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The Niagara River: A Globally Significant Important Bird Area.
The Niagara River Corridor Globally Significant Important Bird Area was designated in 1996, led by an international partnership of government agencies, state and local governments, not for profit and community groups, and individual stakeholders. The Niagara River, actually a strait, flows along an approximate 32 mile/60 km waterway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, including Niagara Falls. The dramatic and unique place known for its tremendous biodiversity is habitat for numerous species of native vegetation, fish, insects, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds of global significance. This includes arctic and neotropical birds that use this corridor as a hemispheric resource during all season migrations. In addition to the abundance of nature found here since the last ice-age, this IBA faces significant threats. Over 200 years of human development including over a century of industrial, agricultural, and urban development have seriously scarred the waters, shorelines and adjacent lands. Today, sprawl and development from Lake Erie-Buffalo's Outer Harbor and Waverly Woods in Fort Erie, all the way up the international corridor through dense urban areas including Niagara Falls, Grand Island to the waters of Lake Ontario are in need of serious conservation planning and stewardship. The International Birds on the Niagara Bird Festival pledges to encourage this discussion, lead when necessary, and follow when appropriate. Read an article published in the New York State Education Association's Fall 2021 Newsletter "PATHWAYS" More Information: Audubon New York/Niagara River Corridor IBA Canada/Niagara River Corridor Niagara River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area Canada Friends of Times Beach (Buffalo) IBA Descriptor Niagara River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Canada Pursuing the Ramsar Designation Canada |
Ramsar
Thursday, October 3, 2019, a ceremony was held designating the Niagara River Corridor as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Ramsar is a global treaty supporting the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and related waters. It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the Convention was signed in 1971. Ramsar is an important international designation that identifies the Niagara River as an important coastal fish and wildlife habitats, and a unique ecosystem type in the Great Lakes of North America. Among other wildlife issues, the Niagara provides critical waterfowl habitat that meets criteria for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Click here for the official Ramsar page on the Niagara River Corridor Ramsar designation Key Links Western New York Land Conservancy USFWS Press Release UB Law Canada/NRRAP |