Conservation

Important Bird Areas

Photo: Ida Phillips

Audubon North Carolina has identified 96 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in North Carolina comprising 4.9 million acres. These are places that provide essential habitat for one or more species of birds at some time during their annual cycle of breeding, migrating or wintering. Nearly all of North Carolina's IBAs include public lands,  land trust conservation lands, and land owned or managed by private citizens. The IBA program is not a regulatory initiative and places no restriction on land use or activities. Audubon staff work with managers of IBAs to support bird and habitat monitoring, habitat management, and education and advocacy efforts focused on birds. Virtually every conservation planning entity in the state recognizes that IBAs are priority sites for long-term protection. The IBA program has become a dynamic "blueprint for conservation" in North Carolina.

Explore the Important Bird Areas of North Carolina
Important Bird Areas

Explore the Important Bird Areas of North Carolina

Audubon North Carolina has released a new edition of Important Bird Areas of North Carolina, a full-color publication with detailed descriptions of North Carolina’s most critical bird habitats. 

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Saving Important Bird Areas
Important Bird Areas

Saving Important Bird Areas

Saving our Important Bird Areas (IBA) is a strategic initiative serving as a conservation blueprint identifying areas that are of critical importance to priority bird species. 

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Adopt an Important Bird Area
Important Bird Areas

Adopt an Important Bird Area

Want to get involved in an exciting community science project? Read more about how you can help monitor North Carolina's irreplaceable bird habitats.

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Click Here to Explore Infographic

We focus on where conservation actions are possible, and where protections can be secured, habitats restored or threats reduced.

Learn More About Some NC Important Bird Areas

Important Bird Area Posts

Saving Important Bird Areas
Important Bird Areas

Saving Important Bird Areas

Saving our Important Bird Areas (IBA) is a strategic initiative serving as a conservation blueprint identifying areas that are of critical importance to priority bird species. 

Outer Banks and Inshore Ocean IBA
Important Bird Areas

Outer Banks and Inshore Ocean IBA

The Outer Banks, Inshore Ocean is a rich and productive area of ocean that supports a diverse assemblage of birds and other marine life throughout the year.

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