Wisconsin Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites that provide essential habitat to one or more species of birds at any stage in their life cycle (breeding, feeding, wintering, or migration). Sites may vary in size but are usually discrete and distinguishable in character, habitat, or ornithological importance from surrounding areas. They may include public or private land...

The Ozaukee County IBAs are Harrington Beach and Ozaukee-Bight Lakeshore Migration Corridors, as well as the Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area. A full-color book featuring detailed descriptions and photographs of 86 Wisconsin Important Bird Areas can be purchased through the IBA Coordinator at ryans.brady@wisconsin.gov or (715) 685-8585.

Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs)

98 cents out of every dollar generated from the sale of the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) goes directly to purchase or lease wetland and upland habitat critical to waterfowl and other wildlife...

Ozaukee County has four WPAs that are managed by the Leopold Management District of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

How to Help Birds

At Home

• Help migrants find safe winter homes by waking up with shade-grown coffee
• Conserve water and electricity
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Recycle plastic six-pack rings and plastic bags
• Hang bird silhouettes in large windows
• Buy “green” paper and wood products from forests that were harvested sustainably
• Learn about the native flora and fauna in your region
• Keep your cat indoors and spay or neuter

Create Backyard Habitat

• Provide food with native plants and feeders
• Remove invasive plant species
• Furnish clean water
• Leave tree snags and brush piles for shelter
• Supply nest sites and boxes

Think Before You Spray

• Exercise prevention first
• Use non-chemical controls such as weeding and mulching
• Use low-impact pesticides

In Your Community

• Make gas mileage and low emissions important criteria in buying a car
• Buy a duck stamp to support habitat conservation
• Participate in citizen science
• Support conservation organizations
• Donate old binoculars and field guides
• Volunteer at a refuge or park
• Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day
• Get involved in community land use planning
• Take political action
• Think about the many ways that birds have enriched your life and share them with others