Dedicated in 2015, the Lake Sugema-Lacey-Keosauqua Bird Conservation Area (BCA) occupies a total of 51,492 acres in south-central Van Buren County. This unique landscape is comprised of 43% grassland, 35% woodland, and 5% aquatic habitat, which supports a spectacular amount of wildlife diversity. With 18% of the land in some form of permanent protection, the existence of this valuable habitat is guaranteed for years to come. Out of the 251 bird species documented thus far, 81 are Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), including four state-listed endangered and two state-listed threatened species. The grasslands in this BCA support declining nesting species such as Henslow’s Sparrow (threatened), Northern Harrier (endangered), Eastern Meadowlark, and Bobolink. Wooded areas provide key habitat for the Red-shouldered Hawk (endangered), Wood Thrush, Acadian Flycatcher, and the globally important Cerulean Warbler. Savanna habitat supports the Red-headed Woodpecker and the Barn Owl (endangered). Species like the Bell’s Vireo, Yellow and Black-billed Cuckoos, and Loggerhead Shrike prefer shrub habitat, which is also found within this BCA. In addition, the diverse habitat in this area provides important stopover locations for migrating species including the Canada and Bay-breasted warblers, American Golden Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Stilt Sandpiper.