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Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California
California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS
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.
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.
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.
You never know what you're going to find when you're banding birds. Last week at the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary, we came across a recaptured California Towhee that is at least 10 years old. This individual was originally banded in December of 2008 as an AHY. It's a little battered, but for such an old bird, it is in fantastic shape. Let's hope it is getting ready to breed and perhaps we'll be lucky enough to catch it again next year. The oldest California Towhee on record was just over 12 years old.
If you were looking for proof that nature enthusiasts can make an impact on conservation, this story about Patagonia flexing its muscle in Utah on the issue of public lands is probably it.
Visiting with Egret Wines in Sonoma. Last week, we paid a great visit to Egret Wines, which has been a sponsor of Audubon California since last year. While touring the vineyard and winemaking facility, we talked about how we might work together to help birds on the land. We even saw a Great Egret. Pictured, left to right, Audubon California Executive Director Brigid McCormack, Egret Wines Founder John Bambury, and Audubon California's Garrison Frost.
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