For Immediate UseContact: Garrison Frost
November 8, 2007(323) 951-9620

Emeryville, CA – Representatives of Audubon California today called for an extensive clean-up of yesterday’s 58,000 gallon oil spill in the San Francisco Bay and demanded preventative measures to protect one of the planet’s most precious ecosystems from future accidents.

“The waters and shores of the bay provide critical habitat for thousands of species, including threatened or endangered birds and other wildlife,” said Gary Langham, director of bird conservation for Audubon California. “The bay is also an important stopover for migrating species, so the ramifications from an accident like this could be massive.”

“It is vital that the damage from this accident be properly mitigated, and additional safeguards put in place to ensure that this invaluable ecosystem is never again threatened in this manner,” Langham added.

The entire San Francisco Bay was designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon California in 2004, and an Important Bird Area of Global Significance by the National Audubon Society. It was given this high designation because major concentrations of migratory and wintering shorebirds and waterfowl – many of which are threatened or endangered species – come to the bay each year. San Francisco Bay is host to the largest shorebird concentration in the West.

Audubon California has offered its resources to the clean-up efforts, and has encouraged its local chapters in the area to lend a hand as well. Those wishing to help out in the clean-up should call the Oiled Wildlife Hotline at (877) 823-6926.

Audubon California and other conservation organizations are currently assessing the damage to the bay from this spill. Of particular concern to Audubon California is the Richardson Bay Nature Center and Preserve in Tiburon, which is home to a number of bay restoration projects that would be severely impacted if oil spreads that far.

“We don’t know the extent of the damage to the bay at this point, but we need to make sure that the resources are available to keep this from being a disaster for the critical habitat areas and wildlife,” Langham said.

About Audubon California

Audubon California is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of Audubon. This relationship links Audubon California to a national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engaging millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.

More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.