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Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California

California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS

Come count California Brown Pelicans

Bird enthusiasts in California, Oregon, Washington, and Baja Mexico, are invited to join a West coast-wide effort to count California brown pelicans on Saturday, October 15, 2016 during the last four hours of daylight to help us determine the health of this iconic species. Data collected from this survey will help scientists and researchers understand how threats to the species, like changes in weather patterns and prey availability, could impact pelican populations over the long term. With key prey resources for pelicans at new lows, there has never been a more important time to better understand the status of these birds. 

Citizen Scientists along West Coast to Count Brown Pelicans on Saturday, October 15 to Aid in Conservation of Troubled Seabird
California Brown Pelican Survey

Citizen Scientists along West Coast to Count Brown Pelicans on Saturday, October 15 to Aid in Conservation of Troubled Seabird

— Bird enthusiasts in California, Oregon, Washington, and Baja Mexico, are invited to join a West coast-wide effort to count California brown pelicans on Saturday, October 15, 2016 during the last four hours of daylight to help conservationists determine the health of the iconic species.
Let's ban single-use plastic grocery bags for good in California
Audublog

Plastic bags don't belong in our ecosystem

Brigid McCormack has seen plastic bag pollution in every corner of the state. It's time to ban them for good. Vote Yes on Prop. 67 on Nov. 8.

From the archives of The Condor Journal.

Just how bad is online shopping? There’s a lot to unpack

Is buying it online the worst thing you could do for the environment? Watch the Grist video above to learn more.

Condor chick breaks Pinnacles 100-year nesting drought

Condor #828, shown here at 60 days old, is the first condor to fledge from a nest at Pinnacles National Park in 100 years. Photo: Gavin Emmons, Pinnacles National Park

It had been 100 years since a California Condor chick successfully fledged -- until this year.

Plastic bags are a life-and-death matter for birds

Single-use plastic bags are a life-and-death matter for birds. This video from International Bird Rescue shows just how dangerous bags can be.

Urban Californians' water conservation dropped below 18% in August

From the State Water Resources Control Board:

The State Water Resources Control Board today announced that urban Californians’ monthly water conservation declined to 17.7 percent in August, down from 27 percent savings in August 2015, raising concerns that some water suppliers are abandoning their focus on conservation as California heads into a possible sixth drought year.

“The statewide August conservation results raise questions, and we are examining the data to understand why some areas slipped more than others,” said State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “Are we seeing relaxation of conservation messaging and programs, or are we seeing abandonment of programs?  One may be appropriate, the other is not.  It’s a mixed picture.  Many communities who certified that they didn’t ‘need’ to conserve are still conserving up a storm, while others have slipped more than seems prudent.”

​Marcus added: “While last year’s rain and snow brought a respite for urban California, we are still in drought, and we can’t know what this winter will bring. What we do know is that climate change will continue to make our water years even more unpredictable, so we need to retain our conservation habits for the long term, rain or shine, drought or no drought.”

Audubon California endorses Proposition 67
Audublog

Audubon California endorses Proposition 67

— Affirming California’s legislative ban on plastic bags will help both birds and people.

How you can help, right now