Bird Conservation Areas
The Bird Conservation Area Program (BCA), signed into law in 1997, is modeled after the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas Program. The BCA program seeks to provide a comprehensive, ecosystem approach to conserving birds and their habitats on state lands and waters, by integrating bird conservation interests in agency planning, management and research projects. These efforts are an important component of our ongoing, collaborative approach to protecting wildlife statewide, increasing public access, and expanding educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
An area can be designated as a BCA if it is judged as important habitat for one or more species. In general, a site is nominated because of its importance to large numbers of waterfowl, pelagic seabirds, shorebirds, wading birds, migratory birds, or because of high species diversity, importance to species at risk, or its importance as a bird research site. To date, statewide, 59 BCAs have been designated, of which 25 are associated with State Parks.
Learn more about the Bird Conservation Area.
Bird Conservation Areas in New York State Parks
In addition to the parks listed below with designated Bird Conservation Areas, our state parks offer rich natural habitats for interesting and unique birds-in fact, more than 300 species of birds call our parks home! For instance, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, a National Audubon Society's Important Bird Area, is home to 180 recorded species of birds and is a must-visit park for birding enthusiasts. Find out more about our Bird Conservation Areas:
- Allegany - Quaker Area
- Allegany- Red House
- Bear Mountain State Park- Iona Island/Doodletown Bird Conservation Area
- Buckhorn Island State Park Bird Conservation
- Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
- Crown Point State Historic Site
- Fahnestock State Park
- Grafton Lakes State Park Bird Conservation Area
- Green Lakes State Park
- Hither Hills State Park -Napeague Bird Conservation Area
- Joseph Davis State Park
- Letchworth State Park
- Mills Norrie State Park (Margaret Lewis Norrie)
- Minnewaska State Park Preserve Bird Conservation Area
- Moreau Lake State Park
- Nissequogue River State Park
- Saratoga Spa State Park Bird Conservation Areas
- Schodack Island's Bird Conservation Areas
- Selkirk Shores State Park
- Sterling Forest State Park
- Thacher State Park (John Boyd Thacher)