The Natural History Research and Museum Center at the University of Baghdad, with the support and guidance of the Center’s Director, Assistant Professor Dr. Hanaa Hani Al-Saffar, organized a workshop entitled “Important Bird Areas in Iraq” on Sunday, April 5, 2026. The workshop was facilitated by Assistant Lecturer Ali Kamel Wanas and presented by Assistant Lecturer Khalida Ibrahim Hassoun.
The Key Biodiversity Areas program is a project undertaken by the Iraqi Ministry of Environment in cooperation with Nature Iraq. It aims to identify, document, and protect a group of ecologically important sites in Iraq based on their biodiversity. The project began in 2004 and included field research, monitoring, awareness and advocacy campaigns, initiatives, and legal management and protection plans at both the national and international levels. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are global bird sites.
The workshop aimed to introduce the important bird areas in Iraq and encourage their conservation. IBA criteria include species with limited range, species restricted by ecosystem, and large bird populations. IBAs, also known as Important Bird Areas, are sites of significant importance for the conservation of bird species, identified through the IBA program. The workshop’s recommendations included establishing protected areas, strengthening monitoring programs, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing, and raising environmental awareness.
We wish all the faculty members of our center continued success in serving the community, science, and knowledge.
