Meeting Set to Discuss Proposed Bird Conservation Area
Posted: October 14, 2008

CHARITON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host a public discussion on the proposed designation of the Stephens State Forest region as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA). The meeting is at 7 p.m., Oct. 30, at the Lucas County Conservation Education Center at Pin Oak Marsh, located about 1 mile south of Chariton on the east side of Hwy. 14

Creating Bird Conservation Areas is a high priority for the Iowa DNR. "The proposed Stephens Forest BCA is a unique area containing both forest and grassland habitats that provides homes to about half of Iowa's nesting bird species, many of which are considered to be of greatest conservation need," said Bruce Ehresman, with the DNR's Wildlife Diversity Program. "From birds of large forests, including red-shouldered hawk and ruffed grouse, to declining grassland birds like bobolink and grasshopper sparrow, Stephens Forest and its adjoining grasslands provide a perfect setting for what could be Iowa's thirteenth Bird Conservation Area."

The BCA concept focuses on all-bird conservation at a broad landscape scale, and the program's success depends upon partnerships between public agencies, private conservation organizations and private landowners. Each BCA consists of at least 10,000 acres with one or more core areas of permanently protected bird habitat surrounded by large areas of privately owned land that also is good bird habitat. Core public lands are managed for all wild birds, but especially for those species experiencing regional or continental population declines.

Wildlife biologists and private lands specialists work with willing landowners to find ways to improve their properties for birds. The program is entirely voluntary, non-regulatory, and could result in extra incentives for landowners to make bird habitat improvements.

"Establishing a Bird Conservation Area helps draw attention to the needs of birds that are in trouble; plus it allows the local community and concerned citizens an opportunity to take action to help these birds," said Doug Harr, coordinator of the Wildlife Diversity Program. "Declining species such as wood thrush, Kentucky warbler, whip-poor-will, and American woodcock all should benefit from the designation of the Stephens Forest Bird Conservation Area."

Besides benefiting declining bird populations, establishing BCAs in Iowa should also provide an economic boost for the state. Bird watching is one of the fastest growing pastimes in North America, with an estimated 71 million wildlife watchers in the United States. According to a recent U.S Fish and Wildlife Survey, wildlife watchers in Iowa, alone, now spend up to $304 million each year in pursuit of this very rewarding hobby.