These are sites that are exceptional for birdwatching activities in New Jersey. There are no numerical criteria for judging Important Birding Areas.  Rather, a committee of expert birders, naturalists, and ecotourism experts will review all nominations from the public and choose sites that represent the best birding opportunities in the state.  Birding area selection will be based on many factors, and the goal is to choose sites providing the best overall experience for an average birder.

To view a map of NJ's Important BIRDING Areas, click here.

Important: The IBBA nomination documents below are in Adobe Acrobat's Portable Document Format (PDF).  To view these files you will need Acrobat Reader, which is free software available from the Adobe Website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

After downloading the software, be sure to FIRST view a map of NJ's Important Birding Areas by clicking here.

Once you know that your site is not on the map, print and read the Nomination Form Guidelines from the link below:

Important Birding Area Nomination Form Guidelines

Then - Open the Important Bird Area Nomination Form document below and complete and print it out:

Important Birding Area Nomination Form

You may also need the documents below printed and available while you are completing the nomination form:

Sources of Information

Working with Landowners

Check out NJAS’s New Birding and Wildlife Trails Project!
Those nominating sites for New Jersey’s Important Birding Areas should also be aware of the Birding and Wildlife Trails project. Your Important Birding Area nomination form can also be considered for inclusion in the Delaware Bayshore Birding and Wildlife Trails initiative if the site is located in Cape May, Cumberland or Salem County. For more information, contact Lillian Armstrong, Director of Birding and Wildlife Trails, 609-861-0700, ext. 22.