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Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California

California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS

California legislators should pick up where they left off last year on climate change
Audublog

Legislators should pick up where they left off last year on climate change

Audubon California Executive Director Brigid McCormack notes that birds and communities are still at risk.

Looking for birds and budding birders on the Google campus
Audublog

Looking for birds and budding birders on the Google campus

Google employees are finding new ways to connect to nature at work and at home through a collaboration with Audubon California and our Bay Area chapters.

Speaking in support of Measure AA in Alviso Marina Park

Ariana Rickard, Coastal Chapter Network Manager, spoke at a press event about why Audubon California supports Measure AA, the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area parcel tax to restore wetlands. 

If approved by voters in June, “Yes on Measure AA for a Clean and Healthy Bay” would raise $500 million over 20 years to fund critical conservation and flood protection projects, including the restoration of 15,000 acres of wetlands and creation of 25 miles of new Bay trails. Co-Chaired by Senator Dianne Feinstein, the campaign has received endorsement from local elected officials, and business, environmental, labor, philanthropic and civic leaders.

It shouldn't come down to Barred Owls versus Spotted Owls

Our Andrea Jones spoke with the Associated Press about the importance of safeguarding habitat for Northern Spotted Owl. Audubon California believes that it should never come down to killing one bird to help another. Old-growth habitat destruction is to blame for pitting the two owls against each other. Read the article here: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/owls-706151-spotted-barred.html.

Wes Craven honored by former Audubon colleagues
Audublog

Wes Craven honored by former Audubon colleagues

Audubon California dedicates library in honor of the legendary filmmaker who supported the cause of birds until his passing last August.

High Country News covers Audubon California's work to monitor and mitigate drought

Yolo Audubon Society drought monitors.

High Country News interviewed Audubon California's Working Lands Director, Meghan Hertel, about the program's work to support birds in the Central Valley. Six chapters participate by volunteering their time to survey birds at wildlife refuges located in their area. You can read the piece here: http://www.hcn.org/articles/the-disappearing-wetlands-in-californias-central-valley

Short-term pollutants bill highlights connections between air pollution, public health, and climate change

After debuting his legislation at the Paris Climate Talks last year, California State Sen. Ricardo Lara last week introduced a new bill that would greatly reduce short-term air pollutants such as black carbon, fluorinated gases, and methane by 2030. Senate Bill 1383 would require the State Air Resourced Board to to "approve and implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants to achieve a reduction in methane by 40%, hydrofluorocarbon gases by 40%, and anthropogenic black carbon by 50% below 2013 levels by 2030."

Audubon California is watching this bill closely because we understand that these pollutants are driving climate change while also creating immediate public health challenges for communities. Audubon research shows that 170 California bird species are threatened by climate change. Moreover, this same air pollution that creates public health problems in people also creates immediate health issues for birds and habitat.

2016 Owens Lake Bird Festival - April 22-24, 2016

Join Friends of the Inyo and our partners for the second annual Owens Lake Bird Festival in Lone Pine, CA. The festival will celebrate migrating shorebirds as they move between hemispheres at Owens Lake Important Bird Area and will highlight the significance of the Owens Lake story and the return of a threatened habitat.

Preregistration opens February 1 at 2 pm to all Friends of the Inyo members. Join Friends of the Inyo to gain access. Open registration for the public begins February 15. 

Event details:

Friday, April 22, 2016- Sunday, April 24, 2016

Tickets: $60.00, students $30, children 12 and under free. Registration includes Friday evening reception, Owens Lake field trips on Saturday and Sunday and continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday

Optional Items: Saturday sack lunch $12, Saturday dinner $25.00, T-shirt $20.00

Friday evening: reception at the Western Film History Museum at 6:00 pm.
Saturday: morning and afternoon trips around Owens Lake.
Saturday evening: dinner reception at Statham Hall in Lone Pine at 5:00 pm with the presentation "Owens Lake- Its New Role in the Flyway" by keynote speaker Debbie House.
Sunday: morning trips on Owens Lake followed by casual lunch in Lone Pine Park.

Register Here

Highlights from the Christmas Bird Count 2015
Audublog

Highlights from the Christmas Bird Count 2015

The 116th Christmas Bird Count field season is over and we hope you had a chance to participate in one or more of the counts in your area.

Rare bird alert: Snowy Owl in Humboldt County
Audublog

Rare bird alert: Snowy Owl in Humboldt County

Second one seen in Humboldt County in over 10 years.

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