Key Biodiversity Areas or KBAs are sites that are important for the survival of a species or ecosystem.
Canada is a global leader in identifying KBAs which will play a critical role in our efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss before it’s too late. As part of the KBA Canada Secretariat, together with our partners and volunteers, Birds Canada is identifying the most precious places in Canada.
The KBA program has the potential to be a game-changer for safeguarding threatened biodiversity, as it is now possible to focus conservation efforts where it matters the most. Currently, there are 1056 critical sites under review, which will cover about 10% of Canada!
Acronyms in this episode:
KBA = Key Biodiversity Area
IBA = Important Bird and Biodiversity Area
IUCN = International Union for Conservation of Nature
WCS = Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
EBAR Maps = Ecosystem-based Automated Range Maps
NGO = Non-governmental Organization
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Andrew Couturier is the Senior Director of Landscape Science and Conservation at Birds Canada. He is celebrating 25 years with the organization. He is proud to have pioneered work on mapping the distribution, abundance, and migratory connections of birds that is featured regularly in scientific papers, books, popular publications, websites, and field guides.
Amanda Bichel is the Key Biodiversity Areas Coordinator at Birds Canada. She loves working with enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to monitor KBAs for priority species, carrying out conservation activities, organizing events, and increasing awareness of the program.
Andrea Gress studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan and now coordinates the Ontario Piping Plover Conservation Program for Birds Canada. Follow her work at @ontarioplovers
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