4. MANITOBA’S IMPORTANT BIRD AREA PROGRAM

The Birdlife International partnership has identified 12,000 sites around the world that are known as “Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas” (IBAs). IBAs represent an enormous global network designed to protect the planet’s biodiversity by engaging grassroots support for key sites. These key sites are identified using rigorous, internationally standardized criteria. There are 38 IBAs in Manitoba, from the grasslands of the southwest to the Hudson Bay coast, each with its own special significance. This workshop examines the IBA program globally and here in Canada, with a focus on Manitoba’s sites and our IBA program. We will showcase some of the great work being done in Manitoba and discuss simple ways that you can become involved in this global conservation initiative.