Nature Association
BirdLife International
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Important Bird Areas (IBA) concept focuses on those bird species for which designation of habitats would be significant. These are species having crucial relationships with certain areas of the world. These areas are not only important for birds but also for biodiversity as a whole. Therefore, conservation of those sites is crucial in Nature Conservation perspective.

Birdlife International produced the most recent update report of Turkish IBAs in 2002, resulting in 161 IBAs. Currently there are 6 known IBAs in the BTC Pipeline Region: Lake Bostankaya, Lake Ulas, Erzurum Plateau, Yumurtalik lagoons, Ardahan Forest and Lake Aygir. However, the region is expected to include more IBAs.

Nature Association is working with local birdwatchers, called IBA Caretakers, in order to monitor and conserve IBAs. The network of caretakers plays crucial role for that aim throughout the country as they are living by the sites. The existing caretaker groups are situated in Kayseri and Adana. There is indeed a gap in the distribution of caretaker groups similar to the suite of IBAS. For sustainable monitoring of expanding IBA networks in eastern Anatolia, particularly in the Project region, the caretaker network has to expand likewise.

The project, which aims to establish a basis for conservation of IBAs throughout the BTC pipeline region, will be carried out by Nature Association, BirdLife International and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Nature Association is the organization to conserve nature and biodiversity as a whole in Turkey and elsewhere and raise awareness among the public. The Society supports living in harmony with nature and works to offer solutions to problems caused by destruction of our world's nature day by day. In order to achieve its goal Nature Association is executing projects on Important Bird Areas and priority species such as Bald Ibis and Great Bustard together with the local people. Moreover, Nature Association is producing site protection policies in a higher level as well as environmental education activities in a wider perspective. The Society has holistic, local, hopeful and friendly approaches as its principles. Nature Association will execute the following two projects and will be leading the consortium of BirdLife International and Royal Society for the Profection of Birds.

BirdLife International is a partnership of independent conservation organizations with a special focus on birds, working in more than 100 countries. BirdLife is the leading authority on the status of birds, their habitats and the issues and problems affecting bird life around the world. BirdLife International Partnership works on shared priorities and programmes for conservation action, exchanging skills, achievements and information and promotes sustainable living as a means of conserving birds and other forms of biodiversity.

The RSPB works for wildlife and the environment across the UK. It is one of the Europe's largest wildlife conservation charity with more than a million members. The RSPS works for a healthy environment rich in birds and wildlife. The RSPB:

The project will ensure establishment of a basis for conservation of Important Bird Areas throughout the BTC pipeline region.