Friends of the IBA

Friends of the Washington County Grasslands IBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to raise awareness of state endangered Short-eared Owls and other at-risk birds of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area, or IBA, and conserve their habitat.

Friends of the IBA founded and organizes fun and educational events like Winter Raptor Fest in Fort Edward and Raptor Rapture at the New York State Museum in Albany to create interest in and excitement about our at risk grassland birds and their habitat. Field trips and guided walks offer residents and visitors the chance to see and explore the IBA - and perhaps encounter some of these amazing birds for themselves!

MISSION & GOALS: We are working with interested landowners, other nonprofits and state and federal agencies to conserve or acquire critical lands in the IBA from willing owners. Our planned eco-friendly Grassland Bird Interpretive Center will improve the quality of life for local residents while retaining the rural character of the community. The Center will allow us to expand educational programs, activities, trails and recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors and serve as a focus of bird and nature-related tourism to the region.