For Immediate Release: November 18, 2003

Contact: , American Bird Conservancy, 202/234-7181 ext. 207

New Book Identifies, For the First Time, the 500 Most Important Bird Areas in the United States

THE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY GUIDE TO THE 500 MOST IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES (Random House Trade Paperbacks; Publication Date November 18, 2003) identifies for the first time the most significant places for birds and bird conservation in all 50 States.

Unlike a field guide that focuses on species, this book identifies and describes places essential to rare, declining, or migrating birds. Each entry includes the reason the site was chosen, its ownership particulars, visitor information, and a detailed account of habitats, species, and conservation issues specific to the site. Organizing the United States into 35 ornithological regions, it provides a thorough index to facilitate easy cross-referencing by state, species, and sites. A complete list of all the sites is available at www.abcbirds.org/iba/sitelist.htm

The book's distinctive approach is designed to complement, not duplicate, ultra-successful field guides such as the Sibley and Peterson guides, offering birdwatchers, conservationists, and land managers information never before compiled in one volume. Acting as both a conservation compendium and a travel guide for the best places to go birding, it is an indispensable addition to any nature enthusiast's library.

Included in the top 500 sites are some of the country's most well-known National Parks, such as Yosemite and Great Smoky Mountains; 170 National Wildlife Refuges and National Seashores; National Monuments such as Organ Pipe Cactus; and hundreds of state, local, and privately-owned sites. With this book, American Bird Conservancy aims to draw attention to all of these sites and their importance to birds. It is also hoped that greater public recognition will help site managers in their quest for better funding, and in some cases, better protection for birds.