(November 2007, #015)

For Immediate Release

CHADDS FORD, PA — Forty-two thousand acres in Chester County, Pennsylvania, have been designated an "Important Bird Area" (IBA) by Audubon Pennsylvania, the state office of the National Audubon Society. Located between Coatesville, Unionville and Marshallton, the area contains the largest contiguous tract of permanently preserved land in the Philadelphia region and hosts several species of grassland-nesting birds whose populations are decreasing.

Two of the species found in the area were featured earlier this year on the National Audubon Society's list of "Common Birds in Decline." Eastern Meadowlark and Grasshopper Sparrow populations have dropped 72% and 65%, respectively, since 1966. "The Laurels, King Ranch and Stroud Important Bird Area," as it is now officially titled, is vital in maintaining these and other vulnerable species.

Within the designated area, 25,800 acres have been permanently protected. The Brandywine Conservancy has protected more than 20,000 acres. Natural Lands Trust has protected approximately 3,000 acres. County governments, municipal governments and other land trusts have protected 2,800 acres.

Many species of grassland-nesting birds require expansive tracts of open land to nest. The agricultural- and equestrian-based landscape of the Laurels, King Ranch and Stroud IBA provides ample meadows, hayfields and pastures to support such species. In addition, forests, wetlands and serpentine barrens in the area provide biological diversity and necessary habitat for species such as Wood Thrush, Willow Flycatcher and Blue-winged Warbler.

The designation will help focus future conservation efforts on the most biologically significant resources of the area. It will also raise public awareness of the importance of the area for many of the vulnerable bird species.

The Laurels, King Ranch and Stroud IBA derives its name from a former major cattle operation and two wildlife preserves. For many years, much of the land was owned by the legendary King Ranch of Texas and was used to fatten cattle before they were shipped to market. In 1984, a limited partnership conceived by the Brandywine Conservancy was formed to buy the King Ranch's Chester County property and save it from development. After placing conservation easements on 4,600 acres, the partnership gave the remaining 771 acres to the Brandywine Conservancy to establish the Laurels Preserve.

Other protected land in the area includes the Stroud Preserve. The preserve was formed in 1990 through the generosity of Dr. Morris Stroud who bequeathed his 332-acre farm to Natural Lands Trust. Additional land acquisitions have expanded the preserve to 574 acres.

The Brandywine Conservancy and Natural Lands Trust have implemented bird-friendly management practices at the preserves. Meadows are not mowed until mid-July or early August to offer sufficient time for birds to raise their young. Forested buffers have been re-established along streams at both preserves to improve water quality and provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The Important Bird Area Program was initiated in Europe during the 1980s by BirdLife International. Since then, over 8,000 IBAs have been designated in 178 countries. The National Audubon Society administers the IBA program in the United States and, to date, has designated over 2,100 IBAs. The Laurels, King Ranch and Stroud IBA is the 85th site in Pennsylvania. All IBAs in Pennsylvania must be approved the Pennsylvania Biological Survey's Ornithological Technical Committee, a panel of top bird experts.

For more information about the Brandywine Conservancy, call 610-388-2700 or visit www.brandywineconservancy.org. For more information about Natural Lands Trust, call 610-353-5587 or visit www.natlands.org. For more information about Audubon Pennsylvania, call 610-666-5593 or visit pa.audubon.org.