA program is to use IBA's as the means of assessing bird conservation priorities in Vermont. IBA's will guide state agencies, municipalities, land trusts and other conservation organizations in making decisions about bird and land conservation. The IBA program is designed to engage, educate and raise awareness about bird conservation. By establishing priority areas throughout the state that are essential habitat for birds and wildlife, we are working to ensure healthy bird populations into the future.
The Vermont IBA Program is also a component of the larger North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI). This initiative is an integrated continent-wide approach to bird conservation partnering U.S., Canadian and Mexican governmental agencies and private organizations. NABCI's "all bird" approach to conservation divides North America into Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) to facilitate conservation efforts and partnerships. Most of Vermont is included in two BCRs. The Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain (BCR 13) which includes most of the Champlain Valley and the Atlantic Northern Forest (BCR 14) which covers the rest of the state. A very small portion of southeastern Vermont is included in the New England/Mid-Atlantic Coast (BCR 30). Vermont's IBAs are site-specific locations within these BCRs where bird conservation efforts can and are being implemented within the NABCI construct.
This document represents the results of Phase I of the IBA Program. Phase I proved to be a successful collaboration of people and resources that has resulted in 17 IBAs and 4 IBA Complex's (IBAs focusing on individual species at multiple sites) totaling more than 115 sites across the state. These IBAs now form the focal point of conservation efforts designed to protect birds and the habitats critical to their survival. The conservation and protection of Vermont's IBAs and their associated habitats has become the priority for Audubon Vermont and the eight Audubon chapters within the state. On the following pages you will find descriptions of the IBA identification and selection process, the criteria used to determine site designation and a summary and map of each of the current IBAs and IBA Complexes.
|
