Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California
California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS
Great opinion piece from Jimm Edgar of Mount Diablo Audubon in yesterday’s Contra Costa Times:
"Of course, we’ve seen a lot of changes in our own area lately, mostly due to the drought. Hillsides have turned brown early, and there’s little or no water in our streams and very little food for the birds. As a result, we’re not observing some of our favorite birds in the numbers we’ve seen in the past.
Climate change is hitting our birds hard. According to Audubon’s scientists, 170 California species will be threatened with extinction in the coming decades if we fail to take action on climate. Many of these imperiled birds are local favorites, such as the Western Bluebird, Golden Eagle, Brown Pelican, Burrowing Owl and Hooded Oriole."
Yesterday marked the second year of symbolic fencing on Pacifica State Beach. Pacifica Shorebird Alliance works with the City of Pacifica, Sequoia Audubon Society, and Audubon California to create signs and seasonal symbolic fencing for roosting winter Western Snowy Plovers. Many local beach-goers did not realize that there was a federally recognized endangered species on the beach. Symbolic fencing with signs shows people where the main habitat is, and helps educate the public about the importance of providing these birds with a safe space.
The fencing on Pacifica State Beach led to one of the largest wintering populations in recent years — the group has high hopes this year will bring even more birds.
This is a stunner. Groundwater pumping in the San Joaquin Valley has caused some farmland to sink 13 inches in just the last eight months. Other parts of the valley are experiencing the same.
Warmer temperatures in the Central Valley aren't all the result of Mother Nature, according to a new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Some of that is the result of carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.
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