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Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California

California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS

California's wild parrots are an amazing story

Great long piece by KCET looking at California's wild, nonnative parrots.

Restoring coastal sage scrub at the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary. This is how you involve the community in protecting endangered and sensitive birds. Audubon Starr Ranch Junior Biologists recently gathered together to seed new coastal sage scrub on the sanctuary. These plantings by the road will not only help Coastal California Gnatcatchers and other native birds, but will also reduce the potential of fire spreading from vehicular traffic. Most fires spread from roadsides and travel fastest in the "flash" fuels comprised of dried grasses but less rapidly in shrub vegetation.

We will defend the Endangered Species Act
Audublog

We will defend the Endangered Species Act

The ESA has been the most effective conservation tool for protecting birds on the brink. We'll fight any attempt to dismantle it.

For many California communities, fixing air pollution goes right alongside addressing climate

Fascinating piece on NPR about the demand from some Southern California communities that their air pollution problems be addressed alongside climate change policies.

Telling the story of birds in Kern County. Audubon California Renewable Energy Director Garry George on Thursday joined colleagues from The Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Southern Sierra Partnership to advise the Kern County Planning Commission about how to implement conservation in its upcoming General Plan process. Energy development will certainly be part of that plan, and conservation organizations are eager to ensure that the needs of wildlife and habitat are taken into account.

Despite rains, water continues to be a challenge for bird conservation
Audublog

Despite rains, water continues to be a challenge for birds

"One year of rain doesn't erase four years of severe drought."

Audubon at Town Halls: Civic engagement to protect and defend birds
Audublog

Audubon at Town Halls: Civic engagement to protect and defend birds

Mount Diablo Audubon Society at Congressman DeSaulnier’s town halls in Contra Costa County

De León introduces measure calling for 100% renewables by 2045

California oil refinery. Photo: Thomas Hawk

Already on a fast-track to building a reliable renewable energy infrastructure, California may soon set its sights on a future that is totally fossil fuel-free. Last week, right at the deadline for new bills, California State Senate President pro tem Kevin De León introduced legislation that will hasten the state's shift to renewable energy. Senate Bill 584 will push up California's shift to 50% renewables by 2025 (five years sooner than our current goals) and 100% by 2045.

Feds should sustain ban on lead ammo in wildlife areas
Audublog

Feds should sustain ban on lead ammo in wildlife areas

California led the way on removing hazard of lead ammunition from the environment. Federal government should follow suit.

San Joaquin Valley floor still falling due to groundwater pumping

We've talked about this before, but pumping from aquifers under the San Joaquin Valley is continuing to cause the valley floor to sink significantly:

Ground levels in some areas have dropped 1 to 2 feet in the last two years, creating deeper and wider “bowls” that continue to threaten the vital network of channels that transport water across Southern California, researchers say.

The findings underscore the fact that even as record rain and snow have brought much of California out of severe drought, some parts of the state will probably struggle with water problems for years to come.

How you can help, right now