The Important Bird Areas Program in Maryland and DC is part of an international initiative, which was started in Europe in the 1980s by Birdlife International and has now spread worldwide with programs in over 150 countries. In the US, the National Audubon Society is Birdlife’s partner and has established IBA programs in 45 states.

MOS is working closely with Audubon Maryland-DC to identify, nominate and study the IBA’s in Maryland. The IBA Program needs your help. Please consider supporting the program with your donations and field work by becoming an “IBA Champion”. Audubon Maryland-DC launched “IBA Champions,” an initiative that empowers people who love birds to help protect Maryland’s birds in the places birds need the most – Important Bird Areas. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) represent the best habitats across the state for bird species at risk as well as those vulnerable to a range of threats. Birds are currently facing a daunting array of threats to these areas from fracking and oil drilling to sprawling development proposals.