News

Latest News and Updates from Audubon in California

California Condor. Photo: Scott Frier/USFWS

News coverage of annual Waterbird Festival at Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary

Great coverage in the Marin IJ of the Saturday's annual Waterbird Festival at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary.

Outgoing administration calls for phasing out of lead ammo/tackle on federal wildlife areas

Golden Eagle in flight. Photo: USFWS/Tom Koerner

In the midst of the transition from one administration to another, the outgoing leadership of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued a significant directive that could have profound benefits for birds and other wildlife. In a Jan. 19 direction, the Service called for the phasing out of the use of lead ammunition and lead fish tackle on all Service lands by January of 2022. While this policy direction could be reversed by the new administration, for the time being it is the policy of the federal government. Audubon California partnered with several other groups in 2013 to pass legislation calling for the use of nonlead ammunition for hunting in California. Lead ammunition has been linked to poisoned birds and mammals by the scientific community.

Next step in CA Condor recovery could be on the north coast

Photo: USFWS

It has been a long haul, but it looks like the effort led by the Yurok Tribe to reintroduce the California Condor to its historical range on California's north coast is gaining steam. This week, federal agencies annouced a series of public hearings to take testimony on their plan to introduce condors to Redwood National Park.

Humboldt Bay Harbor District fails to approve environmental review for oyster farming expansion

In something of a surprise, the Humboldt Bay Harbor District last night failed to come up with the three votes necessary to approve an expansion of oyster farming in the bay. Audubon California has opposed this project because it will destroy eelgrass beds that provide critical habitat for all kinds of migratory birds. We're fairly certain they'll come back for another attempt -- and we'll be ready.

Wildlife conservationists cheer Gov. Brown’s call for sustainable funding
Press Center

Wildlife conservationists cheer Gov. Brown’s call for sustainable funding

— 2017-18 budget proposal highlights importance of finding a solution for a “state with more biodiversity than any other”

Rains helping Mono Lake right when it needs it the most

Mono Lake is an important place for birds, and it has been teetering lately as a result of declining water levels. That's changing with these recent rains, notes the Los Angeles Times.

Pacific herring are spawning in San Francisco Bay and the birds are loving it
Audublog

Pacific herring are spawning in San Francisco Bay and the birds are loving it

Herring are critical food for Pacific Flyway birds in our urban estuary.

Apparently, Black Swans in Australia enjoy a little surfing now and again.

Anybody going to the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival?

More information here.

Audubon California’s new Salton Sea director brings local experience to effort to preserve critical bird habitat
Salton Sea

Audubon California’s new Salton Sea director brings local experience to effort to preserve critical bird habitat

— Frank Ruiz will use his experience in the Imperial Valley to rally support for protecting bird habitat while addressing public health concerns associated with the Salton Sea.

How you can help, right now