The Frontenac Forests area (which includes North and South Otter Lakes) has long been listed as an Important Birding Area (IBA) and has recenlty been identified as a nationally and/or globally significant Key Biodiversity Area (KBA).

The Key Biodiversity Areas Canada Coalition is undertaking a process to identify KBAs across Canada. KBAs are sites that are identified as being important to the persistence of specific species and ecosystems. A KBA delineation does not presume, determine or require any particular management response and does not affect any existing rights or responsibilities pertaining to the area determined to be a KBA. Rather, it highlights a unique or vulnerable place, recognizes the ongoing stewardship that has enabled it to persist, and provides clear information about the value of the site. KBAs constitute a layer of information that can feed into management decisions of any kind, such as land use planning, protected area planning, community or private land stewardship and land use policies.

Currently, Birds Canada is working on a transition from IIBAs to KBAs. While Birds Canada is focusing on identifying which IBAs in Canada will qualify to become KBAs, the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada is working on identifying new KBAs for species other than birds.

For more information on KBAs visit the KBA Canada site, and for specific information about the proposed Frontenac Forests KBA see this page.