Originally posted in Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin (Dave Henderson) and the Poughkeepsie Journal

Oct. 25, 2014

Audubon New York has announced the designation of Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve in Seneca Falls as an Important Bird Area.

The Important Bird Area program is an international bird conservation initiative with the goal of identifying the most important places for birds and conserving them. IBAs are identified through a collaborative effort among state, national, and international non-governmental conservation organizations, state and federal government agencies, local conservation groups, academics, grassroots environmentalists, and birders.

The 1,100-acres Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve is managed by Seneca Meadows, Inc. and is permanently protected through a conservation easement. The Preserve's diverse wetlands and grasslands are free of non-native or invasive plant species, and include seven miles of hiking, walking and biking trails for observing wildlife.

New York's IBA program began in 1996, and since then Audubon New York has designated additional sites as IBAs and evaluated existing IBAs to ensure they continue to meet the IBA criteria.

For more information on the program, visit NY.Audubon.org. For more information on Seneca Meadows, visit: senecameadows.com.