LAC LA BICHE IMPORTANT
BIRD AREA
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Download the entire conservation plan (153
KB pdf file)
Lac
La Biche has been recognized as an Important
Bird Area (IBA) as part of international program
spreadheaded by Birdlife International and
is part of the Natural Legacy 2000 program.
The primary Canadian lead partners are the
Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies
Canada (BSC). The provincial lead partner
is the Federation of Alberta Naturalists (FAN).
Lac
La Biche is located in northeastern Alberta
approximately 250 km from Edmonton. It is
loctaed in the Dry Boreal Mixedwood Ecoregion
of Alberta. Lac La Biche Lake is 34 km long
and is the seventh largest lake in Alberta.
There are numerous islands on the east arm
of the lake and many shallow bays, sand and
rock bars, and beaches.
The
lake was first designated as a Bird Sanctuary
in 1920 by the Government of Canada and became
a Provincial Wildlife Anctuary following the
passing of Alberta Natural Resources Act in
1930. Three one Provincial Park ( Sir Winston
Churchill) and two Natural Areas (Black Fox
Island and High (Shorty's) Island), on the
lake. The lake was nominated as an IBA site
because of its large numbers of nesting California
Gulls and Western Grebes. Lac La Biche is
a popular staging and nesting area for shorebirds,
waterfowl, geese, swans, American White Pelicans,
Double-crested Cormorants, Herring Gulls,
Ring-billed Gulls, Great Blue Hurons, Common
Terns, Black Terns, Froster's terns, Red-necked
Grebes and Eared Grebes. The lake is also
important a nesting and production area for
Bald Eagles, Soprey and Great Gray Owls.
The major threats to nesting bird populations
on the lake are shoreline development and
harassment. The conservation plan outlines
a series of objectives and activities necessary
for the conservation and protection of the
nesting sites and nesting habitat along the
shores of Lac La Biche. The plan focuses primarily
on research, monitoring and education. Education
will be the key to gaining support of the
local community and to the protection of the
species mentioned throughout the document.
INTRODUCTION
"The diversity and Abundance of bird species
is the most significant wildlife feature on
and around Lac La Biche" (Alberta Municipal
Affairs, 1982).
Birds are key components in Canada’s ecosystems
and bird populations are often used as indicators
of overall ecosystem health. The conservation
of an area to benefit bird life will also
conserve other plants and animals present
in the areas. The loss and fragmentation of
habitat throughout the Americas over the last
several decades has resulted in measurable
population declines in many bird species in
Canada. The future of Canadian wildlife depends
on our commitment to provide adequate and
good quality habitat throughout their ranges.
(IBA, Conservation Planning Manual, 2000).
This
conservation plan is a guide for the protection,
management and monitoring of the Lac La Biche
Important Bird Area (IBA). The plan is written
for the community by the community. The community
at large will be made aware of the program
and encouraged to participate whenever possible.
The IBA Committee is made up of members from
the Lac La Biche Birding Society. The members
all share a common bond with regard to wildlife
and natural heritage values of the area. The
members also possess considerable knowledge
and expertise in regard to these conservation
issues and historical information. The plan
will reflect the hopes and aspirations for
the protection of the area’s resources and
the protection of bird habitats on Lac La
Biche.
The Conservation plan involves setting goals
and objectives for managing resources and
working with people to meet those goals. IBA
Conservation planning is an open-ended, iterative
process, and the plan will continue to develop
and evolve, the success dependent on the interest
and involvement of the local community. The
goal of the IBA Conservation Planning process
is to create a conservation plan that will
stimulate local stakeholders and the communities
that they live in to take “ownership” of the
site and actively participate in site conservation.
