Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
95.05
Grantee:
College of William and Mary - Center for Conservation Biology
Project Title:
Synthesizing Information for the Virginia Important Bird Area Program: Phase II Western Shore to Fall Line
Project Description as Proposed:
The Important Bird Areas (IBA) program is a science-based initiative to identify, conserve, and monitor sites that provide essential habitat for bird populations. Developed in Europe, the program has expanded to become an international network of conservation sites. Under this initiative, sites that are critical for the long-term survival of bird populations have been identified across the globe using internationally agreed upon criteria. The quality and effectiveness of this conservation network depends directly on the information resources and expertise used in its development. The Center for Conservation Biology is one of the largest producers of information resources in the mid-Atlantic region that are used for avian conservation. The Center maintains more than 200 historic databases on birds of conservation concern and staff collectively have more than 100 years of experience working with birds in coastal Virginia.
The National Audubon Society with funding from the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries and other groups has recently established an IBA program in Virginia. The purpose of this program is to identify, establish, and work toward the conservation of locations of importance to birds in Virginia. In addition, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program is developing an internet mapping system to allow anyone to view data resource layers showing the best remaining blue and green infrastructure sites within Virginia’s defined coastal zone. Important Bird Areas defined through this project will be added to this internet mapping system.
The primary objective of this project is to utilize existing information resources to delineate important bird areas in coastal Virginia. Phase I of the project (FY 04 Task 93.05) covers the Eastern Shore peninsula and southern portions of Tidewater Virginia (southeast of the James River). This Phase II of the project will cover Virginia’s coastal zone north of the James River. Information resources will be identified, compiled, and synthesized in order to place geographic locations within the appropriate local, regional, and national context in terms of their importance to bird species of conservation concern. Sub-objectives include 1) to delineate boundaries of IBAs based on available information resources, 2) to nominate areas determined to meet biological criteria to the IBA technical committee for consideration/approval as IBAs, and 3) to produce fact sheets describing approved IBAs.
An advisory committee with representatives from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Department of Conservation & Recreation/Division of Natural Heritage, Virginia Audubon and the Virginia Coastal Zone Program will provide guidance throughout the project period.
Federal Funding:
$28,976
Project Contact:
Bryan E. Watts, (757) 221-2247; bdwatt@wm.edu
Project Status:
6/1/2006 - 9/30/2006
Final Product Received:
"Synthesizing Information Resources for the Virginia Important Bird Area Program: Phase II Western Shore." 78 pages.
Entire Final Report (pdf)
Chapters:
Western Shore Marshes Important Bird Area
James River Tidal Fresh Important Bird Area
Pamunkey and Mattaponi Rivers Important Bird Area
Potomac River Tidal Fresh Important Bird Area
Rappahannock River Tidal Fresh Important Bird Area
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
