The book presents the results of lessons learned towards the sustainable conservation of IBAs in Africa. Zoom In

African Important Bird Areas get conservation toolkit

24-11-2008

A toolkit that synthesises lessons learnt by the BirdLife Africa Partnership in the identification, monitoring and conservation of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) was recently launched. “This toolkit will be valuable, not only to the members of the BirdLife Partnership, but also to other practitioners interested in biodiversity conservation”, said Dr Hazell Shokellu Thompson, Regional Director for BirdLife in Africa.

The IBA Programme identifies sites where biodiversity value outweighs the threats of ecologically damaging activities. “IBAs are a scientifically rigorous and easy to understand approach for ensuring that conservation efforts are targeted at the right places”, said Dr Leon Bennun BirdLife’s Director of Science, Policy and Information at a colourful ceremony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In 2001 BirdLife published a directory of IBAs in Africa and its associated Islands. Since that time, BirdLife Partners in Africa have embarked on an ambitious process of advocacy, action and monitoring to protect these sites in perpetuity. The new book, entitled ‘A Toolkit for Important Bird Area Conservation in Africa’ presents the results of lessons learned towards the sustainable conservation of these key sites.

“This toolkit will be valuable to practitioners interested in biodiversity conservation” —Dr Hazell Shokellu Thompson , Regional Director for BirdLife in Africa

All stages of the IBA Programme are covered, from identification and monitoring, to undertaking conservation action through to training and development. “The toolkit is published in both English and French, as a resource aimed primarily at supporting BirdLife Partners and other conservationists to apply the IBA approach in identifying, monitoring and safeguarding sites that are critical to the conservation of birds and biodiversity”, remarked Dr Julius Arinaitwe, BirdLife’s Regional IBA Programme Manager.

The IBA Toolkit was produced by the BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat and funded by the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation. In launching the toolkit, Mette Fabricius Skov - Director of the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation - remarked that her organisation was: “proud to be associated with BirdLife International”.

“BirdLife wishes to thank the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation for the generous support, not only towards the production of the toolkit, but also to other key programmes of BirdLife’s conservation and livelihoods work” added Dr Thompson.